Basic Member Expectations

The following are several key expectations which are being highlighted due to their importance. Many of these expectations are stated in the Sofia Policy Book or in MCC policy.

• No smoking or vaping in the house.

• No illegal drug use in the house.

• Sofians aim to attend all membership meetings, and proxy vote or make alternative arrangements to participate if necessary.

• Sofians make a good faith effort to follow this policy manual and be involved in co-op life and work, including all expectations outlined in the “Sofia’s Housework Program” portion of this manual.

• Sofians respectfully raise concerns as needed with other members, at house meetings, with the membership coordinator, with the house mediator, or with MCC (including their membership coordinator, membership assistant, community response team, or TUPOCC).

• Sofians never physically threaten or physically assault anyone (as further enforced by MCC’s safer space policy).

• Sofians always refer to house members and guests by the name and pronouns they tell you to use, and respectfully accept corrections as needed.

• Sofians must meet with Sofia Finance Coordinator if they are not going to be able to have rent paid by the 5th of the month to make a payment plan before then, the 5th. According to MCC policy, without a payment plan being made, one then receives a 5-day curable notice. If anyone is uncomfortable approaching the Finance Coordinator please contact the membership services coordinator or the MCC finance officer.

• If a house member is moving out early, they have a duty to pay their monthly rent until the room is filled by an appropriate new member or until the end of the member’s original lease date. The house will work to fill the opening in a timely manner. The departing house member has a duty to fully vacate the house of all their possessions before the new member’s lease start date. This is in accordance with MCC’s contract.

If a member is not meeting these expectations, and mediation with the member fails to be effective, the house can then take a non-rent contract termination vote with a 2/3rd majority required for failure of house expectations.

Housework Program

Members of Sofia house have found that consistent participation from all house members in basic chores, meetings, and house projects is truly necessary for the wellbeing of the cooperative due to our small size. Expectations of Sofia members include:

• doing 1-2 chores per week to keep the house clean, handled on a rotating basis;

• participating in house meetings every other week;

• participating in one miscellaneous house upkeep task every month;

• participating in occasional projects with other house members as needed (e.g. painting);

• maintaining clean and functional shared spaces throughout the house;

  • washing shared pots/pans as soon as possible so they can be used by others;

  • washing personal dishes within 24 hours of putting them in the sink (if physically able) to keep sinks usable and sanitary;

  • emptying drain catchers in kitchen and bathroom sinks/showers;

• cooking meals if a meal plan is in effect;

• taking at least one work job

The specifics of tasks above such as house projects and chore lists are decided collaboratively at house meetings.

House Supports

Just like the cooperative has expectations for its members, the cooperative hopes to meet members’ expectations and needs as well! The membership coordinator and/or mediator may use tools such as meeting check-ins and check-outs, anonymous feedback forms, and occasional one-on-one check-in meetings to ensure that members have a chance to voice their concerns and feel comfortable in our cooperative home.

Sofians are also open to problem-solving and accommodations on a case-by-case basis. Some examples of accommodations could be: making task lists to break down larger chores into smaller, easier pieces; asking members what types of reminders would be helpful and implementing those reminders; re-negotiating chores and workjobs based on abilities; etc.

House Accountability Policies

With 7 to 11 members at a given time and the amount of upkeep the house needs (physically and within MCC’s committees), when someone does not meet member expectations, other house members are forced to take on additional responsibilities. Stress, burn-out, and tension can build in the house and have a severely detrimental ripple effect. We have seen this occur even with great empathy, forgiveness, and patience among a majority of house members. Sofians voted on the following policies to ensure that members are accountable to the community. The policies are intended to create a remediation structure in the event that a house member’s behaviors are impacting the cooperative.

House Chores & Cleanliness

Common Areas: 

Members are expected to keep common areas clean and usable. This includes tables and counters being usable by others; shower drains and bathroom sinks being clean after use; etc. If there are repeat concerns with how an individual is leaving common areas, the following steps will be taken. The steps reset after 1 month period:

• First occurrence: mediator or membership coordinator will let the member know their concern and offer problem-solving if desired.

• Second occurrence: the member will be reminded again and will be notified that they may be asked to do an additional task. 

• Third occurrence: member will be asked to clean the space and to do an additional task from the house upkeep list.

Dishes: 

Members are expected to clean their dishes within 24 hours of putting them in the sink, so that other people have the space to do their dishes and use the kitchen. If someone leaves dishes in the sink for longer than 24 hours, the following steps will be taken. The steps reset after a 1 month period:

• First occurrence: mediator or membership coordinator will let the member know their a concern and offer problem-solving if desired.

• Second occurrence: the member will be reminded again and will be notified that they may be asked to do an additional task.

• Third occurrence: member will be asked to catch up on all dishes and to do an additional task from the house upkeep list.

• If the issue continues, the member will get 1 warning and then another task added continually until a new month begins at which point the 3-step policy is restarted.

Chores: 

Members are expected to complete 1-2 assigned chores per week and to initial a printed chore chart when they have completed their chore. If a member has concerns about completing specific chores, they are encouraged to bring this up with the membership coordinator or at a house meeting as needed.

The following steps will be taken in the event of members not completing assigned chores. The steps reset after a 3 month period:

• First occurrence: mediator or membership coordinator will let the member know their a concern and offer problem-solving if desired.

• Second occurrence: the member will be reminded again and will be notified that they may be asked to do an additional task.

• Third occurrence: member will be asked to complete their current chore and to do an additional task from the house upkeep list.

• If the issue continues, the member will get 1 warning and then another task added continually until the 3 month period ends, at which point the 3-step policy is restarted.

If a member accumulates a total of 3 undone remedial tasks, the house will contact MCC about next steps.

Consideration in Shared Spaces

All house members have a right to shared spaces in our home. If someone has been using a common space for two hours (particularly the attic and living room), another member may ask to use the space and it should be made available to them within 30 minutes of the request.

Interpersonal Concerns

Members are encouraged to bring up day-to-day concerns and conflicts with each other or during meetings. However, more serious problems can arise in rare circumstances. If someone has a concern about another member which they consider serious, they may bring up the concern to the mediator privately.

If any members in question are the mediator, the membership coordinator can act as mediator. If a member is not comfortable with these options, they can also reach out to MCC’s membership coordinator, membership assistant, or Community Response Team. The member may additionally/alternatively reach out to The United People of Color Caucus (TUPOCC), a group within MCC which can provide mediation in situations involving any person of color. Members can do this at any point in a grievance process.

If no one’s safety is compromised or in question, the first step for interpersonal concerns is mediation. If the problem persists, the following procedures will occur:

• House members will hear out both sides of the concern. Members will take an anonymous vote about whether the member receiving the complaint merits a strike for the concerning behavior. The house member will be informed of the house’s decision.

• If the same problematic behavior for which the strike was applied is repeated within 3 months, MCC will be informed. The house may pursue either mediation or a curable/non-curable notice depending on the severity of the behavior.

• In a 3 month period, if another serious interpersonal concern arises from the same person, the house automatically moves to a vote regarding another strike.

If an individual reaches 3 strikes, the house will contact MCC. MCC and the house will decide on next steps.

Noise concerns

Like with other interpersonal concerns, Sofians encourage open communication directly with other house members first. However, a member may bring up noise concerns to the house mediator if they are not able to solve the concern directly.

If an individual receives a noise complaint against them, they have the option to contest the complaint, meaning they feel that the complaint is unjustified. If the member contests, the house will hear out that member’s side of the issue, then anonymously vote on whether to count the noise complaint as an occurrence.

The following steps will apply, and reset after a 1 month period:

• First occurrence: mediator or membership coordinator will let the member know about the specific noise complaint and offer problem-solving if desired.

• Second occurrence: the member receives a second warning, and is informed of the next step.

• Third occurrence: the house will raise the concern with MCC, and MCC will reach out to the member about the complaint.

• Fourth occurrence: the house will pursue a curable eviction notice through MCC.

If a member makes it to step 3 (talking with MCC), the following month they will only receive one warning before talking to MCC again. If a member receives 2 warnings per month for 3 consecutive months, they will be referred to MCC for mediation as well. Depending on the severity of the noise complaint, the house may consider a curable notice.