ASH Co-op Member Expectations
ASH Co-op Member Expectations
This document is drawn from the Co-operative Identity as described by the International Co-operative Alliance, the ASH Co-op Membership Agreement, the Tenancy Agreement as well as other related policies.
It is intended to support the work of conflict resolution by providing an easy to access list of shared values,
ideals and expected attitudes and behaviours.
Engaging with the Support and Wellbeing policy
Members are encouraged to be proactive with addresssing disputes and conflicts with neighbours as soon as possible.
The Support and Wellbeing policy provides a framework for this.
Unchecked conflict can result in deep divisions in the communtiy and lead members to withdraw from community engagement. It also causes strain on community resources in terms of money and office worker time.
From the point of view of the Support and Wellbeing policy, entrenched conflict is also extremely hard to mediate effectively, so the earlier issues are addressed, the greater the likelihood of a happy resolution for all.
Co-operative values
Argyle street Housing Co-operative is a member-led, jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise.
We base our community on the values of;
- Self-help
- Self-responsibility
- Democracy
- Equality
- Equity and
- Solidarity
In the tradition of the founders of the co-operative movement, our members believe in the ethical values of;
- honesty
- openness
- social responsibility and
- caring for others
source https://www.ica.coop/en/cooperatives/cooperative-identity
Membership
Members are expected to take an active role in community, and contribute to the management of the co-op via
participation in at least one co-op working group.
The Co-op runs via General Meeting, and members should contribute to and share the role of democratic
decision making by attending at least 3 meetings per year.
Members are expected to actively look after the shared grounds and shared buildings of the co-operative with each
other.
Members are expected to abide by the rules of the co-operative and current policies of the co-operative.
Co-operation
Our mailing list policy makes the following recomendation how we conduct ourselves on the email lists.
Assume good faith and intentions in other peoples’ statements and actions
This also should apply to how we conduct ourselves in interactions outside of the mailing list. Make the
fundamental assumption that your neighbour has joined a housing co-operative because they want to work with you to
help build a community and that disagreement and conflict does not neccesarily arise from deliberately malicious
intent.
Tenancy
(this is not an exhaustive list of tenancy clauses but it is the most common causes relating to interpersonal conflict)
Nuisance:
Not to cause or allow invited visitors to cause a nuisance or annoyance to other persons in the neighbourhood or to any tenant, agent, employee or contractor of the Co-operative.
Racial and other harassment:
Not to commit or allow invited visitors to commit any form of harassment, intimidation or violence (including domestic violence) on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation or disability or for any other reason which may interfere with the peace and comfort of, or cause offence to any other tenant or member of another tenant’s household, visitors or neighbours, employees or agents of the Co-operative.
Noise:
Not to play or allow to be played any radio, television, record or tape recording or musical instrument in such a manner:
- as to cause a nuisance or annoyance to anyone or
- which can be heard outside the property between the hours of 11pm and 7.30am (8am on Saturdays and Sundays).
Responsibilities with other tenants:
The Tenant shall be jointly and individually responsible with other tenants of the Property for:
- Cleaning the Common Areas, fixtures and fittings, furniture and windows of the Property and paying for the cost
of cleaning materials;
- Keeping fixtures, fittings and furniture in good order and not allowing them or any part of them to be removed
from the Property;
- Keeping exits, passageways, landings, staircases and other Common Areas free from personal property and any obstructions and to leave all Common Areas fit for use by other occupiers. Items can be left in living areas with the unanimous consent of other tenants.