Chapter 1: Membership, Rights, and Responsibilities
Membership
- Definition of Membership: Anyone holding shares in the corporation shall be considered a member.
- Evidence of Membership: Membership shall be evidenced by a contract for room, board, or permanent employment with the ICC.
- Membership Rights: Each member shall have one vote in ICC referenda, elections, and meetings regardless of number of shares.
- No Transfer of Membership: Membership rights are not transferable from one person to another except as provided in these Standing Rules.
- Membership Fee: Each new member shall pay a one-time, non-refundable membership fee of $100 when they sign their first contract.
The Board of Directors
Responsibilities: The Board shall exercise all the responsibilities of the Bylaws. Board responsibilities shall specifically include:
- Holding title to all real and chattel property of the Corporation and member houses. The proceeds from the sale of any property because it was deemed that rehabilitation was not feasible shall go into the Development Fund.
- Payment of all mortgages, land contracts taxes and insurance on the properties of the corporation.
Rights and Responsibilities
The remainder of this chapter describes the rights and responsibilities of membership and cooperative life in the ICC. Cooperative and uncooperative behavior are defined herein. This chapter offers definitions for cooperative and uncooperative behavior, prejudicial behavior, sexual misconduct, and stalking. Further resources regarding conflict resolution process are provided in the Committee on Conflict Resolution (CCR) policy or by contacting members of the Dispute Assistance and Resolution Team (DART).
- ICC Social Contract When members choose to sign a contract with the ICC, they accept the rights and responsibilities of membership in the ICC’s housing and social community. As part of the ICC community, members are responsible for upholding shared values. Because the ICC establishes standards for membership, these standards of conduct, while falling within the limits of the law, may exceed federal, state, local, or academic requirements. The ICC considers these rules and procedures for resolving disputes a part of its educational mission and is committed to processes which provide both peer review and mediation.
- Legal Rights and Protections: ICC members have the same rights and protections under the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Michigan as other citizens. The dispute resolution processes described in this section are internal organizational processes of the ICC and are not subject to the same rules as civil or criminal proceedings. Because certain forms of uncooperative behavior stated in this chapter may also be violations of law, members may therefore be accountable to both the legal system and the ICC.
- Enforcement of ICC Policy: Persons in official ICC positions have the responsibility to report violations of ICC rules in writing to the house president who is responsible for the implementation of ICC policy in the house. Once notified of the situation, it is the house president's responsibility to report the complaint to whoever is in violation of the policy and under ultimate threat of eviction. If the violation is not removed or corrected within 30 days, there will be an open hearing before the Operations Management Committee in order to decide on the possible expulsion of the member.
- Controlled and Illegal Substances Policy
- No ICC or house funds may be used to purchase controlled or illegal substances.
- This includes alcohol, cannabis, or nicotine.
- All members and guests of ICC houses are expected when on ICC property to comply with applicable laws regarding controlled and illegal substances.
- In the State of Michigan, the law prohibits possession or consumption of alcohol, cannabis, or nicotine by any person under age 21 and prohibits knowingly furnishing, selling alcohol to or knowingly allowing the possession or consumption of alcohol, cannabis, or nicotine at a social gathering by any person under age 21.
- The ICC does not condone the unlawful manufacture, distribution, possession, or use of controlled and illegal substances on ICC premises. The unlawful manufacture, distribution, possession, or use of controlled and illegal substances on ICC premises may be considered uncooperative behavior. Houses are encouraged to set a more detailed policy on controlled and illegal substances as needed.
- No ICC or house funds may be used to purchase controlled or illegal substances.
- Member Rights and Responsibilities: ICC members in good standing have the following rights and responsibilities:
RIGHTS | RESPONSIBILITIES |
A. To live and/or board in their assigned House and room during the period of their contracts. | a. To refrain from behavior which in any way prevents or discourages another member from living and/or boarding in their assigned House or room during the period of their contract. |
B. To live and/or board in a democratically managed House under the auspices of a democratically run organization. | b. To regularly attend House meetings and participate actively, or through their elected representatives, in the governing of their House and the ICC. To keep abreast of all House and ICC communications such as emails, newsletters, calendars, and website updates. |
C. To live and/or board in a House, and room, which are clean and sanitary. | c. To share in whatever work is required to keep the House and boarding coop clean, sanitary, in good repair, safe and secure, and operating properly. |
D. To live and/or board in an assigned House and room which are safe and secure. | d. To abide by all House and ICC security measures. Lock doors, windows, and rooms appropriately. Monitor all guests. Manage keys and lock combinations responsibly. Respect the property and privacy rights of others. Refrain from all illegal activities. |
E. To live and/or board in a House and room free from abuse, harassment and prejudicial behavior of any kind. | e. To refrain from any actions that would discriminate against, harass or abuse another member; or cause physical, emotional, or psychological harm. |
F. To privacy in their assigned room. | f. To respect the privacy rights and personal space of others. |
G. To access all House and ICC rules, policies, and financial records. | g. To pay all House and ICC charges in a timely manner. Familiarity with the ICC Standing Rules, Bylaws, policies, contracts, and House constitutions. |
H. To a balanced and fair system of dispute resolution and due process. | h. To work proactively to resolve disputes in a forthright, peaceful and civil manner – beginning at the House level whenever possible and appropriate |
I. To trained and competent House Officers; including protection from capricious or irresponsible decision making. | i. To communicate and cooperate with House Officers in the execution of their duties. To hold Officers accountable and provide constructive feedback at appropriate times and places. To be familiar with the ICC Standing Rules, and House constitutions and membership contract. Attend and actively participate in relevant meetings. |
- Cooperative Behavior Defined: Cooperative behavior is that behavior which supports the successful functioning of cooperative operations and governance and contributes to the general wellbeing of co-op members and the ICC organization. Accordingly, cooperative behavior embodies and reflects the following ICC Core Beliefs and Values as laid forth in the Preamble to these Standing Rules:
- Equality, Member Control, Individual responsibility, Sustainability, Cooperation, Self-reliance, Diversity, Community, Participation, Stewardship
- Uncooperative Behavior Defined
- Uncooperative behavior is behavior which impedes or obstructs the successful functioning of cooperative operations, and/or threatens the general wellbeing of co-op members. Members may be sanctioned for uncooperative behavior in accordance with these Standing Rules. Uncooperative behavior includes any behaviors which conflict with any of the following:
- ICC Standing Rules
- Membership Contract
- Committee policies
- House policies or constitutions
- ICC Core Beliefs and Values
- Principles of Cooperation as outlined in the preamble to the Standing Rules.
- City, state or federal laws
- Examples of Uncooperative Behavior: This section will serve as a guideline for referral and expulsion. Only in cases where a house constitution has stricter definitions of uncooperative behavior can the house constitution supersede this section.
- Failure to do Work:
- Not signing up for and/or completing the required amount of work.
- Not attending scheduled house meetings
- Behaving in a way that creates an unreasonable amount of work for others in the house.
- Not paying all house and ICC charges and fines as required.
- Making payments, bribes or other trades to avoid doing work.
- Abuse of Community Property:
- Not returning tools, dishes and equipment when finished using them.
- Infringement on the Privacy and/or Property of Others:
- Entering a member's room without permission.
- Using a member's food or possessions without permission.
- Not taking responsibility for the actions of one’s guests in the house.
- Invading the body space of another member.
- Making it unreasonable for a roommate to use their share of the room or making it unreasonable for a new member to move in.
- Actions that constitute a significant threat to the health, safety or welfare of co-op members, whether or not such actions are also subject to penalties under civil or criminal law.
- Failure to do Work:
- Uncooperative behavior is behavior which impedes or obstructs the successful functioning of cooperative operations, and/or threatens the general wellbeing of co-op members. Members may be sanctioned for uncooperative behavior in accordance with these Standing Rules. Uncooperative behavior includes any behaviors which conflict with any of the following:
- Prejudicial Behavior
- Statement of ICC Position on Prejudicial Behavior: The members of the ICC prohibit and will not tolerate prejudicial behavior. All ICC members, guests and employees have the right not to be subjected to prejudicial behavior.
- Definition of Prejudice: An attitude toward any actual, perceived or allied member of any group, formed without just grounds or sufficient knowledge, held by a person belonging to any group.
- Definition of Prejudicial Behavior: Prejudicial behavior is behavior motivated or influenced by prejudice that results in personal or group injury. It need not be intentional or persistent. It degrades on the basis of actual, perceived, or allied social group membership (including, but not limited to socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, nationality, language or citizenship, marital status, religion, political belief, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, physical/mental disability or illness, age, veteran status, height or weight.)
- Sexual Misconduct
- Statement of ICC Position on Sexual Misconduct: The members of the ICC prohibit and will not tolerate sexual misconduct. The ICC members recognize that sexual misconduct need not be intentional or persistent and that there are varying degrees of sexual misconduct. All ICC members, guests, and employees have the right not to be subjected to sexual misconduct
- Definition of Sexual Harassment: The members of the ICC define sexual harassment as any behavior that fits the following criteria:
- It is behavior that emphasizes the sexuality or the sexual identity of another person;
- It is behavior that is inappropriate and that can have a negative effect on the ability of the recipient of the behavior to fully enjoy the benefits of membership in or employment by the ICC.
- Sexual harassment may include, but is not limited to the following:
- Comments, gestures, intrusive questioning, notes, jokes, pictures, items, media and internet communication or other forms of personal attention that may create an uncomfortable or hostile environment or be perceived as sexual overtures or denigration;
- Acts of physical aggression, intimidation, hostility, or unequal treatment based on gender identity, sex assignment, or sexual orientation;
- Unwelcome advances including sexual propositions, suggestive comments, demands of a sexual nature, touching, petting, tickling, kissing, grabbing or any other invasion of personal space;
- Advances of the type mentioned in (c) through promise or rewards or coercion or threat of punishment or sanctions including but not limited to physical or emotional violence, loss of membership, or public humiliation;
- Sexual harassment may include, but is not limited to the following:
- Definition of Sexual Assault: Sexual assault is any form of sexual contact obtained without consent and/or obtained through the use of force, threat of force, intimidation, or coercion.
- Definition of Consent:
- Clear, Unambiguous, Enthusiastic, and Verbal (including sign-language) and/or Non-Verbal agreements between participants.
- All parties have the right to withdraw their consent at any point
- The ability to say yes or no with both answers being respected equally
- Must be given voluntarily without any form of force, coercion or fear being used in order to gain consent.
- Each successive act or encounter requires consent from all parties before moving any further
- The person who initiates and/or escalates sexual acts is responsible for gaining consent from other parties involved
- Consent must be given with unimpaired judgement. The person giving consent cannot be physically or mentally incapacitated in any manner.
- Definition of “incapacitated” taken from University of Michigan’s Student Sexual Misconduct policy: Lacking the physical and/or mental ability to make informed, rational judgements. This may have a variety of causes, including but not limited to, being asleep or unconscious, having consumed alcohol or taken drugs, or experiencing blackouts or flashbacks
- Stalking
- Statement of ICC Position on Stalking: The members of the ICC prohibit and will not tolerate stalking behavior.
- Definition: Stalking is defined as a willful course of conduct involving repeated or continuing harassment made against the expressed wishes of another individual, which causes that individual to feel emotional distress including fear, harassment, discomfort, intimidation or apprehension.
- Willful course of conduct refers to a pattern of behavior made up of a series of two or more separate non-continuous acts that share the same purpose.
- It is behavior that is inappropriate and that would tend to have a negative effect on the ability of the recipient of the behavior to fully enjoy the benefits of membership in or employment by the ICC.
- Stalking may include, but is not limited to the following:
- Unjustified, jealous and inappropriate intrusion into the targeted individual’s life; environment or be perceived as sexual overtures or denigration;
- Following or appearing within the sight of the targeted individual after being informed that such contact was unwanted.
- Approaching or confronting the targeted individual in a public or private place after being informed that such contact was unwanted.
- Appearing at the residence or in the personal space of the targeted individual after being informed that such contact was unwanted.
- Sending unwanted gifts or objects to the targeted person.
- Entering or remaining in the targeted individual’s residence or personal space after being requested to leave.
- Contacting the targeted individual by telephone, mail, electronic communication, surrogates, or any other means, after being informed that such contact was unwanted.