House Jobs

House President 

The House President plays a central role in facilitating communication, coordination, and accountability within the house. Within the house, they are responsible for setting meeting agendas, guiding policy discussions, and ensuring that decisions reflect the cooperative values and needs of house members.

Key responsibilities include creating and distributing agendas for regular house meetings, facilitating those meetings in an organized and inclusive manner, and helping the house reach consensus on important decisions such as policies, budget priorities, and communal responsibilities. The House President promotes open dialogue and supports productive labor discussions, helping members navigate shared responsibilities and expectations.

In addition to supporting daily house operations, the House President serves as a point of contact for the Board of Directors regarding house needs. This role is ideal for someone who is organized, communicative, and committed to fostering a strong, collaborative house culture.

Gardener

The Gardener is responsible for maintaining the co-op’s garden spaces and plant life, ensuring they remain healthy and productive year-round. Duties include planting, watering, weeding, fertilizing, and general upkeep of both medicinal and edible plants. A working knowledge of herbs, fruits, and other crops is helpful in maximizing the garden’s potential as a shared resource. A genuine interest in plant care and a minimum of 2 hours per week are essential for success in this role.

Responsibilities change with the seasons:

• Spring: Planting, composting, and fertilizing garden beds
  
  

• Summer: Weeding, watering, and harvesting berries and herbs
  
  

• Fall: Harvesting grapes and pawpaws
  
  

• Winter: Tending potted plants and establishing ground cover
  
  

Maintaining or creating a garden map/plant guide is encouraged to help house members identify and care for the garden’s resources.

Grocery Shopper

The Grocery Shopper is responsible for purchasing food and household supplies for the co-op. This role typically involves a weekly trip to grocery stores such as Kroger, Aldi, or Kindred, as well as occasional runs for urgent needs. The co-op values supporting the local economy and encourages shopping at local vendors like Kindred, White’s Mill, Seaman’s, and the Chesterhill Produce Auction.

The Grocery Shopper must balance dietary preferences, stay within budget, and respond to evolving house needs. Strong communication skills, flexibility, and openness to feedback are essential for success in this position.

Secretary

The Secretary serves a crucial administrative function by ensuring organized communication and accurate documentation within the house. This role is responsible for taking clear, detailed notes during bi-weekly house meetings and distributing minutes to all members promptly. These records ensure transparency and accountability across the cooperative.

Additional responsibilities include scheduling meetings, sending reminders, updating shared calendars, and preparing agendas in collaboration with house leadership. Strong organizational skills and consistent follow-through are key components of this role.

Activities Director

The Activities Director is responsible for creating and coordinating inter-house events that build community across SCO’s two houses. This includes planning social gatherings such as parties, movie nights, seasonal celebrations, and game nights that promote inclusivity and member engagement.

The Activities Director works with members to gather ideas, promote events, manage any allocated budgets, and ensure that activities reflect SCO’s values of cooperation, fun, and mutual respect. Creativity, strong communication, and a passion for community-building are essential for success in this position.