Senior Cooperative Housing Council
Guidelines/Procedures
Last Revised 06/03/10

Purpose:
The Senior Cooperative Housing Council is a Cooperative Network sector committee comprised of members, directors and managers of Minnesota senior housing cooperatives that are members of the Cooperative Network.  The Council meets quarterly.  Its purposes are:
1.  To plan educational programs, including quarterly workshops and the annual Senior Cooperative Housing Conference, on issues pertaining to cooperative living.
2.  Foster interaction between member cooperatives.
3.  Influence legislative action that pertains to Senior Housing Cooperatives.
4.  Promote the development of Senior Housing Cooperatives.

Representation:
1.   Two members and a manager from each Cooperative Network member senior housing cooperative may attend the quarterly business meetings.  The member cooperative board should select a delegate and an alternate who are interested in participating on a regular basis (one to two year terms, for example) so that there is consistency of attendance.  The member cooperative should notify the Cooperative Network office with the names of the individuals they have chosen to be their delegate/alternate.  The appointed members should report back to the member cooperative board on the activities of the Senior Cooperative Housing Council so that the cooperatives stay informed.
2.   The voting structure is one vote per member cooperative by the delegate.
3.   A cooperative considering membership may send one or more members and the manager as observers without a vote to several meetings in anticipation of joining.

Meetings/Procedures:
1.   Cooperative Network Bylaws are the governing Bylaws for the Council.
2.   The Council will hold meetings (within reason) during the months of February, August and November.  At the November meeting, the Planning Committee for the Annual SCH Conference will be appointed.  At the February meeting, the Council will be updated as to progress on the Conference.  At the August meeting, the emphasis workshop scheduling and the election of Officers.
3.   As much as possible, these meetings will be held on the first Wednesday of the month, at a place designated by the chair.
4.   Education workshops will (within reason) be held during January, July, and October, with the annual conference held in May.
5.   Members of member cooperatives and key people pertinent to the Council may be appointed to Council committees.

Costs:
1.   There will be no charge at this time for attendance at the quarterly Council business meetings.
2.   Quarterly workshops are designed to provide a learning experience for all involved with senior cooperative housing.  Thus, the price per person will remain low and we will continue to encourage open attendance.
3.   The annual Senior Cooperative Housing Conference will support a fee differentiation for Cooperative Network members versus non-members, with the conference registration fee being lower for Cooperative Network members.
4.   Any materials and training programs developed by the Cooperative Network and the Senior Cooperative Housing Council will have a price advantage for Cooperative Network members.

Officers and Duties:
1.   Every odd numbered year, the Council elects officers from different cooperatives for two-year terms.  These officer elections are held in August.  Candidates for these positions must be members in good standing of Cooperative Network member cooperatives.  A nominating committee is appointed by the chair.  In years when an election is held, the August meeting will be held in alternating North/South areas of Minnesota, at a location central to the most potential attendees of that area.  In non-election years, the August meeting will be held in the Twin Cities area.
2.   Duties of the Chair include, but are not limited to chairing the Council meetings, working with the Cooperative Network staff regarding planning for activities, and acting as a resource for information on cooperative living and governance.
3.   Duties of the Vice Chair include, but are not limited to assisting the Chair, chairing the Council meetings when the Chair is absent, and any duties assigned by the Chair.
4.   Duties of the Secretary include but are not limited to taking notes at meetings and assisting the Chair.

Cooperative Network Housing Seat
1.   In accordance with procedures set up by the Cooperative Network, any member cooperative may nominate a Housing Sector Director or District Director to the Cooperative Network Board.  This election occurs at the Cooperative Network Annual Meeting.  According to the Bylaws of the Cooperative Network, the nominee must be a Board member or employee of their cooperative.  If such a nominee is not available, the Board of the Cooperative Network will appoint an advisory Board member for the Housing Sector, based on a recommendation by the Senior Cooperative Housing Council.
2.   The Director representing the Housing Sector will be expected to attend the Council meetings (within reason) to keep the Council informed of Cooperative Network activities.

Associate Housing Members of Cooperative Network:
1.   Associate members are business entities or individuals that serve the Senior Cooperative Housing industry (i.e. developers, management companies, insurance agencies, architects, etc.)
2.   Associate members may send two representatives to the Council meetings, but they will not have voting rights.
3.   Associate member representatives may be appointed to Council committees.

Newsletter:
1.   The newsletter is sent by email to all Cooperative Network Senior Cooperative Housing members.  They may reprint all or part of the newsletter for distribution to their members.  The newsletter is distributed on a quarterly basis in the months of March, June, September and December.