Cohousing-L Mailing List: CoHousing Co-op Management practices

[RAYGASSER (RAYGASSER]

One of our group is working on the management structure of the co-op we're
forming, and asked me to ask y'all for some input. You can either reply
directly to him (Jay Jacobsen, jsj1 [at] cornell.edu), or to me 
(raygasser [at] delphi.com) & I'll forward. Thanks.

>Ray;  Please send to co-housing list.  Thanks, Jay

     EcoVillage of Ithaca is in the process of forming a cooperative and I'd
like to know which system of management is used by other co-housing
cooperatives.  There are several possibilities with advantages and
limitations to each one.  How well do the ones in use work?  Are there
different models than the ones listed? 
 
I.  Continue to make all decisions at  frequent shareholder meetings with
the Board of Directors of the Cooperative elected to sign documents.
Committees formed by shareholders carry out tasks and manage the Cooperative..
II.  Directors elected annually by shareholders make all decisions
concerning management of the Cooperative at frequent meetings of Directors.
Committees of shareholders are formed by Directors to carry out tasks.
Directors can be recalled if shareholders are unhappy with their decisions.
III.  Continuous sharing of power whereby Directors make decisions and
submit each of  them to shareholders for approval.
  
      Management activities are anticipated to fall into the following
categories:
1.  Preparation of annual budgets and financial statements.
2.  Payment of all expenses and fixing of annual maintenance fees.
3.  Managing bank accounts, borrowing money on behalf of Cooperative.
4.  Entering into contracts, hiring personnel such as accountants,
attorneys, laborers.
5.  Executing leases, allocating shares, purchasing, selling and consenting
to sale of housing units.
6.  Operating, maintaining, repairing houses and Common House.
7.  Determining and enforcing house rules and investigating complaints.

Jay Jacobson  jsj1 [at] cornell.edu