Guest policy
Contents |
Background
Why we voted on the existing policy,
We had a guest policy on the books, dating from the 1980s, stating that each member was entitled to three free guest nights per month, after that each additional guest night was to be charged at $15 per night. This could be used in many ways, including one person for three nights, two people for two nights but the host would pay for one night, etc.
There has been disagreement in the house over who is a guest and who is not, for example, some members felt their partners should not be considered guests, others felt that the original guest policy meant all guests, not just those who used the guest room. People with partners were not bothering to pay, while people with regular guests were. There was an eventual breakdown in the system as people with regular guests began to feel that others weren't bothering with the policy, so why should they? It became a contentious and confusing issue.
A policy committee was formed to look into this, and drafted what it proposed as an interim policy. There was much debate (three full house meetings' worth), and the final draft of the policy was voted in as a regular policy.
It is still somewhat contentious, however, and should be revisited by the end of 2007 to see if house members find it useful. The item causing the most contention is item six, guest contributions.
For the record, the policy committee was, Stephen Wandling, Keri Whitehead, Colin Stewart, with help from Pete Lypkie
Policy
Definition of guest
Everyone not a Coop member or trial member is a guest, and must be assigned to a Coop member or trial member as a host. If no member steps up to be the host, then that person must leave.
Responsibility
All members are responsible for their own guest. This responsibility includes, but is not limited to, the guest's behavior, and the giving out of door codes. Only give the door code to your own guest, and please use your discretion about who you give the code to.
Notification
Give as much notice as possible if you are expecting an overnight or dinner guest. Try your best to notify the Coop about people who will be in the house.
Limit on guest nights
If requested by two or more Coopers, then a vote on a guest's stay will take place. In the case that there are two objectors, then after a four day limit then the guest must leave until the house has a meeting and can decide on a longer stay.
Dealing with problem guests
- If any Coop member or trial member feels, at anytime, that a guest poses a threat to another member, themselves, or the property, the guest will be asked to leave
- If any Coop member or trial member has an issue with a guest, the member must approach the guest's host member directly, and the host member must address the concern immediately and directly. If the problem cannot be resolved, then an emergency house meeting is called.
Guest contributions
There will be no mandatory charge for overnight or dinner guests. However, guests and/or their hosts will be expected to contribute in some way according to ability so their stay is not a burden for others. Cash donation, cleaning up after themselves, joining our conversations, ???
