Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- house_documents:constitutions:toadlane [2019/06/09 10:26] – created itadmin
+++ house_documents:constitutions:toadlane [2025/12/25 08:54] (current) – Added a parking and room policy as well as made minor edits to the guest policy. eo_toadlane
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-=====The Shire Constitution=====
+===== Toad Lane Cooperative Constitution =====
 <WRAP center round box 68%>
-**Preamble - Brief Synopsis**
+**Preamble:**
-The Shire Housing Cooperative (subsequently described as “the cooperative”) is a member-owned housing cooperative that has existed since the purchase of the property of 5473 Okemos Road, East Lansing, by Rivendell Cooperative House in December of 2011.   In September 2017 The Shire became a member of Michigan State University Student Housing Cooperative (MSU SHC)
+Toad Lane Co-op was established for the purpose of teaching, learning, and living in cooperation with each other and the community. Toad Lane is guided by these cooperative principles:
-As a cooperative, members (occupants) take partial ownership of the property and are expected to contribute to the maintenance and upkeep of their respective house during the duration of their stay. Members strive to pursue a low-impact, ecologically-friendly lifestyle. As a member residents are expected to fully participate in the decision making process as it pertains to the health of the cooperative. All decisions made by the cooperative will be reached through consensus; that is, all members of the cooperative must agree on any changes or policies adopted by the cooperative.  All members of the cooperative hold equal standing in the decision-making process.
+  - **1.** Membership is open to all, without social, political, gender, ethnic, or sexual orientation discrimination.
+  - **2.** Democratic decision making, one person = one vote.
+  - **3.** Limited interest, if any, on capital placed with the house.
+  - **4.** Savings distributed equally, or placed for the further development of the house.
+  - **5.** Constant education of members in co-op principles and methods.
+  - **6.** Cooperation with other cooperatives.
 </WRAP>
-====Article 1 - Adherence to Member Agreement, Bylaws, and Cooperative Policies====
-Members of The Shire Housing Cooperative agree to adhere to the policies and practices established in the Member Agreement, the cooperative’s Bylaws, and all policies (whether verbal or written) established by the cooperative. A signed copy of this agreement for each member, as well as all other written cooperative policies, will be kept in an accessible location within the house. Any changes to the Member Agreement, Bylaws, or other cooperative policies (either verbal or written) must be approved by the membership through consensus.
-If a member fails to adhere to the  policies and practices established by the cooperative, the cooperative reserves the right to  levy any penalties against the member subsequently described in this document.  Contingent on the severity of the situation, the cooperative also reserves the right to hold a meeting with any member found to be in violation of the Member Agreement to discuss the member’s continued residency and membership in the cooperative.
+====ARTICLE 1. NAME AND PURPOSE====
+  - **1.** This cooperation shall be known as Toad Lane Cooperative. Toad Lane is also the name of the street in Rochdale, England where the first cooperative was located.
+  - **2.** The purpose of this organization shall be to create a close bond of friendship through working together to provide living facilities at moderate cost.
+====ARTICLE II. MEMBERSHIP====
+  - **1.** Membership shall consist of residents who have met requirements outlined in the SHC Code of Operations and Membership Contract.
+  - **2.** Membership shall be open to anyone who desires to live in and promote the cooperative environment and is able to meet the financial requirements.
+====ARTICLE III. RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES====
+  - **1. Rights**
+  - Security in your home, access to house and SHC financial records, vote and voice opinions, a clean house, improve and change the house, be heard and listened to, your own privacy and space, capable officers, critique problems in house, independence.
+  - **2. Responsibilities**
+  - Lock doors and windows, pay member charges, attend meetings, contribute labor, be open to other members ideas, hear and listen to others, respect other's privacy and space, talk to and support officers, work for creative solutions, encourage personal responsibility within the house.
+  - **3.** All members have equal rights and responsibilities regardless of seniority.
+====ARTICLE IV. WORK REQUIREMENTS AND JOBS====
+  - **1.** The house jobs and officer positions will be divided as evenly as possible among the members at the first house meeting of each MSU semester. Officer positions must be elected by a simple majority of all members present.
+  - **2.** House officer positions consist of: Board of Directors representative, Treasurer, Education officer, Membership officer, Maintenance officer, Students of Color Committee representative. (Job descriptions can be found in the SHC Code of Operations)
+  - **3.** All house duties such as cleaning bathrooms, taking out the garbage, yard work, etc. for each member shall be voted and agreed upon in a house meeting. All members may bring up in a meeting if they think another member is doing their duty incorrectly and/or untimely. If it is deemed untimely and/or incorrect then a vote will determine if they get another chance, if the duties should change, or if a fine should be placed.
+====ARTICLE V. GOVERNANCE====
+  - **1.** A house meeting must be held every Sunday at 8 unless voted otherwise. New dates will be chosen at the first house meeting which will be held within one week of the move-in date/new semester.
+  - **2.** At the start of each meeting, members may decide amongst themselves who will be the facilitator for that meeting.
-====Article 2 - Adherence to Cooperative Principles====
+  - **3.** At least 51% of all current house members must be present at a meeting for it to be considered valid. All votes must have at least 51% of all members in favor to pass.
-Members of Rivendell Housing Cooperative agree to adhere to the cooperative principles adopted by the International Cooperative Alliance in 1995 (see: [[http://www.nasco.coop/node/22]]):
--Voluntary and open membership
+  - **4.** Special house meetings -may be called in cases of extreme emergency or lack of house attendance at a regular house meeting by any Toad Lane member. At these meetings, votes can be passed by 50% of members present at the meeting, (Proxy votes accepted) Special meeting agenda must be posted at least 48 hours prior to meeting.
--Democratic member control
--Member economic participation
--Autonomy and independence
--Education, training and information
--Cooperation among cooperatives
--Concern for community
-====Article 3 - Non-Discrimination Policy====
+  - **5. Impeachment** -any house officer can be removed from position for non performance or poor performance of duties. A 3/5 vote is necessary and charges must be posted on meeting agenda for at least 48 hours before meeting.
-The Shire Housing Cooperative will not discriminate against any member or potential member in regard to race, ethnic background, religion, national or political affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, weight, or disability. Families with children and pets within reason are welcome too. Any person capable of fulfilling their responsibilities to the cooperative may apply to become a member without discrimination.
+  - **6. Fines and Penalties** -will be decided on by the members of the house at the first house meeting or with a quorum approval (quorum is equal to 50% plus one of current membership) Members may decide to fine each other for late payments of rent, incomplete house jobs or responsibilities, etc.
-====Article 4 - Safer Space and Sexual Harassment Policy====
+====Article VI. MISCELLANEOUS====
-====Article 5 - Membership Dues and Responsibilities====
+  - **1. Work Holiday** -Every semester the maintenance coordinator will organize a work holiday to be completed by a date set by the house Each member must complete one three to five hour project.
-**Membership Fees & Shares + Dues**\\
+  - **2. Meal Plan** -Toad Lane will not offer a meal plan; however, those desiring a meal plan can request to be a part of New Community's
-Members of The Shire Housing Cooperative agree to pay a monthly membership fee (rent) of $xx.xx per month, due on the first of each month.
-The membership fee covers housing, utilities, and  internet access. At the discretion of the cooperative, the fee may also cover house food.
-The monthly membership fee may be raised as needed through a decision arrived at by consensus of the MSU SHC.
-Shares & Dues are to be paid to MSU SHC prior to move in.
+  - **3. Smoking** -Smoking rules will be made at the beginning of each contract period at the first house meeting. No incoming member will be guaranteed a smoking or non-smoking atmosphere until after the vote at the first house meeting.
-**House Hours**\\
+  - **4. Guest Policy** -Guests may only stay at Toad Lane with consent of all members. If a guest stays more than fourteen days or nights in a given semester, he/she will be charged an amount to be decided by the house to help pay for costs. Guest parking is not guaranteed but will be based on a first come, first serve basis.
-Members are required to contribute ____ hours of work per month to the house. House hours include, but are not limited to,  attending house meetings, cleaning common areas, outdoor maintenance, indoor maintenance, house shopping and maintaining house financial records. If a member fails to complete twelve hours of work in a given month they are allowed the following month to make up any missed hours.
-**House Meetings**\\
-Members of The Shire Housing Cooperative will hold regular house meetings between residents of The Shirel. The time and place of the meeting will be agreed upon by the membership and posted via the Google Group and chalkboards in the house.
-Attendance at house meetings is mandatory, excepting instances in which a member is ill, must be at work, or has another important obligation which cannot be rescheduled. If a member must miss a meeting, they should give at least 24 hours notice to the cooperative, except in cases of personal emergency.
-**Physical Maintenance of Cooperative Property**\\
-Members agree to keep both their rooms and common spaces of the house in compliance with any applicable building or fire codes and in good physical condition, excepting normal wear-and-tear to the property. Additionally, members agree to keep common spaces, including the living room, dining area, kitchen, storage space, and laundry area reasonably tidy and clean. If the actions of any cooperative member,  that member’s guests, or that member’s pets  lead to damage to the property beyond normal wear-and-tear, the member agrees to make or pay for any necessary repairs of the property and/or forfeit all or part of their security deposit.
-**Pets**\\
-Members of The Shire Housing Cooperative may have pets in their house given that all other members of the house agree to the presence of the member’s pet.
-**Subletters**\\
-Members of The Shire Housing Cooperative may sublet their room for a designated period of time to another individual given the approval of the other members of the house. Any subletters must go through an interview process similar to that of long-term members. Any subletters must agree to abide by all cooperative policies, including those laid out in the member agreement. Any member who sublets their room accepts responsibility for any actions or damages to cooperative  property carried out by the subletter.
-**Room Assignment**\\
-Room assignment in each house is based on each member’s seniority in the cooperative. Members with seniority get first choice of rooms in the house if a room becomes vacant.
-====Article 6 - OFFICERS====
+  - **5. Drug Policy** -There will be no illegal drugs permitted on property of Toad Lane.
-**BOARD REP:**\\
+  - **6. Pet Policy** -will be decided by the members of the house at the first house meeting. No incoming member will be promised the right to house a pet in Toad Lane, or to live pet free until after the first house meeting.
-The board rep will represent The Shire as SHC board meetings as needed/fitting. The board officer speaks for the house and house decisions.
-**TREASURER:**\\
-The treasurer shall be selected. The duties of the treasurer are as follows:
-  - **A.** Submit a proposed budget for the term one week after the first house meeting. The budget is subject to amendment and approval by a majority vote of the members of the house.
-  - **B.** Maintain the house financial records in an accurate and timely manner. The financial records are to contain revenue and expense journal, revenue receipt book, deposit records, expense receipts for all purchases made by the house, and member accounts.
-  - **C.** Submit a budget variance for the previous term at the first meeting of each term.
-  - **D.** Pay bills for the house on time.
-  - **E.** Collect monies owed to the house.
-  - **F.** Keep the members informed of the status of their accounts and post rent lists in a public place in a timely manner.
-  - **G.** Record fines on member accounts as directed by the facilitator.
-  - **H.** Bring any member's large balance to the attention of the house.
-  - **I.** Represent The Shire at SHC Finance meetings
-**MAINTENANCE:**\\
+  - **7. Party Policy** -See SHC Code of Operations
-The maintenance officer is selected for one term. The duties are:
-  - **A.** Initiate and implement a predictive and preventative maintenance program within the house.
+  - **8. House Meeting Policy** -If a member were to or planned to miss a house meeting, member must give 24 hours notice before said meeting. If late notice is received after 24 hours but received at least 12 hours before the meeting start time, member shall be only fined $5. If late notice is received after 12 hours but received at least an hour before the meeting start time, member shall be only fined $10. If member does not show without notice or gives late notice within an hour of the meeting start time, member shall be fined $15. Fine must be approved at the following house meeting in case the absence was due to an emergency.
-  - **B.** Submit a list of maintenance projects that are to be completed during the term at the second house meeting of the term and every meeting thereafter give a report as to the status of this list.
-  - **C.** Coordinate and supervise work weekends, which are general house maintenance projects. House members become secondary maintenance workers in the house. The head maintenance officer must see that projects are completed within the prescribed time period. Work weekends shall be scheduled within the first two months of the semester at the decision and agreement of the majority of the house.
-  - **D.** Is responsible for preparing the house for any inspections.
-  - **E.** See that fire alarms and extinguishers are functional and fully recharged. A smoke detector inspection shall be done once a term.
-  - **F.** Represent The Shire at SHC Physical Development committee meetings.
-**MEMBERSHIP:**\\
+  - **9. Parking Policy** -Toad Lane has four parking spots, and parking spots will be chosen based on seniority. There is no guarantee that members with a car will have a house parking spot.
-The membership officer is selected for one term. Duties include:
-  - **A.**Maintain the house at full capacity. This may require extensive correspondence with prospective members. The membership officer will arrange house tours and dinners for prospective members. It is suggested that the membership officer use the resources of SHC to aid the membership process.
+  - **10. Room Policy** - There are three bedrooms in Toad Lane, two doubles and one single. Seniority and gender identity are prioritized in room selection, but there is no guarantee of same parts in a room assignment. No member shall be removed from the room they have previously lived in.
-  - **B.** Coordinate room assignments.
-  - **C.** Be responsible for systematically distributing and labeling house keys and room keys to new members and gathering them from departing members.
-  - **D.** Orient new members as to the rules of the house within one week of their arrival.
-  - **E.** Maintain membership records on all current and last year's members. The membership officer is responsible for insuring that a permanent record of all last year's members is kept at the SHC office.
-  - **F.** Maintain a file of forwarding addresses of members that have moved away.
-  - **G.** Coordinate The Shirel involvement in SHC ‘AMPOs.
-  - **H.** Represent The Shirel at SHC Membership Committee Meetings.
-**EDUCATION:**\\
+  - **Harassment Policy** -See SHC Code of Operations
-The education officer is selected for one term. Duties are:
-  - **A.** Submit or collect submissions for the SHC newsletter Pine Press.
+  - **Expulsion Policy** -See SHC Code of Operations
-  - **B.** Educate house and community about SHC and The Shirel.
-  - **C.** Maintain a revised copy of the house constitution.
-  - **D.** Assist Education Committee in coordinating MSU-SHC events.
-  - **E.** Represent The Shire at SHC Education Committee meetings.
-**SECRETARY:**\\
+====Article VII. AMENDMENTS====
-The secretary is selected for one term. Duties include:
-  - **A.** Recording the minutes of the house meetings in a neat and orderly manner and posting them soon after the meeting. Following approval of the minutes, they should be stored in the house files.
+**1.** This constitution may be amended by a 2/3 vote during a house meeting which has quorum present. (quorum is equal to 50% plus one of current membership).
-  - **B.** At the end of the term, the secretary shall review the minutes with the Education officer and record changes in house documents with SHC. Copies of the documents shall be posted upon revision.
-  - **C.** The secretary is responsible for keeping phone areas supplied with paper and writing utensils.
-  - **D.** Sorting and distributing daily mail.
-  - **E.** Forwarding old member's mail.
-  - **F.** Tidying mail area. This includes sorting excess paper for recycling.
+**2.** Any amendments which pass shall be changed in the document immediately and brought to the attention of the SHC Vice president of Education.