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MIM's Empowerment Academy
Training Classes
 
 

Visitor / Visiting Member Training Classes
#1 - Guiding Principles

1. Express Yourself individualistically.
We value the right of individual self expression that does not violate another person or group.

2. Love God/s - a higher power, however or whatever you perceive
God/s to be. Unconditionally love all people equally.

3. Have compassion.
Make a difference in someone’s life today by showing mercy today.

4. Selflessly Serve.
Do something, act for the betterment of all without a selfish motive.

5. Participate in right and fair labor practices.
Become, seek and promote balance of labor and exchange of resources.

6. Practice non-violence – doesn’t hurt others
and conciliation – each gives up something to come to a peaceful, just agreement as a peaceful conflict resolution tool.

7. Learn to think, to think – how your brain works
to learn – gain more knowledge
to care for self, one another and the earth sustainably.

8. Share Resources. Everything is a resource.

9. Be tolerant of another persons perception of reality and their self-expressions.

10. Participate in decision making.


#2 - Constitution of the Pearl House of Peace
        Anderson, Indiana

I. Purpose
Pearl House of Peace is a quasi-communal and prototype affordable housing cooperative community of Mercy International Ministry’s for mentally, emotionally and economically disadvantaged (MEED) people and their families. The purpose of our constitution is to provide a guiding document that outlines the expectations of Pearl House Shared Household Members (SHM’s), visitors and friends of community member’s behavior, responsibilities and activity while on the premises of community property, in community vehicles and during community events and/or outings. Our purpose of creating this document is not intended to provide or for it to become a box of hard and fast rules. If we are to err, we choose to err on the side of unconditional love and mercy for the sake of peace, safety and provision of holistic solutions; and to provide caring and sharing guidelines for all Pearl House SHM’s and those affiliated with Pearl House SHM’s.
II. Shared Household Responsibilities
1. Behave and communicate in an uncensored manner conducive to a creatively peaceful, positive and productive environment
2. Abstain from hostile behavior and activity such as:
A. Warlike – fighting/physical contact
B. Aggressive – tending towards unprovoked offensives, attacks, invasive or militantly forward
C. Antagonistic – struggle against in opposition
D. Unfriendly – not kindly, unsympathetic, not amicable
E. Verbal assaults
1) Verbal assaults in anger are neither kind nor peaceful in nature; and are not conducive to a positive, productive environment.
2) Aggressive, habitual verbal assault on community members will not be tolerated.
3) A 500 word essay to include an apology for the assault, why it happened, what the offender could have done different and what the offender will do different in the future in conjunction with an LTO until the essay is written can be given to an offender by a Guiding Anchor, Program Coordinator, Business Manager and/or a minimum of 80 % of Pearl House Shared Household Members (SHM’s) by consensus.
II. Shared Household Responsibilities Continued
3. Contribute to household and MIM’s sustainability
A. Economic contribution - $150 per month (A barter of community service is available in lieu of and/or a combination of $’s and additional community service for those without incomes to meet $150 fee.)
B. Business labor contributions
1) SPRM Publishing
2) Heart Art Productions
3) Fire Rising Band
4) Other business labor contributions approved by Business Manager
C. Contribute minimum ten hours approved business labor/community service
1) Complete 1 approved and separate (a & s) project weekly and review w/ Guiding Anchor (GA)
2) Complete 1 a & s project monthly and review with GA
3) Complete 1 a & s project quarterly and review with GA
4) Complete 1 a & s project yearly and review with GA
D. Personal Development
1) Any new knowledge you want to learn
2) Share gained knowledge with others who are interested
3) Obtain necessary legal personal documentation
4) Concrete steps to obtain GED, High School Diploma, formal higher education or start a community business
a) Minimum ten hours per week
b) Complete and review with GA minimum of
one step per week for each needed
E. Ninja Roundtable Forum
1) Mandatory meeting for all SHM’s once per month at a restaurant location or other location (Salvation Army, etc.) away from Pearl House
2) Date & time posted 1 month in advance on house calendar
3) Include meal and/or refreshments
4) Open with one minute of silence and/or one positive song or poem. Eat and finish meal.
5) Topics of discussion
a) Contributions to sustainability
b) Ongoing conflicts and potential solutions
c) Future long term projects
d) Ideals
1- 10 minute positive presentation
2- Presented by different house member each month
F. House Hold Maintenance Responsibilities
1) A.M. and P.M. duties
2) A.M. duties to be completed by 6 pm
3) P.M. duties to be completed by 6 am
4) Kitchen is closed to stove cooking by 10 pm – microwave only after 10 pm
5) All old, spoiled foods in or out of fridge to be thrown away.
6) Final kitchen clean up by P.M. duties person to be completed by 11 pm
7) Miscellaneous maintenance projects to be done as needed

III. Personal Responsibilities
1. Health
A. Each person is responsible for their own health
B. Pearl House members will assist, as able, with providing referrals for professional visits and coordinating and/or providing transportation in emergency/crises situations, professional visit appointments and for peaceful, positive and productive diversionary activities which contribute to stress management.
C. Each person is responsible for their own financial obligations past, present and future concerning health, and other issues.
2. Personal Property and Belongings
A. Each person is responsible for all of their own individual personal property.
B. Personal electronics to be stored in communal bunk rooms when not in use. Electronics which are battery operable – use batteries.
C. Any food, drinks, hygiene items, etc. you wish to reserve for yourself, clearly label with a dark maker or pen.
D. Any personal property and/or belongings brought onto the premises of Pearl House are limited to two suitcases for Visiting SHM’s. Other SHM’s additional property and belongings will be evaluated on a case by case basis by a GA or Coop Owner as to what will be allowed to be brought on the property.
E. After vacating premises, personal property and belongings will be held a maximum of 7 days without written permission of a time extension.
1) After holding personal property and belongings for 7 days, it becomes the legal property and belongings of Pearl House.
2) Property and belongings will be redistributed and/or disposed of by GA or Coop Owner.
III. Personal Responsibilities Continued
3. Personal Household Maintenance
A. Daily check the General Household Cleanup Responsibilities on the bulletin board.
B. Do your scheduled responsibilities by appointed time
C. Everyone, if you see something that needs to be done, if you are willing, just do it. Or, check bulletin board to see whose responsibility it is and kindly remind person of their responsibility. If it hasn’t been done in an hour or so, ask someone else to remind them. If this does not resolve the issue, ask a GA to remind them. If this becomes an ongoing issue with this person, ask GA to call a house meeting to help resolve issue peacefully and collectively. If GA is unavailable, Coop Owner, Business Manager, Program Coordinator or House Manager may call a house meeting to address the issue.
D. If you smoke, no smoking allowed upstairs or inside the house.
In cold weather only, smoking is allowed in the wash room. Use ashtrays and daily empty an ashtray.
E. Monthly, "all hands on deck" for miscellaneous household maintenance.
F. Utility consumption should be utilized to a minimum as much as possible.
1) Lights should be turned off and other electrical items unplugged when not in use.
2) In cold weather, use the back door as much as possible.
3) Keep the wood stove burning and front door from being overly used to keep the gas furnace from constantly running.
4) Fill kitchen sink with wash and rinse water, when washing dishes.
5) Water spigots should be completely turned off and not left dripping.
4. Legal Issues, Legal Entanglements and Consequences
A. There is a "Don’t ask. Don’t tell." Zero Tolerance Policy of illegal - substances, paraphernalia, fire arms and weapons on community property, in community vehicles and at sanctioned community events. Impromptu visual room and community vehicle checks for health and welfare, safety and illegal - substances, paraphernalia, fire arms and weapons will be conducted by GA’s.
B. A 3 day LTO can be given to anyone who engages in warlike – fighting/physical contact and/or illegal activity while on community property, in community vehicles and at sanctioned community events or blatant stealing of another’s personal property.
1) There must be a visual witness other than a significant other.
2) Victim and witness must report incident to GA’s within 24 hours.
3) Within same 24 hours, victim and perpetrator of warlike- fighting/physical contact come together with minimum of 80% of community members to resolve conflict and put diversion plan into action in an objective manner.
4) GA, Business Manager and 80% of SHM’s have the authority, on a case by case basis, to decide by consensus whether to grant mercy and an alternative consequence for violating any and all guidelines.
C. Comply with any and all probation or parole requirements
D. Mandatory community at large service for those on probation or parole.
1) Minimum additional 5 hours per week
2) Approved by GA’s or Business Manager
3) Community service slips signed and turned into GA’s
4) Continue for three months after coming into community.
5. Information Awareness
A. Ask GA for overview of MIM’s Model of Empowerment within 7 days after becoming a member of Pearl House
B Complete mandatory 12 weeks/sessions of Novice Training
C. Check dry erase board and bulletin board daily
D. We are a community of members who have chosen to live in close proximity with each other. Be aware we are a community at higher than normal risk for communicable diseases.
IV. Conflict Resolution and Crises Intervention
1. We are a peacemaking community and we 1st attempt to handle our conflicts and crises internally one on one.
2. Our 2nd step is to have another community member assist with conflict and/or crises.
3. 3rd is to have a GA assist with beginning our conflict and crises management plan.
4. 4th is to have our Crises Care Team, consisting of both sets of Guiding Anchors, to utilize our conflict and crises management plan
5. When possible and necessary, separate those in conflict. Divert all parties in conflict to separate locations, if possible and when necessary.
6. When Crises Care Team deems necessary, call a house meeting for a diversionary plan of action by consensus of a minimum of 80% of members.
7. When necessary, call in community at larges’ professional Crises Intervention Team.
8. In the case of conflict beyond the ability of the household to come to a resolution, both conflicting parties must first notify with a brief outline and request a meeting date and time with the Conflict Resolution Team.
9. In life threatening situations, if in doubt, call 911.
V. Caring and Sharing Guidelines
One through six adapted from National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Madison County, Indiana Bylaws
1. There is strength in sharing
2. Do not define a person by the illness-recognize the neurobiology of serious mental illness.
3. Aim for better coping skills-reject stigma-embrace humor-
Forgive ourselves and others.
4. Do not judge anyone’s pain as less than our own.
5. Accept that we cannot resolve all problems-expect a better future-
Never give up hope!
6. Start meetings on time-maintain confidentiality, when asked to do so-
Be respectful of others-empathize with each other.
7. When faced with a challenging and/or overwhelming situation with a person, activate PAN (Personal Adaptive Need) of MIM’s Model of Empowerment as needed and apply with unconditional love, acceptance and tolerance. Be the willow and walk away.

I. Amendments
1. This document can be amended in the future.
2. For this document to be amended, a socially just cause must first be identified.
3. Amendments must be in the best interest of Pearl House SHM’s and the community at large it serves.
4. Any and all amendments must enhance the long-term sustainability of Pearl House and adhere to the MIM’s Place of Community State of Indiana Cooperative Agreement.
5. A minimum of 95% of current Pearl House Resident SHM’s and Coop Owner SHM’s, a minimum of one past Pearl House SHM’s, a minimum of one current board member other than a current or past SHM and one current Intentional Neighbor Member (INM) may decide by consensus to amend this constitution only when all of the total five conditions are met.


#3 - Introduction to Affordable Housing and Affordable Housing Cooperatives

1. What is Affordable Housing?
Wikipedia, the free on-line encyclopedia
Affordable housing is a dwelling where the total housing costs are affordable to those living in that housing unit. In the United States and Canada, a commonly accepted guideline for housing affordability is a housing cost that does not exceed 30% of a household's gross income. Housing costs considered in this guideline generally include taxes and insurance for owners, and sometimes include utility costs. When the monthly carrying costs of a home exceed 30-35% of household income, then the housing is considered unaffordable for that household. (Note that for some US programs, maximum housing cost limits are set as high as 40% gross income.)

2. What is a Cooperative?
The International Cooperative Alliance, representing cooperatives around the world, approved the following statement in 1996:

A cooperative is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise.
Cooperatives are based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity, and solidarity. In the tradition of their founders, cooperative members believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility, and caring for others.

3. What is an Affordable Housing Cooperative?
American Journal of Economics and Sociology, The, Oct, 2000 by Gerald W. Sazama

A housing cooperative is a cooperative where member-residents jointly own their building. Ideally, member-residents democratically control the cooperative, and receive the social and economic benefits from living in and owning the cooperative. An affordable housing cooperative is available to moderate-, or low-income families.
Circumstances and methods of the affordable housing cooperative movement vary decade by decade, but the objective of this movement is constant: to obtain for low- and moderate-income families decent housing, at an affordable price, with effective resident control.

4. Barriers and Challenges of an Affordable Housing Cooperatve
Affordable Housing Cooperatives – Conditions and prospects in Chicago

There are barriers and challenges to cooperative development and sustainability;
they include lack of funding, lack of education & information, lack of member
participation and management related problems. These are critical areas to address in
order in order to ensure the viability and attractiveness of this housing option.
There are policies, programs and practices employed at the federal, state and local
government as well as organizational levels that address these barriers. If adopted, these
models can inform policy initiatives and practices and promote affordable
housing cooperative development (in Chicago).

The potential of cooperative housing as a significant business prospect, a viable affordable housing option and a vehicle for community stability renders it a subject of interest that should be investigated by all concerned. It is crucial that policy makers, public agencies entrusted with the promotion of affordable housing and stable communities, financial institution active in the housing market, as well as other stakeholders earnestly explore the possible place of cooperative housing as an affordable housing model and evaluate their respective roles for its success.


#4 - Cooperative Living

Members not only are they responsible for their actions, but they experience the direct consequences of these actions.

I. Values
Cooperatives are based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity, and solidarity. In the tradition of their founders, cooperative members believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility, and caring for others.
II. Principles
Voluntary and Open Membership
Democratic Member Control
Member Economic Participation
Autonomy and Independence
Education, Training and Information
Cooperation among Co-operatives
Concern for Community
III. Why are you here?
1. 3 Hots & a Cot
A. Visit 7-14 days
B. "Let’s get acquainted time".
C. High levels of personal responsibility and participation in coop activities are not required.
D. After 14 days
1) Visitor/Visiting Member will be asked to leave OR
2) Visitor/Visiting Member may be voted in as a Novice Member to offer further exploration to experience cooperative living, if Visitor/Visiting Member has 20 community service hours.
2. Get on your feet
A. 3 months
B. Short-term
C. Personal responsibility and
participation in coop activities are required
D. After 3 months
1) You will be asked to leave OR
2) Novice Membership may be extended for additional 3 month increments, if Novice Member has been
a. Cooperative and
b. Non-violent
3. Cooperative Minded
A. Indefinite Long-term
B. Personal responsibility and
participation in coop activities are required
C. Novice Members may retain long-term Novice Membership, if Novice Members have been
a. Cooperative
b. Non-violent and
c. Maintain a minimum of 50% of their personal accountability
4. Builder
a. Long-term
b. .Increased personal responsibility and
participation in coop activities are required
c. Novice Member may be voted in as Resident
Member, if Novice Member has been
d. Cooperative
e. Non-violent
f. Maintained accountability across the board or recognized by Cooperative Owner Members to be Cooperative Minded and Builders
g. Resident Member may be voted in as a Coop
Owner Member, if Resident Member has been
1. Cooperative
2. Non-violent
3. Maintained accountability across the board or recognized by Cooperative Owner Members to be Cooperative Minded and Builders


#5 - Cooperative Principles
You are here to serve and to be served.

The cooperative principles are guidelines by which cooperatives put their values into practice.

First Principle: Voluntary and Open Membership
Cooperatives are voluntary organizations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political, or religious discrimination.
Second Principle: Democratic Member Control
Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions. Men and women serving as elected representatives are accountable to the membership. In primary cooperatives members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote) and cooperatives at other levels are organized in a democratic manner.
Third Principle: Member Economic Participation
Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative. At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the cooperative. They usually receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a condition of membership. Members allocate surpluses for any of all of the following purposes: developing the cooperative, possibly by setting up reserves, part of which at least would be indivisible; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the cooperative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership.
Fourth Principle: Autonomy and Independence
Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organizations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their cooperative autonomy.
Fifth Principle: Education, Training and Information
Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperatives. They inform the general public -- particularly young people and opinion leaders -- about the nature and benefits of cooperation.
Sixth Principle: Cooperation among Co-operatives
Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional, and international structures.
Seventh Principle: Concern for Community
While focusing on members needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies accepted by their members. Adopted in Manchester (UK) by the General Assembly of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA). 23 September 1995, on the occasion of the Alliance's Centenary. The Statement was the product of a lengthy process of consultation involving thousands of cooperatives around the world.



#6 - MIM's Model of Empowerment and Purpose

Each part of MIM's Model of Empowerment has a multi-dimensional nature. And, each is designed to be activated and applied simultaneously, as needed, to be most effective.

Each person and family is the reason for our existence. We value people and relationships. All of our work begins with people in mind.

We include the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in our model, not because they approve or are directly involved with our forming organization but, because of their educational resources and supportive network already in place for people with serious, persistent metal illness and their families. Our purpose in including them is to, with concerted effort, collaborate with them to address stigma and discrimination of people with mental illness through education.

Each of the eight connecting circles includes two distinct identities: Armor Bearers Of the Weak (ABOW) Force and Crises Intervention Team (CIT).

Our ABOW Force includes any person and/or organization willing and able to facilitate the establishment of our own foundation. The purpose of our foundation will be to grant musical instruments, art resources and fees for music and art resources for diversionary activities and potential economic sustainability; and it will grant seed money for business and economic development. Our ABOW Force will also do fundraisers and coordinate social activities that aide our non-profit work.

Our CIT will collaboratively develop a strategy with professional community member's at large of how to keep the peace and divert potential crises situations within our own community. This plan will include when outside professionals are needed to assist our community with safety and peace keeping issues.

Spiritual Spoke: We believe the masses of the human species seek a spiritual experience and/or seek a peaceful and/or just human experience. Also, we believe selfless service / sharing resources and non-violence constitute the highest and purest form of any religious teaching and spirituality. Therefore, for our model to be holistic in nature, we believe exploration of diverse forms of spirituality is a necessary component for it to be effective.

Family Spoke: According to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, humans have the innate need to belong. The Family Spoke is designed to give a person a "family unit" to belong to and a functional support system as an aide of empowerment.

Artistic Spoke: The Artistic Spoke is included to encourage diverse forms of expression as a diversionary and peacemaking activity; and it is to explore and develop art cottage - industry businesses for economic development.

Educational Spoke: We believe knowledge is the key to "k(no)w-ledge" kind of living. We believe in and are adapting "Gandhi's Seven Steps to Global Change". Re-education is a key to global change and has the potential for aiding in bringing global peace. We value all knowledge equally and strive to not censure any for the purpose of benefiting ourselves and for the benefit of others.

Employment Options: We believe the disadvantaged population can be economically and socially supported at the local level. We believe centralized government control and socio-economic support is not necessary. We endeavor to aide the disadvantaged locally by creating business with the intention of them becoming self-employed, employed by our businesses and/or coops, and/or facilitating their employment and/or community service work as part of their barter for residency membership.

Personal Adaptive Need (PAN): The PAN Spoke is included with the specific intention of including what we refer to as our "safety net". We believe enough programs exist where a person needing services must adapt to a programs environment in order to receive needed services. So, when situations arise and a person has extreme difficulty adapting to the situation, with mercy we strive diligently to adapt to the person instead for the sake of peace, safety and provision of holistic solutions.

Immediate Physical Needs (Food,Clothing,Shelter) Spoke: Providing sustenance needs is the foundation of our mercy/social-service and empowerment work. It is our initial step of facilitating a person's growth to become a contribution to society.

Mental Health Professional Services Spoke: We believe each person has the right to self-determine their own mental health status and needs. However, when our community evaluates, by consensus, that a persons behavior/s and state of mind is negatively affecting that persons contribution to our community, and society in general, and it is negatively affecting their own personal life, we will refer them to resources outside of our community that are qualified to potentially effect a peaceful, positive and productive behavioral change.



#7 - Shared Vision
Our fundamental shared vsion is to live self-determined lives in the least restricted environment.

As an organized body of individuals living in a shared household community, we are here to serve and and be served. For some, it means learning about and being exposed to living and working in a cooperative (coop) - like environment; and to potentially move on to living in an affordable, coop house and/or working in a coop business. For others, it means an opportunity to move ahead with an independent life. Still for others, it is a brief, temporary and merciful solution.

The Roles and Responsibilities of each individual aides the collective peaceful, positive and producitve daily operation of not only the shared household, but also the mission, vision and purpose of MIM’s Corporation.

(Basic) Roles and Responsibilities of Shared Household Members
Effective June 1, 2008
See Manuals for details.
I. Roles and Responsibilities
A. Roles – expected behaviors, rights and obligations
Each is expected to behave in a peaceful, positive and productive manner. Each has the right to membership according to membership status requirements.
Each is entitled to the privileges of the membership status as long as membership requirements are adhered to.
Each is obligated to be accountable for their behavior and responsibilities.
B. Responsibilities – duty and obligation to act without authority or guidance
Each has the duty and obligation to cooperate with one another as Shared Household Members to ensure the doors of Pearl House of Peace remain open by adhering to member roles and responsibilities.
II. Roles
A. Shared Household Member – anyone who lives at Pearl House of Peace
1. Visitor / Visiting Member
2. Novice Member
3. Resident Member
4. Coop Owner Member
B. Operation Guides– anyone who lives at Pearl House of Peace and guides the work
1. Business Manager
a. House Manager
1-. Cleaning Coordinator
2- Maintenance Coordinator
3- Food Services Coordinator
4- Security Coordinator
b. Program Manager
1- Arts Coordinator
2- Business and Economic Development Coordinator
3- Out Reach Coordinator
4- SPRM Publishing Coordinator
2. Guiding Anchor
3. Business Administrator
III. Responsibilities
A. Shared Household Member
1. Visitor / Visiting Member
a. Be peaceful / non-violent. No aggressive, warlike, antagonistic, unfriendly behavior or verbal assaults directed to anyone person or group of people.
b. Share resources as willing and able with others.
c. Come to meetings as willing and able.
d. Share in general household activities as willing and able. e. Read Constitution of the Pearl House of Peace
2. Novice Member
a. Read a second time, take test, sign and adhere to
Constitution of Pearl House of Peace
b. Attend all house meetings
c. Participate in Novice Training Program
d. Participate in MIM’s Empowerment Academy
3. Resident Member
a. Read a third time, take test and adhere to
Constitution of Pearl House of Peace
b. Attend all house meetings
c. Participate in Resident Training Program
d. Participate in MIM’s Empowerment Academy
e. Read, take test and adhere to
MIM’s Place of Community State of Indiana Agreement
4. Coop Owner Member
a. Adhere to Constitution of Pearl House of Peace
b. Attend all house meetings
c. Adhere to
MIM’s Place of Community State of Indiana Agreement
d. Participate in MIM’s Empowerment Academy
5. Accountability of members for membership status
a. Visiting and Novice Members are accountable to
Coop Owner Members
b. Resident Members are accountable to
Coop Owner Members and MIM’s Place of Community State of Indiana
b. Coop Owner Members are accountable to
MIM’s Place of Community Cooperative State of Indiana and MIM’s Corporation
B. Operation Guides
1. Business Manager
- Responsible for daily Pearl House operations and
sustainability
- Accountable to Coop Owner Members, MIM’s Place of Community Cooperative Indiana and MIM’s Corporation
a. House Manager
1- Ensure property is clean, maintained and secure.
2- Ensure daily adequate food supply
3- Attend and facilitate all house meetings, if asked to do so by the Business Manager or
Business Administrator
4- Accountable to Business Manager
a- Cleaning Coordinator
1) Ensure Daily Duties of the Household Responsibilities is completed according to Household Responsibilities Sheet
2) Work cooperatively with members to complete the daily duties
3) Attend all house meetings
4) Accountable to House Manager
b- Maintenance Coordinator
1) Ensure Maintenance Responsibilities of the Pearl House physical property
is complete according to the property upkeep needs
2) Work cooperatively with members
to upkeep the physical property
3) Attend all house meetings
4) Accountable to House Manager
c- Food Services Coordinator
1) Work cooperatively with members to procure food supply
2) Process and store incoming food supply
3) Coordinate the evening meal prep
4) Attend all house meetings
5) Accountable to House Manager
d- Security Coordinator
1) Ensure the safety and peace of the house and its members.
2) Ensure people who do not live in the house, log in when coming in and going out.
3) Attend all house meetings 4) Accountable to House Manager
b. Program Manager
-Responsible for all program activities
-Accountable to Coop Owner Members, Business Manager and MIM’s Place of Community Cooperative Indiana
1-. Arts Coordinator
a- Brainstorm with members to develop
Art Program
b- Facilitate festivals with Program Manager
c- Participate and promote Art Program
d- Meet with other community at large
Art Program personnel
e- Attend all program meetings
f- Accountable to Program Manager
2- Business and Economic Development Coordinator
a- Brainstorm with members to develop Businesses
b- Develop marketing plan for businesses
W/ members
c- Meet with other community at large Business & Economic Dev. personnel
d- Participate & promote business and economic dev.
e- Attend all program meetings
f- Accountable to Program Manager
3- Out Reach Coordinator
a- Collect, receive, distribute & send thank you notes for donations
b- Develop, maintain list and visit former
Shared Household Members
c- Visit members and others in hospital, jail and other residential programs
d- Develop and facilitate block party
e- Assist with new member assimilation
f- Act as Liaison between Pearl House
and Community at large
g- Develop and promote positive image of Pearl House
h- Meet with other community at large
Out Reach personnel
i- Develop other outreach efforts as needed
j- Develop Out Reach Team
k- Attend all program and house meetings
l- Accountable to Program Manager
III. Shared Household Responsibilities Continued
B. Operation Guides
4- SPRM Publishing Coordinator
a- Neighbors Connect Newsletter
b- www.InTheKnow-SPRMPublishing.com
c- Other
d- Meet with other publishers and coordinators
of the community at large
e- Develop Publishing Team
f- Produce and distribute publications
g- Attend all program and house meetings
h- Accountable to Program Manager, Business Manager, MIM’s Place of Community Cooperative Indiana and MIM’s Corporation
2. Guiding Anchor
-.Responsible to a. guide the work and anchor the peace -Accountable to Program Manager, Business Manager and Coop Owner Members
a. Read, test and adhere to GA Training Manual
b. Attend all program and house meetings
3. Business Administrator
-Responsible for accountability
a. Reports of all Shared Household Members
and Operation Guides
b. Membership Status and Census or can delegate this to the House Manager
-Accountable to MIM’s Place of Community Indiana Cooperative and MIM’s Corporation
a. Conduct weekly Accountability of SHM’s
b Submit weekly copies of Accountability forms to
MIM’s Place of Community
Cooperative State of Indiana
c. Facilitate and attend all program and house meetings
or can delegate this to the House Manager
d. Assess Pearl House and its members needs
or can delegate this to the House Manager
e. Facilitate grant writing and grant acquisitions
*** These Roles and Responsibilities are subject to updates and changes according to the needs of its members and the community at large which it serves.



#8 - Human Rights

On December 10, 1948 the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  Following this historic act the Assembly called upon all Member countries to publicize the text of the Declaration and "to cause it to be disseminated, displayed, read and expounded principally in schools and other educational institutions, without distinction based on the political status of countries or territories."

PREAMBLE

Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,
Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,
Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,
Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,
Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,
Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,
Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,

Now, Therefore THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY proclaims THIS UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.

Article 1.
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Article 2.
Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.
Article 3.
Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
Article 4.
No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.
Article 5.
No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Article 6.
Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.
Article 7.
All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.
Article 8.
Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.
Article 9.
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.
Article 10.
Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.
Article 11.
(1) Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence.
(2) No one shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offence was committed.
Article 12.
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.
Article 13.
(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.
(2) Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.
Article 14.
(1) Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.
(2) This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
Article 15.
(1) Everyone has the right to a nationality.
(2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.
Article 16.
(1) Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.
(2) Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.
(3) The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.
Article 17.
(1) Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.
(2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.
Article 18.
Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
Article 19.
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
Article 20.
(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
(2) No one may be compelled to belong to an association.
Article 21.
(1) Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.
(2) Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country.
(3) The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.
Article 22.
Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.
Article 23.
(1) Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.
(2) Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.
(3) Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.
(4) Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.
Article 24.
Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.
Article 25.
(1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
(2) Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.
Article 26.
(1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
(2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.
(3) Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.
Article 27.
(1) Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.
(2) Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.
Article 28.
Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.
Article 29.
(1) Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.
(2) In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.
(3) These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
Article 30.

Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.



#9 - TOLERANCE

 Fight Hate and Promote Tolerance.  Tolerance.org

Declaration of Tolerance

Tolerance is a personal decision that comes from a belief that every person is a treasure. I believe that America's diversity is its strength. I also recognize that ignorance, insensitivity and bigotry can turn that
diversity into a source of prejudice and discrimination.
To help keep diversity a wellspring of strength and make America a better place for all, I pledge to have respect for people whose abilities, beliefs, culture, race, sexual identity or other characteristics are different from my own.

Things we can do –

Examine our own biases and work to overcome them
Set a positive example for our family and friends
Work for tolerance in our own community
Speak out against hate and injustice.

For all our differences, we share one world. To be tolerant is to welcome the differences and delight in the sharing.
We define tolerance as – putting up with other peoples "shit" and getting over it. People are people. People think and express themselves differently.
We are seeking a more tolerant world, co-creating and building it one person at a time, person to person. We are building Soldiers of Tolerance to co-create a more just and peaceful community and world.

Soldiers of Tolerance
©2008 by Angela Micelli Suarez

There's a place in our minds been part of humanity's time.
Been throwin' our fists. ignorantly full of bliss.
Consciousness is shiftin'. peacemakers liftin'
Tolerance to new heights.
Soldiers of Tolerance are pushin' the limits.
Progressively, peacefully, non-violently wagin’ war.
Soldiers of Tolerance pushin' the limits.
Seekin', tweakin' a way to redefine
Eliminate, eradicate the horrors of war.
Seeds of greed and absolute power
Haunt humanity and stand like iefel towers.
They lead the masses blindly to their deaths unkindly
Soldiers of Tolerance take your stand.
Wield your swords of love.
Humanity's future is in your hands.
So, take your stand -
Soldiers of Tolerance.



#10 - Decision Making

As a community, we are continuing to learn and incrementally implement the values of egalitarianism - 1 : a belief in human equality especially with respect to social, political, and economic rights and privileges 2 : a social philosophy advocating the removal of inequalities among people.

We have many ways of doing this. One way, is through our decision making processes. We operate primarily through cooperative principals accepted by the International Cooperative Alliance. Many of our decisions are made by consensus – a decision making method based on values such as cooperation, trust, honesty, creativity, equality and respect. Some of our decisions are still made by a democratic majority rule vote. Our goal is to learn, then learn to teach and ultimately use consensus as our complete decision making method. This is the purpose of this class. For some, you will be familiar with this method of decision making. For others, it will be a new experience.

We are learning, following and utilizing Introduction to Consensus, as our guide, by Beatrice Briggs, a member of Facilitation and Consensus, a professional team which provides facilitation training and services. She was originally trained by Caroline Estes of Alpha farm. Beatrice currently lives in the ecovillage Huehuecoyotl near teposlan, Mexico.

This class will give you a brief overview of consensus decision making. It wil not give you the nust and bolts – the details. So, you are strongly encouraged to read the book to fully appreciate and understand consensus. Your future with us, should the decision be made for us to continue to live in community together, will be greatly impacted by our decisions we make together. And, perhaps, your future, if you move on to an independent life, will be impacted as well.

Let us begin this journey of learning together. And, let us realize, the core belief of consensus is that each person has an important piece of the truth.

Consensus is a process for sharing. In groups that are diverse, differences are healthy and invite creativity. However, conflict is also inevitable. Non-violent resolution of conflict, which we have studied in earlier classes, and the collaborative development of decisions that everyone in the group can support are the principle goals of the consensus process.

The values are respect, trust, cooperation,, non-violence, goodwill, truthfulness, diversity, inclusivity and shared responsibility for the groups action. There are five essential elements that must be in place for consensus to work: 1) willingness to share power 2) informed commitment to the consensus process 3) common purpose 4) strong agendas and 5) effective facilitation. In consensus, no votes are taken. Ideas or proposals are introduced, discussed and a decision is arrived at. There are three options in making a decision: 1) block 2) stand aside and 3) give consent.

Essential Roles are: Facilitator, Minute Taker, Timekeeper, Agenda Planner and Sponsors of agenda items.

No significant issue may be introduced, discussed and decided in one meeting. If consensus is not rtasched, no action is taken. The intention is to non-violently resolve all concerns and conflicts surrounding a proposal so that everyone can support the decision.

See the book Introduction to Consensus for more details and necessary forms for the meetings.




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