Ant Hill Cooperative General Membership Contract
This Membership Contract is entered into this day of _, 20, by and between Ant Hill Cooperative Inc. and myself (Member):
Member: Name:_ Address:
Ant Hill Cooperative Inc: Business Address: 960 S Plymouth Ave
Terms of membership agreement: Starting date:_ Ending date:_ Monthly Services Charges:
Foodshare charge:
Basement Use charge:
Attic Use charge:
Monthly Membership charge: Total Monthly Charges:_
Emergency contact information for member:
A. MEMBERSHIP AGREEMENT 1.I agree to become a general member of Ant Hill Cooperative Inc (hereafter Ant Hill). 2. I agree to pay a membership fee upon joining Ant Hill Cooperative, as established by the policies established by the organization. My membership is effective upon the start date of this contract. As a member of Ant Hill Cooperative, I agree to abide by Ant Hill Charter, Bylaws and Policy. I agree to abide by the House policy for my house of residence.
B. MONETARY OBLIGATIONS 1.Term. The term of this contract is from noon on the starting date until noon on the ending date.
2. The combined Foodshare, Use, and Services charges are payable in advance to the Ant Hill Treasurer on the 15th of the month for the full term of the contract.
3. All fees covered in section 2 shall be pro-rated for the appropriate fractional months. Should the effective dates of this contract not coincide with the above payment dates, charges shall be pro-rated for the appropriate fraction of a month. Properly pro-rated charge shall be paid when I move in to the Co-op.
4. Security Deposit. It may be required to prepay Ant Hill a set amount of a security deposit to be held and disbursed for any damages I make to used rooms or to the Co-op, as provided by law. This deposit is in addition to the member fees described above. This deposit is fully refundable to me in the event that I fully perform my obligations according to this contract, including monetary and co-management obligations. I understand that the security deposit is not an advance payment for room charges. Further, any charges exceeding my deposit may be added to my debt.
5. Food and services. I agree to contribute to the budgeted funds to pay for food, utilities and services I intend to use a general member of the organization. I acknowledge that Ant Hill has fully explained to me any food purchases and services for which I will be required to pay. I understand that I am liable for any such payments incurred during the time covered by this contract, regardless of any periods of non-occupancy, unless the Co-op chooses to make other arrangements internally. I agree to reimburse all expenses incurred by the Co-op due to physical damage I may cause, meal costs enjoyed by my guests, or other billings attributed to my use.
6. Late Payments. I shall pay to Ant Hill a late fee of $10 if I am more than 5 days late in the payment of my charges.
7.Bank Fees. I shall be charged a fee equal to the fee charged to Ant Hill by its bank if any check I write to Ant Hill is returned for lack of sufficient funds.
C. CO-MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT 8. Democratic Co-management Agreement. I agree to join and participate in the community of residents of Ant Hill, and to abide by the terms and rules of Co-op governance. I am entitled to participation in the governance of Ant Hill as a full member of the corporation during the term of this agreement, in accordance with the Bylaws and Policy of Ant Hill and with the house rules, provided I am not in default of this contract.
Members of the Co-op are as a group, primarily responsible for effective management of the Co-op. It is my responsibility to acquaint myself with the past and current rules of Ant Hill. I understand that proper execution of my Co-management Agreement includes the items immediately preceding as well as the following items: a) Work: I must do my share of work assigned to keep the Co-op clean, repaired, and running properly. This may include performing work duties on a regular schedule and participating in "work parties" and any other special projects required by the Co-op. b) Being Co-operative: I agree to be co-operative, which means making an honest effort both to keep the Co-op operating effectively and to get along with other members. I agree that no activities will be permitted on the premises which would unreasonably disturb or unfavorably affect the other members of my Co-op. Acts of physical violence are strictly forbidden.
9.Defaults, and expulsions. I am defined to be in violation of this contract if I fail to fulfill any obligation herein by which I am bound, including but not limited to failure to make payments and failure to complete assigned work. Subject to any governing provisions of law to the contrary, if I fail to satisfy any financial obligation within 10 days after written notice of such default as provided by Ant Hill, Ant Hill may take any necessary legal action. Should I fail to fulfill non-financial obligations to the Co-op, members of the Co-op may choose to expel me from membership.
10. Termination of contract. In the event that I choose to leave the organization, I must provide a letter in writing stating my intentions. I am also responsible for the return of any equipment, keys, or other items borrowed from Co-op in the same working condition in which I borrowed it. Any items I have loaned the Co-op will also be returned to me in like manner.
D. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 11. Membership. I understand that new members of the Co-op must undergo a membership process and that applicants may be excluded from membership according to policies specified in Co-op policy.
12. Moving. In the event that there is a room vacancy in the Co-op I understand I may be eligable to fill the room. I understand I may have to re-submit an application and be considered in the general lottery. [Note: We may want to address this- could this be an option? Would General Members interested in moving in when a room opens up have to reapply? Would they be given preference over new applicants?]
13. Keys. I may be issued one key to the Co-op. If the key is not returned to the House Manager by the end of the term, the House Manager may charge me a fee of $30 for the unreturned key. [Justification: This would mean we'd have a delinquent key and may have to consider replacing All the locks and deadbolts, plus issuing new keys to the rest of the members.]
14.Storage. I may be entitled to store items of personal property in a designated areas of the house or grounds, with the approval of house.
15. Personal Property. Ant Hill shall not be liable of the loss of or damage to my property. Members concerned about personal property may want to acquire Renter's Insurance.
16. Amendment. This contract may be modified or amended in writing, if the writing is signed by the party obligated under the amendment.
17. Severability. If any portion of this contract shall be held to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, the remaining portions shall continue to be valid and enforceable. If a court finds that any provision of this contract is invalid or unenforceable, but that by limiting such provision it would become valid and enforceable, then such provision shall be deemed to be written, construed and enforced as so limited.
18. Cumulative rights. The rights of the parties under his contract are cumulative, and shall not be construed as exclusive unless otherwise required by law.
19. Governing Law. This contract shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
Ant Hill Representative:_ Member: Date:
