Workshare Policy, 2007 (Replaced in 2010)

Consensus: 13 Oct 2007. Replaced Expectations of Members policies of 2001 and 2006. Was replaced in 2010.

INTENT OF THE POLICY, VALUES, AND MOTIVATION

This policy formally acknowledges that it takes time and money to make TVC what we want it to be and that each of us is responsible for contributing a share of that effort and money. The policy also gives us a way to measure ourselves against the level of participation needed to run our community.

This policy emphasizes the values of equitable distribution of work, total community involvement in the maintenance of the community physically and/or socially, low operating costs, the protection of property values, and the learning and sharing of skills. All work that needs to happen is our responsibility, either to do ourselves, or to hire someone else to do.

This policy therefore acknowledges the value of personal accountability and the importance of positive motivators. Positive motivators include the need and desire for camaraderie, fun, and belonging; a sense of personal responsibility and the desire to contribute to our home and community, the enjoyment of and satisfaction in the work itself, and the need to ensure a safe and well-maintained facility.

GUIDELINES:

We agree on the following basic points regarding community work:

1. Members are expected to be well informed of the business of the community, which can be accomplished by reading TVC business email, bulletin boards, and meeting minutes along with attending membership meetings and committee/team meetings. Members are also expected to participate on a team, small working group, or the board, and to participate in activities of the community.

2. A work share SWG will be formed to manage a workshare system, to assign the work, and to mediate problems.

3. All members will be responsible for participating in the work of the community. Each member will be expected to contribute a minimum of 6 hours per month. The workshare SWG will, on an on-going basis, review the number of hours expected from members. The community is grateful to those who voluntarily contribute more hours. Non-member residents are welcome to participate in the community work system.

4. Each Team will review and approve a draft list of tasks under its purview, and oversee completion of those tasks. After the initial work assignments are made, teams, along with the workshare SWG, may make adjustments in task lists and assignments.

5. Members will have the opportunity to express their work preference as input to job assignments.

6. All work tasks and the responsible party’s name will be posted in the Common House and/or online; members will be asked to check off on this list once they have completed a task.

7. The system will offer some flexibility. Members will be able to bank and/or donate hours or swap tasks with other members. Special circumstances will be taken into consideration. Members will be able to opt out of work by contributing $20 per hour.

8. The workshare SWG will ask members to report their affiliation to teams, SWGs (pods), task forces, and the TVC board. A record will also be maintained of membership meeting attendance. Attendance at membership, team, SWG, and board meetings will not be counted toward the 6–hour requirement; however, tasks generated at meetings will count.

9. The community will review this policy in one year to determine its effectiveness in meeting the work needs of the community.<

[Review due October 2008.]