Decision Making Process

All members of Sofia Co-op are to be involved in the decision-making process of the house and the MCC-wide processes. For the co-op to work, we must make it work. At the MCC-wide level this entails attending the quarterly MCC General Membership Assemblies and if one is a house coordinator or board rep, being involved in these respective MCC assemblies. 

At Sofia, we determine our house policies democratically through a deliberative process with the aim of an eventual vote that establishes our policies and practices. If there’s anything you wish to see changed or added to or removed from house policy request a vote on it and it could be done! Roll call votes are held at our house meetings, which are to be held at least once every two weeks with each member representing one vote.  For a house meeting to have a quorum, at least 4 members must participate. Votes that attain a majority are to be implemented immediately. Agendas are to be sent out to members’ MCC associated emails, the email members have signed their membership contract with. If a member cannot make it to a meeting, they can proxy vote via email on all decision items on the agenda and can also leave remarks on discussion items that the other members will read together at the meeting. Any amount of participation on an agenda via email contributes to the establishment of quorum. Votes that pass will be effective house policy immediately. 

Financial Decision Making 

When someone proposes buying a non-essential item with house funds, such as something for entertainment or decoration purposes, the person must submit a proposal for the item at a house meeting so that other members may vote. 

If Sofia is not operating a formal meal plan or stocking the kitchen using house funds, the house may vote on using house food funds to hold shared meals instead. At least 4 out of 7 members must approve the budget and date/time for a house meal.