MCC Membership Committee 2011

Welcome to Madison Community Co-operative!

The MCC logo incorporates the international co-op symbol, the Twin Pines

Welcome

Madison Community Cooperative (MCC) is a formally organized, not for profit, cooperative membership organization. Our obligations as a housing corporation are shared equally among members. MCC is not a landlord or a property manager, but an organization composed of each and every member living in the 11 houses. We manage and maintain our collective homes so that we may live in intentional community with the security of MCC shared houses. In a sense MCC is a land trust. Land/Housing Trust – an agreement whereby one party, (the trustee) MCC, agrees to hold ownership of a piece of real property for the benefit of another party, (the beneficiary) the people. Yet we are MCC. So, as a member, you control and operate MCC through committees, and the Board of Directors.

How MCC Came To Be

In 1968, eight representatives of cooperatives in Madison came back from a co-op conference in Washington, D.C., and decided that they wanted to combine their strength to form an umbrella organization that would provide stability and better services to their members. That federation became Madison Community Cooperative, which has gone through many changes in membership and direction over the past quarter-century.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to improve the Madison community by providing low-cost, not-for-profit cooperative housing for very low to moderate-income people and to be inclusive of underrepresented and marginalized groups of the community.

We are Housing For People, Not Profit!

Seven Coop Principles

Cooperatives of all types, all round the world, follow these principles:

1. Voluntary and Open Membership - open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership.
2. Democratic Member Control - controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions. One member, one vote.
3. Member Economic Participation - members contribute equitably to, and democratically control the capital of their cooperatives.
4. Autonomy and Independence - association with other organizations (including government) is done on terms that ensure democratic control by their member and also maintain their cooperative autonomy.
5. Education, Training, and Information - Provide education and training for members, elected representatives and staff so that they can contribute effectively to the development of the co-op.
6. Cooperation among Cooperatives - strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures.
7. Concern for Community -work for the sustainable development of the communities to which they belong through policies accepted by the members.

NASCO

(North American Students of Cooperation)

We are part of a greater community called North American Students of Cooperation, which is a support network that shares resources with coops around North America. You are a member because of the $37 membership fee you paid when you moved in. NASCO is an association of campus cooperatives in Canada and in the U.S., providing student cooperatives with operational assistance, encouraging the development of new student cooperatives. NASCO teaches leadership skills, provides information, and serves as the central link facilitating student cooperatives. People all over North America are similar to you; they have similar problems, joys and successes with their houses.

NASCO Institute

An exciting training opportunity, which is held in Ann Arbor, MI every year. You get to meet other coopers and share experiences while learning through workshops. This year it’s November 4-6, 2011. If you are interested in going on this trip, contact the membership officer. www.nasco.coop

Give

• Rent- To be paid on the first of the month (before the 5^thto avoid late rent)
• Time to your house, in the form of workjobs: cooking meals, cleaning, shopping
• Time given to MCC: participation in finance, membership or maintenance committees, or the Board of Directors. Plus: 1.5 hours of minor maintenance on your house per month to keep rent costs down.

Get

• A room with all utilities (Internet, electricity, heat, water) and food included
• A clean house, healthy inexpensive food and meals · Great on-the-job training in bookkeeping, cooking for large groups, property management, facilitating groups, and relational skills in learning to live cooperatively.

Member Rights and Responsibilities

MCC Orientation

Three times per year, MCC holds MCC-wide member orientations that all new members are required to attend and experienced members are encouraged to attend. The orientation provides new members with an introduction to MCC and a chance to meet other co-opers.

Maintenance Hours

Every co-oper is required to do one and a half hours of maintenance work on their house each month. The more maintenance done by members, the lower rents can be. Talk to your house maintenance coordinator about needs for repairs and improvement projects. House MeetingsAll houses hold meetings weekly or bi-weekly. At meetings, people make democratic decisions about how to run the house: what kinds of food to buy, how much to budget, when to have a party. House meetings can also include house financial reports, how members are feeling, Board and committee updates and giving input to reps about issues at the next meeting. Since democracy depends on participation, you are required to attend house meetings according to your house policy.

Inform yourself and get involved!

¨ Take a look at the Board agenda packets, which are dropped off at your house every weekend before a board meeting. ¨ Help get MCC’s Newsletter up off the ground, and read it regularly. ¨ Ask questions of your committee, or Board representatives, officers and staff. ¨ Become a committee representative, Board representative or officer ¨ Request a copy of MCC by-laws and policies to find out what ground rules MCC is currently operating by. ¨ Change a policy that you think needs to (page 13).

Membership Contract

A membership contract contains more rights and responsibilities than just a lease. In an MCC co-op, you will be much more involved in your housing than in an apartment or a dorm. From the “Schedule of Relations in MCC” in your contract All parties agree to:· Act together in providing a cooperative, non-violent, and non-discriminatory living atmosphere. · Conserve energy and strive for environmental responsibility.

• Abide by MCC Bylaws and policies.

(These are available online at www.madisoncommunity.coop) Each Member Agrees To:

• Pay rent on time.
• Attend house meetings.
• Attend MCC Membership Meetings.
• Perform house-assigned labor (workjobs).
• Maintain the original condition of contracted rooms-normal wear and tear expected-and not cause any damages to other house or MCC Property.
• Be fully responsible for the actions of and damages caused by visitors and guests.
• Vacate house and MCC premises upon contract termination or when the House or MCC decides there are irreconcilable differences with the member.
• Not create disturbing or excessive noise.
• Take care of pets.
• Avoid offensive or disrespectful behavior.
• Abide by house policies.

Each Agent agrees to (Directors of the Board, Officers of the Board, and staff):

• Pay for major maintenance.
• Advertise for new members.
• Hold member deposits and contracts.
• Make house mortgage, insurance and tax payments, and do refinancing as necessary.
• Purchase and develop new coops as needed or desired by the membership.
• Intervene and fulfill any house agreements or responsibilities, at the expense of the house, when the house is not fulfilling them, for as long as needed and no longer.

Paying Rent

• Pay rent by the 1^st of the month.
• Rent is late by the 5^th of the month.
• If you cannot pay by the 5^th then a payment plan should be completed and approved by your house, or you will receive a 5-day notice.
• A 5-day notice is the first step to eviction. · If you do not complete a payment plan, or pay your rent after the 5 days, then you will receive a 14 day notice indicating you must vacate the house in 14 days.

Committees and Board

General Membership

Everyone who lives in an MCC house and Type B members (who don’t live in the houses but pay dues). As a general member you can go to any meeting and be a part of the process. At general membership meetings, we vote on large structural changes to the organization, or changes to the MCC bylaws. We can also reverse decisions by the Board as a general membership.

Board of Directors

Makes the financial and policy decisions for the organization by hearing items from the committees.

Maintenance Committee

Setting standards for the repair and improvement of MCC-owned buildings; assessing the maintenance needs of MCC houses; drafting long and short-term maintenance budgets; and implementing and evaluating the progress of all maintenance projects.

Membership Committee

In charge of fulfilling MCC’s membership, diversity and outreach goals; working with issues of membership during difficult and or transitional periods; making relevant proposals or referenda to the membership; coordinating the education and participation of members.

Finance Committee

Developing an annual budget for MCC, regularly studying and evaluating MCC’s overall financial position; ensuring the accuracy and completeness of MCC’s house books and house budgets; setting standards for accounting systems, collections, and rebate practices; and making recommendations on financial matters as requested by the Board.

Coordinating Committee

Executing documents and taking actions on various matters as required by the Board or by law; facilitating the Board’s decision-making process; reviewing projects, programs and resolutions; making recommendations to the Board; providing oversight of staff activities; and maintaining MCC’s policy manual.

Individual Issues Committee

Assist the membership with individual concerns including but not limited to late rent, payment plans, conflicts with individuals and house concerns.

Development Committee

Researching matters relevant to the purchasing of buildings; educating the membership about development; negotiating expansion deals; coordinating targeted expansion areas occupied by underrepresented or disadvantaged groups; coordinating the provision of co-housing options; and making recommendations for the use of any MCC funds dedicated to development.

MCC Structure

Staff Responsibilities

Our staff members act as advisors and carry out the day-to-day operations of our organization. They advise the membership on expansion and development when necessary as well. They carry out policies that we as a membership democratically put in place. Each staff is required to come to at least the first portion of one Board meeting each month and attend when there is an agenda item that pertains to their area of expertise.

Maintenance Coordinator

(Michael Carlson)

• Works with the Maintenance Committee.
• Teaches house members and House Maintenance Coordinators to do maintenance.
• Oversees maintenance, repair and remodeling projects on the houses.
• Gets bids from outside contractors when professional work is required.
• Creates the maintenance budget with project priorities.
• Hires Worker Group for doing maintenance in the houses.
• Maintains tool library and the MCC van.

Member Services Coordinator

(Rek Kwawer)

• Works with Membership Committee, and Individual Issues Committee.
• Processes contracts and member debt.
• Sends 5 day notices to members who have late rent payments and no payment plan.
• Assists the membership in facilitation, new member orientations, and Board training.
• Helps with the newsletter.
• Hires, fires, and trains MCC Minutes Takers, Summer Interns, Webmasters and Office Assistants.
• Keeps the policy manual updated.
• Maintains, updates and keeps office forms available in the office.
• Consults MCC’s lawyer when necessary.

Finance Coordinator

(Kathy Parker)

• Works with the Finance Committee.
• Manages the central finances of MCC.
• Trains new house treasurers.
• Creates the MCC yearly budgets, which are approved by the Board.
• Completes house treasurer reports when a house is in financial trouble.
• Processes security deposit reimbursements.
• Assists with financial management concerns.
• Sits on the Social Justice Center Board of Directors.

Officer Responsibilities

Officers are members who are elected by the general membership to run the committee meetings, assist the membership, help with administrative tasks, and take action on various matters as directed by the Board. Each officer submits a written report on the committee’s progress at the General Membership Meetings.

Coordinating Officer (President)

• Official representative of MCC in its relations to all other organizations.
• Chairs the Individual Issues and General Membership meetings.
• Primarily responsible for regular communication with members, and for increasing visibility of MCC through local media outlets.
• Maintains regular contact with independent cooperative houses and cooperative businesses as MCC’s official liaison.
• Attends Social Justice Center (SJC) Board meetings and informs the Board of SJC issues.

Membership Officer (Vice President)

• Chairs the Membership Committee.
• Responsible for minutes and records of MCC, and making records available to members.
• Oversees the Member Service Coordinator.
• Oversees the education materials of MCC.
• Primary responsible for overseeing conflict resolution committees.
• Works with expansion and development.
• Coordinates efforts to fulfill diversity goals

Maintenance Officer (Secretary)

Finance Officer (Treasurer)

• Chairs the Finance Committee
• Oversees the staff on financial matters
• Reviews the staff payroll records on a monthly basis
• Views images of cleared checks written by MCC
• Keeps a record at the office that lists each date that the payroll and cleared checks have been reviewed.

Board of Directors Process

We want the Board of Directors to be accessible to all members. Here are some important concepts to understand.

Proposal

• Concerns a change in policy, the establishment of a new policy or any situation that has arisen and must be dealt with in the organization.
• Proposals to the Board of Directors are explained within agenda packets, which are distributed to all houses the weekend before the meeting.
• House members get a chance to discuss issues at house meetings and advise their Board Representatives.

Amendment

Facilitator

There is no democracy without accountability!

As a member of MCC you become, in a sense, a co-manager of the 11 houses. All meetings are open to members new and experienced. If you are dissatisfied with a policy in MCC, you have the power to change it. You have the responsibility to take action and to play an active role in creating the type of cooperative you wish to see.

1) Talk to your housemates and other MCC members. See if other people share your ideas and concerns. 2) Take you idea to the appropriate committee. If you are unsure of which committee, ask an MCC Officer or staff. 3) Once your idea has been approved by a committee it is ready to go to the Board or GMM. 4) Write your idea in the Standard Proposal format, which will allow everyone to more easily understand your idea (see page 13). 5) Take your proposal to the Coordinating Committee to be put on the Board agenda. 6) You may also call for an MCC wide referendum or a General Membership Meeting (GMM). Remember that you should be flexible and willing to work toward everyone’s needs being met. All the members of MCC manage MCC equally. That means, we all get a voice and all have an obligation to use our voice for the better of the MCC houses and the entire organization.

MCC Board Meeting Flow Chart

Standard Proposal Format

Example Proposal

Title: Buy a Motorcycle Sponsor(s): Ima Cooper Type: Decision Date: 7/29/2011 Background: We have a van for maintenance and so we should have a motorcycle for joy rides. Actual Text: MCC Board of Directors budgets $20,000 in the 2012 fiscal year to purchase a motorcycle. $20,000 shall cover the purchase of a secondhand motorcycle, insurance and repairs. The user shall pay for the gas. The motorcycle shall be stored in Syntropy’s carriage house during the winter. Alternatives:

• Alternate between houses
• Individuals insure themselves
• Buy two small scooters
• Have free MCC bicycles

Pros:· Helps people with limited transportation

• Could help fill vacancies

Cons:

• Not all members have licenses
• Can’t ride it during the winter

For:_____ Opposed:_____ Objecting:_____ Abstaining:_____

Fair Housing Laws and Membershipping

Whatever process your house uses to screen and accept members, make sure you realize that biases come from all over, and you must recognize and not discriminate based on any of these protected classes:

• Race,
• Color,
• Sex,
• National
• Origin,
• Religion
• Disability/Handicap
• Family/Familial Status
• Age
• Marital Status
• Sexual Orientation

Domestic Abuse, Sexual Assault and Stalking Victims

• Arrest/Conviction Record
• Military Discharge Status
• Physical Appearance
• Political Beliefs
• Student Status
• Social Security Number Provision
• Domestic Partnership
• Tenant Union Association
• Gender Identity
• Genetic Identity
• Citizenship Status
• Lawful Source of Income (however, they have to be able to afford the room)

We want to make our homes as accepting and loving as possible. So recognize biases and don’t discriminate. Let’s be inviting to any walk of life.

Remember to accept people who, not only fit in your house, but who are excited about MCC. Together we make up the organization, together we are MCC.

Our Homes

Ambrosia

Ambrosia Cooperative is sunny, welcoming mansion right on the lake. Built in the 1910′s, the house has been a cooperative since the late 1960s. Formerly named Stone Manor, Martha’s and Assata, this vibrant community enjoys its back porch and dock in the summer, sauna and fireplace in the winter. Ambrosia is a community that allows a diverse social environment to thrive. Ambrosia is a community that allows for a diverse social environment to thrive. We encourage members of all ages and always have many families and someone around to cheer a person up or to strike up an interesting conversation. With 27 bedrooms and large common spaces for folks to hang out in, there are enough places to be social or to find some privacy. Though members have come and gone over the years, the house seems to hold itself to a cheerful, inviting standard.

Audre Lorde

Audre Lorde Co-op is a 15 room household which provides a safe space for people of all ages committed to advocating a sustainable and socially just society. We are an actively racial justice, pro-People-of-Color, pro-Feminist, and pro-Queer/LGBT-loving household. Our intent is to bring together individuals in an environment that fosters and is supportive of their activist endeavors as well as creating a safe place for living. House decisions are made by group modified consensus. House members contribute a required 6 hours of their time each week for workjobs such as cooking, washing dishes, cleaning various common spaces, paying bills, grocery shopping, serving as a house representative for various committees of Madison Community Cooperative, and many other jobs that go towards the upkeep and continuance of the household. Everyone in the house pays $95 a month to purchase bulk food which is mostly organic, and locally-grown when possible; we strive to buy from vendors that are owned and run by people-of-color and/or women. A vegetarian meal with vegan option is served during the weekdays around 7pm. Contact the Audre Lorde residence at audrelordecoop@gmail.com for more information!

Avalon

Avalon Co-op is an eight-room house intent on creating a safe, sane, and supportive environment as part of the Madison Community Cooperative organization and within the city of Madison as a whole. We are a community that welcomes people of all ages, sexes, colors, sexual orientations and economic backgrounds. Key to our evolution as a healthy and united household is the development and practice of constructive, direct communication, and communal decision-making. Some of us work and some go to school. Our house is centrally located in a quiet and diverse neighborhood, which is two blocks from James Madison Park and four blocks from the capitol. We take turns making great vegetarian meals and working in our garden. We welcome open-minded people who are interested in enriching our community and environment.

Friends

Friends is a 12 Room currently 14 member coop on West Johnson Street. We currently have one newborn, two rats, and a hamster. In the back we have a wonderful garden, which, along with our CSA boxes, supply us with ample healthy produce to make our 100% vegetarian, always vegan and celiac friendly dinners. Our house attracts a diverse population of students as well as working adults. A member should expect to enjoy all aspects of intentional community, and ought not to be surprised to find themselves in a discussion in the living room about everything from politics and philosophy, to animal rights or even hauling sleeping bags with housemates up to the next Capitol occupation.

Hypatia

Hypatia is a fifteen person cooperative that is currently home to graduate and undergraduate students, workers, and professionals. We are located in a beautiful mansion surrounded by a historic garden. Our house is in a quiet neighborhood three blocks north of the capitol, eight blocks from campus, and one block from Lake Mendota. Our spacious living and dining room has hardwood floors, floor-to-ceiling windows that face the capitol, and a fireplace.

International

The International Co-op has been around for over 40 years. Our premise is that a diverse group of 26 people can live together cooperatively, allowing each member both a sense of community and the freedom to determine their own affairs. We endeavor to create a comfortable atmosphere where people feel free to share themselves socially. We are culturally and politically diverse, including both Americans and International persons, and we make our own decisions by majority vote on policy and by consensus vote on membership. Our meal plan includes healthy vegetarian meals and occasional meat dishes. Free laundry facilities, phone, high-speed internet, some parking, and indoor bike storage are available. Our co-op is located two blocks from campus and State Street.

Lothlorien

We are a community of approximately 34 people (both students, workers & others), along with 2 cats (neither students nor workers) who share a large yellow castle on the shore of Lake Mendota. Since our founding in 1973, Lothlorien Co-op has striven to provide a welcoming and supportive atmosphere for people of all ages, sexes, races and sexual orientations. Many of our members are politically active in queer rights, labor rights, environmental and feminist movements, and our home is an open resource to activist groups like: Food Not Bombs, Stop the War, Infoshop, and the Student Labor Action Coalition. We often host benefit concerts, fiestas, coffeehouses, and other events providing the city of Madison w/ good times. Based in egalitarian ideals, house decisions are made through Formal Consensus at weekly Elven Council meetings.

Ofek Shalom

Ofek Shalom Co-op is a vegetarian and vegan co-op situated in a small, comfortable house near the Kohl Center on the corner of Bassett and Dayton. We are a dynamic community made up of 11 working and studying people from a range of backgrounds. We enjoy late-night discussions, jam sessions around the piano, movies and our two annual parties. We are dedicated to providing a comfortable environment for people with a variety of world-views. Every Friday evening we celebrate Shabbat with a joyous meal (including homemade challah) for anyone who would like to join us. In addition, we hold holiday celebrations throughout the year.

Phoenix

The Phoenix Co-op presently houses 25 members, both students and professionals, bringing a diverse and family-like environment to our co-op. We are located close to the Memorial Union and State Street in a spacious 1920′s French chateau style building. The house is beautified by decorative faces, a spiral staircase and a large fireplace. Phoenix uses a modified consensus decision-making process. We look for committed members who have a serious interest in living cooperatively and working and investing in our house, even if you are just staying for the summer. We proudly stand behind MCC’s mission of creating a safe space for every member; we embrace diversity and are LGTBQ-friendly.

Sofia

Sofia Co-op is a beautiful two-story home with 7 bedrooms, 3 porches and a backyard with a raised-bed garden. Currently, we are 7 adults and 3 children -our adult ages range from mid twenties to mid forties. We all take turns cooking, cleaning and doing chores. We enjoy several home- cooked, vegetarian meals per week together. We are a beautiful and dynamic community that strives to be as eco-friendly as possible. Our house is clean and cozy. We want to live with people who are more than just housemates, but rather part of a bigger family.

Syntropy is an 8 member house on the near east side of Madison, one block from B.B. Clark beach. Our small community tends to attract relatively older (+/-30) members, but we’re open to people of all ages. Our house boasts hardwood floors, a wood stove, a front porch swing, shared vegetarian meals (with organic veggies from our CSA during the summer), a garden, and a view of Lake Monona from our bay window and front porch. New editions include chickens in the back yard. We also have a sweet canoe! We currently subscribe to the State Journal & New York Times and have basic local cable. All rooms are DSL ready and have wireless access.