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| - | Steward Role Summary | + | ====== |
| - | Follow Steward Processes | + | |
| - | The Steward is responsible for ensuring | + | **STEWARD** |
| - | Steward | + | |
| - | 1. House Policy & Information Management | + | * Read all house documents – the TheContract, |
| - | Read and become familiar | + | * Be a source of information – educate members about house policies. Work to make all policies and important house documents easily accessible to all members. Carry out evictions on behalf of the house membership and/or CHEA Board of Directors (Section 4.3 of the House Rules). Oversee Membership Reviews. Ensure |
| - | Educate | + | * Fill in when important officer positions are temporarily vacant, and assure smooth transitions of officer positions from one member to another. If an officer position is known to be unfilled or not performed for the next week, the Steward should be assigned those lumps in the following week’s labor schedule. (Voted on 4-2-2023.) Carry out elections in the absence of the Labor Czar. Pay attention to ensure Membership Coordinator duties are being completed. Check to ensure that the Membership Coordinator is posting ads on craigslist roughly once a week (whether we have any vacancies or not). Have read-only access to the MemCo email account. Check to ensure that the Membership Coordinator is answering emails in a reasonable amount of time. Check to ensure that the Membership Coordinator is adding accepted prospective members to the email list. (Voted 10-23-11.) |
| - | Stay in communication | + | * Pay attention to ensure Labor Czar duties are being completed. Communicate with the Labor Czar every month to ensure that make-up labor and labor fines are being assessed in a timely manner and emailed to the house (see LaborPolicies). Ensure that the Labor Czar is maintaining a publicly available format of each house member' |
| - | 2. Membership & Evictions | + | * Keep an eye on the books to ensure that they are updated. Ensure that the Treasurer gets members on payment plans when applicable. When necessary, deliver the Elliot Blanton Memorial Eviction notice. Ensure that taxes are filed on time. Be familiar with tax filing procedures. (See: TaxFilingInformation.) |
| - | Oversee | + | * Work to find solutions to problems that don't fall in the jurisdiction of any other house officers or members. Serve as a house mediator to assist in solving conflicts and mediating disputes. (See: MediationInfo) |
| - | Conduct Membership Reviews, ensuring compliance with Section | + | * Encourage and maintain a spirit of cooperation and democratic participation in the house. Steward must be a resident member of the house (not an associate) passed 5/29/16 by 8-0-1 Be made aware by Mastodon Overblower how to recover systems |
| - | Notify | + | |
| - | Inform members | + | **MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR** |
| - | Deliver eviction notices by the 10th of the month if a member | + | |
| - | Issue immediate eviction notices | + | * Keep the house as close to full occupancy as humanly possible. Advertise! Update our ads on Craigslist every week — EVEN WHEN THE HOUSE IS FULL. Never stop advertising. (Tip: It' |
| - | 3. Pet Policy | + | * Jack's Law: Make sure that new members pay their deposit when they sign their contract. If they do not pay their deposit, then they cannot sign a contract. DO NOT let people move in if they haven' |
| - | Communicate | + | * Determine how much a member' |
| - | Track compliance | + | * Act as House Mediator to try to solve conflicts. Encourage everyone to play nice. (See: MediationInfo) |
| - | 4. Officer Oversight & Support | + | * Maintain the [email protected] email address. Answer emails in a timely manner. Ensure that the Steward knows the password and has access to [email protected] . |
| - | Fill in for vacant officer positions | + | * When people sign contracts for the first time they need to sign the harassment policy, income disclosure, new member orientation, |
| - | Assist | + | * Memco has to send any new income disclosure forms to CHEA operations manager within the month. |
| - | No-show officers if duties | + | * You have to keep an updated list of potential members on the google sheet Make people aware of the associate membership scholarship (passed 8/25/20) When someone moves in they need to be added to the email and Slack, and a welcome email sent to the house Make a report at every business |
| - | Because the Steward | + | * (For membership coordinator transitions, |
| - | Monitor | + | |
| - | 4.A Membership Coordination Oversight | + | **TREASURER** |
| - | Ensure | + | |
| - | Monitor Membership Coordinator email activity. | + | * Take a leading role in helping the house create an annual budget. Seek and encourage input from the membership. Create at least three options to propose to the house, by changing the amounts of the food budget, reserve fund, rent, or other variables as needed to provide some options to choose from. The budget should be based on comparisons of actual income and spending compared to the previous budget, and on the coop's income relative to the price of comparable housing. (See: TheBudget.) |
| - | Ensure | + | * Ensure the house follows that budget by keeping records of what spending occurs in what budget categories, and comparing the actual spending with the budgeted amounts at least twice a year. Keep track of deposits, credits, money owed to us, and money we owe. Ensure that deposits are made in time to pay all bills. Pay all our rent and bills in full and on time. Collect maintenance receipts from the Maintenance Coordinator. Send receipts to NASCO Properties as needed to ensure we have enough money in our accounts. Maintain an efficient and convenient bank account for the house. Ensure that the account is as resistant to embezzlement as possible. Answer financial questions from the membership. Encourage input from the membership and work with Food Shopper to report weekly purchases and budget adherence. Provide |
| - | 4.B Labor Coordinator Oversight | + | * Maintain needed publicly accessible calendars of financial deadlines. These should include a monthly calendar for the benefit of the members |
| - | Oversee labor fines and make-up labor tracking | + | * Cash is never, ever to be accepted from any members. Ever. Cash has no paper trail and is far too easy to steal. Accept only checks and money orders. Ensure that the Bookkeeper sends out Bookkeeper reports twice a month. Get a copy of the books from the Bookkeeper every two weeks (shortly after the 3rd and 7th of the month) to ensure that everyone is up to date on their rent payments and payment plans. Examine the books to ensure that they are accurate and complete, checking accuracy of account balances and assuring that late fees and labor fines were assessed, before returning them to the Bookkeeper. If someone owes more than $100 after the 7th of the month, put them on a payment plan. Work with the member so that they have a workable payment plan that fits their budget. Follow the Payment Plan Policies. (See: PaymentPlans.) Email approved payment plans to the house. |
| - | Ensure public documentation | + | * As soon as someone falls off their payment plan—if their rent is late, or their payment plan installment is late—alert the Steward. The Steward will then deliver the Elliot Blanton Memorial Eviction Notice. Ensure that taxes are filed accurately and on time. Be familiar with tax filing procedures. (See: TaxFilingInformation.) |
| - | Carry out elections | + | * Uphold the Open Books Policy. (See: OpenBooksPolicy.) Upon request, show any current member the bookkeeping records, bank account statements, deposit slips, and any other financial information that is requested, including how money is spent and what members owe money, who is facing eviction, who is on a payment plan, etc. (House vote, 8-15-10.) |
| - | 4.C Financial Officer Oversight | + | * Report monthly on utilities expenses, including comparisons with previous year and with budgeted amount. Ensure that NASCO membership dues are paid on time. (See: NascoMemberDues.) |
| - | Ensure the Treasurer sets up payment plans for members | + | * Write deposit return checks to members who are moving out, after being informed of the amount by the Membership Coordinator. |
| - | Deliver eviction notices when necessary. | + | * Communicate with the Labor Czar every month to ensure that labor fines are being assessed in a timely manner (see LaborPolicies). If this job is not being completed, no-show the Labor Czar. |
| - | Ensure timely tax filings and be familiar | + | * Make use of CHEA Staff to ask/answer questions about Quickbooks and Bookkeeping/ |
| - | 4.D IT Officer Oversight | + | * When stepping down from the position, train the new Treasurer. (See: TreasurerTrainingChecklist.) Do whatever needs to be done to assist in removing yourself as a signor on the bank account. If you are moving out, your deposit will not be returned until you have removed yourself as a signor. |
| - | Stay informed about system recovery | + | * You are not allowed to be bookkeeper while you are treasurer (house vote, 4-21-2013). For Quickbooks help, check out La Reunion' |
| - | 5. Conflict Resolution & Mediation | + | * Make a report at every business meeting. Reporting can be done in-person OR by email to “ [email protected] ”. (Emails will be read aloud by MinutesTaker at the meeting.) Reports have a 2-minute time limit, and saying “nothing to report” is totally acceptable. [passed 2020-12-6] |
| - | Address issues that do not fall under any other officer’s responsibilities. | + | |
| - | Mediate disputes and assist | + | **BOOKKEEPER** |
| - | 6. Community & Governance Participation | + | |
| - | Encourage democratic participation | + | * Maintain Accounts Receivable for Sasona members in the electronic bookkeeping system, Quickbooks, tracking all balances. (See: QuickbooksQuickGuides) |
| - | Serve as a point of information | + | * Carefully enter and track all entries for members |
| - | Be willing | + | * Communicate member balances to the house. We have an open records policy requiring all balances be open to all members. Must send out the list of people who have not paid rent on the 4th of the month, |
| + | * Communicate with the Labor Czar every month to ensure | ||
| + | * Update online accounting system, Quickbooks, as changes occur within the house. (See: QuickbooksQuickGuides) | ||
| + | * Process pro-rated rent, payment plans and vacation credit through the bookkeeping system. (See: PaymentPlans.) | ||
| + | * Process deposits | ||
| + | * Provide members financial data regarding balance, upon request. (see: OpenBooksPolicy). | ||
| + | * Ensure that all member-requested information | ||
| + | * When stepping down from the position, train the new Bookkeeper. (See: TreasurerTrainingChecklist) | ||
| + | * You are not allowed to be Treasurer while you are Bookkeeper (house vote, 4-21-2013). Currently set at 3 lumps/week (house vote 1/7/18) For Quickbooks help, check out La Reunion' | ||
| + | * Make a report at every business meeting. Reporting can be done in-person OR by email to “ [email protected] ”. (Emails will be read aloud by MinutesTaker at the meeting.) Reports have a 2-minute time limit, and saying “nothing to report” is totally acceptable. [passed 2020-12-6] | ||
| + | |||
| + | **CHEA BOARD MEMBER** | ||
| + | |||
| + | * Attend all CHEA Board meetings. Represent the house on the CHEA Board of Directors. Report back to the house on Board issues. | ||
| + | * Read all house documents – the TheContract, | ||
| + | * Ensure that taxes are filed on time. Be familiar with tax filing procedures. (See: TaxFilingInformation.) | ||
| + | * A Sasona CHEA rep will take the CHEA mail to the board meetings, every meeting. The house' | ||
| + | |||
| + | **MAINTENANCE COORDINATOR** | ||
| + | |||
| + | * Keep a running maintenance request list clearly posted. Work with people on maintenance team to keep house in running order. Record a “no-show” | ||
| + | * Turn in receipts to the Treasurer within 24 hours of making a purchase. Use the CHEA Tax ID number | ||
| + | * Communicate with house to ensure that the maintenance projects being performed are both wanted and needed. Request house-level input (e.g. emailing the entire house, discussing it at a meeting, or calling an informal meeting for discussion) for non-routine and/or aesthetic | ||
| + | |||
| + | **GROUNDS COORDINATOR** | ||
| + | |||
| + | * Work with and coordinate grounds crew in weekly grounds maintenance work days. | ||
| + | * Record a “no-show” for any grounds crew member | ||
| + | * On Grounds Dry Erase Board and Grounds Binder (or equivalents) keep regular maintenance and project/ | ||
| + | * Field suggestion for projects/ | ||
| + | * Plan and manage landscape improvement projects. | ||
| + | * Communicate with house to ensure that the grounds projects being performed are both wanted and needed. Request house-level input (e.g. emailing the entire house, discussing it at a meeting, or calling an informal meeting for discussion) for non-routine and/or aesthetic decisions. | ||
| + | * Routine tasks include maintaining the compost pile, raking leaves, cutting firewood, picking up trash, and keeping clutter in the yard to a minimum. (Note: If something | ||
| + | * Request and encourage house input, and work to facilitate the needs and interests of the members. | ||
| + | * Work with Labor Czar and Maintenance Coordinator to plan effective and efficient labor holidays. Communicate with the house to determine what the house wants to accomplish | ||
| + | * Report weekly to house on what grounds crew is doing. | ||
| + | * Remove sources of standing water – fight mosquitoes! (House vote, 2-20-11.) | ||
| + | * Make a report at every business meeting. Reporting can be done in-person OR by email to “ [email protected] ”. (Emails will be read aloud by MinutesTaker at the meeting.) Reports have a 2-minute time limit, and saying “nothing to report” is totally acceptable. [passed 2020-12-6] | ||
| + | |||
| + | **LABOR CZARISTA / CZAR** | ||
| + | |||
| + | * Plan and post the labor schedule | ||
| + | * Ensure that Archivist is appraised of changes in labor descriptions and that changes are made accordingly. (House vote, 6/18/17 10-0-1) Mediate between no-show-ers | ||
| + | * Make a report at every business meeting. Reporting can be done in-person OR by email to “ [email protected] ”. (Emails will be read aloud by MinutesTaker at the meeting.) Reports have a 2-minute time limit, and saying “nothing to report” is totally acceptable. [passed 2020-12-6] | ||
| + | |||
| + | **KITCHEN KAISER** | ||
| + | |||
| + | * Make sure the kitchen is in compliance with Health Code. Prepare the kitchen for the inevitable health inspection. Maintain detailed and updated kitchen labor descriptions. Keep them posted in a conspicuous place in the kitchen. Keep an eye on the kitchen to make sure that all of the labor is being done. No-show or nag people when labor is not completed. Go find people when they are late for labor. | ||
| + | * Make sure you know what is required of each kitchen labor position. | ||
| + | * Find kitchen-related projects for people who owe make-up labor. | ||
| + | * Delegate responsibility | ||
| + | * Periodically check levels of chemicals for dish washing machine, replace jugs when empty, keep spare jugs of detergent and sanitizer ready so they can be quickly replaced. | ||
| + | * Make sure that food does not sit out for any longer than two hours. If it sits out for four hours, make sure it is thrown away. Make sure that old food in the refrigerator and pantry is thrown away. Make sure that compost and dirty recycling cans/ | ||
| + | * Do your best to get rid of pests — flies, fruit fries, roaches, etc. | ||
| + | * Bottom line — the state of the kitchen. | ||
| + | * Make a report at every business meeting. Reporting can be done in-person OR by email to “ [email protected] ”. (Emails will be read aloud by MinutesTaker at the meeting.) Reports have a 2-minute time limit, and saying “nothing to report” is totally acceptable. [passed 2020-12-6] | ||
| + | * See also: The Kitchenomicon. | ||
| + | |||
| + | **FOOD SHOPPER** | ||
| + | |||
| + | * Make certain that the co-op does not run out of staples. [See: KitchenFoodStaplesList] | ||
| + | * Supply the cooks/chefs with any food items they request | ||
| + | * Put everything away in proper labeled containers. | ||
| + | * Give receipts to treasurer/ | ||
| + | * You are the steward of our food and are responsible for its condition from the time it is purchased until it is prepared. You can find useful tips and wisdom from past and current shoppers on the ShoppingTips page. | ||
| + | * Reimburse Food Shopper for mileage $10 per month flat payment, $20 if Food Shopper does not have a Buddy and is making 2 or more trips/week (Reimbursements must be sought within 3 months of the mileage being accrued). (motion altered on 4/10/16 by 12-0-3) | ||
| + | * Make a report at every business meeting. Reporting can be done in-person OR by email to “ [email protected] ”. (Emails will be read aloud by MinutesTaker at the meeting.) Reports have a 2-minute time limit, and saying “nothing to report” is totally acceptable. [passed 2020-12-6] | ||
| + | |||
| + | **NASCO PROPERTIES BOARD REP** | ||
| + | |||
| + | * Faithfully attend all three NP board meetings each year, and all monthly teleconferences. | ||
| + | * Make reports to NP on the state of CHEA (membership, community, finance, and maintenance) and reports to CHEA on the state of NP (budgeting, events, organization, | ||
| + | * Work as a bridge between the boards of CHEA and NP, to make sure that CHEA, as a member group, does not take a direction which would be harmful to either CHEA or NP, and that the two groups goals remain compatible. | ||
| + | * In addition to providing feedback both ways in the relationship between CHEA and NP, you should | ||
| + | * [Note: The NP Board Rep can get reimbursements | ||
| + | |||
| + | **MEETING CHAIR** | ||
| + | |||
| + | * Start the meeting at some point between 7:30pm and 8pm on Sunday. Wait until most people have finished eating dinner, and give prospective members time to show up. Walk around the house announcing | ||
| + | * Ensure that policies regarding agenda items, quorum, and passing motions are followed. Be familiar with all meeting policies, and inform members about the policies. If a lot of people want to speak, they should raise their hand to get on the stack. Write their names down in the order that they raised | ||
| + | * Encourage an environment of constructive discussion. Be familiar with the Member Acceptance Policies, | ||
| + | * Each January, perform a survey (online or on paper) of members including associate members on their schedule availability for business meetings. Once the Meeting Chair has made a good faith effort to collect as many responses as possible, the Meeting Chair is to bring the results of the survey to the house by sharing it during their officer report at the next business meeting. [passed 2021-3-28] If meeting time expires | ||
| + | |||
| + | **MINUTES TAKER** | ||
| + | |||
| + | * This officer position receives 2 lumps credit and can be treated as buddy labor for two members to share the responsibilities. (passed 10-0-0 on 11/2/14) | ||
| + | * Ensure that the minutes are sent to the house and posted in Google Docs linked in the wiki. When new potential members are accepted, a copy of that meeting' | ||
| + | * Follow the template below: Sasona House Meeting Minutes Template (voted 5/26/13) meeting minutes: [month name] [day number], [year number, [time meeting begins] (e.g. february 24, 4242, 7:35 PM CT) Times of any pauses and reconvening of meeting (for example due to a late dinner) | ||
| + | * PRESENT | ||
| + | * Current Members who were present for any part of the meeting (assist Meeting Chair in assessing Nags {One missed meeting = one nag}) First and last name of each prospective present, whether or not it’s their 1st or 2nd meeting, if they have any pets, if they were accepted, not accepted, or further action must be taken to accept OFFICER REPORTS [officer title] ([officer name]) | ||
| + | * Title of officer position | ||
| + | * The main topic or idea of the agenda item The three members who officially called | ||
| + | * Topic and info of item (if event date, time, place and contact person for questions) Member who brought up the item Any vote called to continue or end the meeting due to time constraints Persons who make and second | ||
| + | |||
| + | **ARCHIVIST** | ||
| + | |||
| + | * Job Description Approved by vote of 11-1-1 on 3/13/16 | ||
| + | * Update Wiki weekly in accordance with motions passed at the previous house meeting | ||
| + | * Correct or Remove outdated/ | ||
| + | * Organize materials within wiki so that relevant information can easily be found In the absence of a motion to correct a wiki section bring concrete proposals to the house for a vote before severely altering the wiki Bring inconsistencies to the house for clarification as needed | ||
| + | * Present weekly changes to the wiki in officer | ||
| + | * If Archivist will not be present at house meeting, changes must be emailed or posted to the house by the house meeting agenda-item-inclusion deadline so that the meeting chair can present them during officer reports Changes will be considered ratified when changes are presented and no objections are voiced | ||
| + | * Be a house authority on internal house rules and regulations answering questions from the membership as they arise | ||
| + | * Be made aware by Mastodon Overblower how to recover systems and passwords. | ||
| + | * Make a report at every business meeting. Reporting can be done in-person OR by email to “ [email protected] ”. (Emails will be read aloud by MinutesTaker at the meeting.) Reports have a 2-minute time limit, | ||
| + | |||
| + | **MAIL SORTER** | ||
| + | |||
| + | * During the COVID19 period, the mail sorter must wash and disinfect their hands prior to and after handling the mail. | ||
| + | * Current Members | ||
| + | * Bring people’s mail to their box throughout the week. Person should bring packages to people’s doors Put sasona house mail in CHEA mail box. Former Members | ||
| + | * Return to sender on important mail, anything official. barcode must be crossed out with black sharpie, letters must be stamped “return to sender and clipped on clothespin on mailbox The house will keep a box for former members for 6 months following the end of their contract. Upon end of contract, mail sorter will put a sticker with a date 6 months away on the nameplate. At the end of the 6 months, remaining mail will be returned to sender and box will be decommissioned. | ||
| + | |||
| + | **MEDIATOR** | ||
| + | |||
| + | * Be available to members who want to talk about a problem they might be having with some aspect of the house. Keep discussions confidential unless given permission to share with someone else (for example, with another mediator, or to ask the other party in the dispute their side of the story). (See: MediationInfo) | ||
| + | |||
| + | **SASONAGRAM EDITOR** | ||
| + | |||
| + | * Post ads in the house, and send out emails | ||
| + | * Use the Sasonagram to educate people about cooperative issues, to build community, and to entertain people while they' | ||
| + | |||
| + | **CULTURE COORDINATOR** | ||
| + | |||
| + | * Proactively coordinate with mediators to address house conflicts and support the healthy communication between all members. | ||
| + | | ||
| + | * Organize two cultural meetings per year, including sending out availability, | ||
| + | * Make a good faith effort to have a one-on-one conversation with each housemate that is interested within the officer' | ||
| + | * Ensure that voices of people in commonly marginalized populations are heard and that needs are being met. | ||
| + | * The culture coordinator coordinates new member orientation and ensures a new member from the start of their contract date receives the orientation material and completes the material in a timely fashion. [passed 2023-8-13] | ||
| + | * Connect and proactively seek out trainings/ | ||
| + | * Push towards the house coming into a stronger relationship and understanding | ||
| + | * Update policies that no longer reflect house values and propose policies to reinforce house values. | ||
| + | * Support and motivate other electee roles in noticing and addressing values-related issues. (Examples: Communicating to Labor Czar if a member' | ||
| + | * Make a report at every business meeting. Reporting can be done in-person OR by email to “ [email protected] ”. (Emails will be read aloud by MinutesTaker at the meeting.) Reports have a 2-minute time limit, and saying “nothing to report” is totally acceptable. [passed 2020-12-6] | ||
| + | * Generally guide us in the direction of our community agreements and promote healthy house culture. The House votes that the Culture Coordinator run Heart Meetings | ||
| + | |||
| + | **HEALTH OFFICER** | ||
| + | |||
| + | * Inform House of public health threats; research best practices for protection and mitigation and bring to the House for consideration. | ||
| + | * Coordinate with other House officers (Kitchen Kaiser, | ||
| + | * Coordinate with house officers to complete health-related projects on Labor Holiday. | ||
| + | * Develop outline | ||
| + | * Along with Steward, coordinate with local and state public health authorities | ||
| + | * Check in with Sanitizer-in-Chief, | ||
| + | * Compassionately call out members that are not following agreed-upon practices. | ||
| + | * Pro-actively bring up for house discussion potential adaptations to public health preparedness plans and house rules and policies | ||
| + | |||
| + | **MASTODON OVERBLOWER** | ||
| + | |||
| + | * The Mastodon Overblower | ||
| + | * Maintain and improve house network, both wired and wireless, that best delivers high-speed internet access to all members harmoniously. | ||
| + | * Support members in their use of shared house network resources. | ||
| + | * Educate members | ||
| + | * Maintain a wiki or wiki-like (member-editable) system for building and sharing house knowledge, rules, and information. | ||
| + | * Support the house and its members in the harmonious use of new network-related technologies. (computers, phones, wifi devices, smart lamps, computers, filesharing tools, social media, video, etc) | ||
| + | * Seek out and obtain the name “Sasona” on social media sites. Hold these in reserve for future | ||
| + | * Security: Keep an eye on our networking resources, and maintain whatever security features are reasonable | ||
| + | * Oversee (maintain | ||
| + | * Support systems with an abundance mindset rather than a restrictive one. | ||
| + | * Find creative solutions. Be mindful of our nonprofit status and make sure our networking vendors are aware of it/have it on file. | ||
| + | * Report regularly to the house about current projects, how much time and effort gets put in, and other relevant info. | ||
| + | * Make the Steward and Archivist aware of how to recover systems and passwords. | ||
| + | * Make a report at every business meeting. Reporting can be done in-person OR by email to “ [email protected] ”. (Emails will be read aloud by MinutesTaker | ||