Overview
Board of Directors (BoD)
The ICC Board of Directors, Standing Committees and Teams exist to manage and oversee all of the various aspects of running a cooperative non-profit. Each group is specialized for a specific area of administration. Some committees have the power to take action and make policy changes on their own, while others research and discuss issues and make recommendations to the Board or the membership.
The BoD meets on Mondays at the ICC Education Center typically at 6:00pm. During the Fall/Winter meetings usually occur every other week with exceptions for School Breaks and National Holidays. During the Spring/Summer meetings are usually once a month with exceptions for School Breaks and National Holidays.
Articles of Incorporation
This is where we got our start folks, way back on January 13th 1944! Though we provided housing as early as 1932, it took a few years for our fellow co-opers to qualify as a legal non-profit organization. The Articles are ironclad and can only be changed in dire circumstances at the State Government level.
Bylaws
After the Articles of Incorporation comes our Bylaws, created on November 18th, 1969. They outline what membership means, who our corporate officers are, assigns duties of the Board of Directors and a host of other fun things. Changes are made infrequently through a referendum of the entire membership, typically done at the Winter Annual Meeting (WAM.)
Standing Rules
Our Standing Rules (SR’s) are the main operational guidelines of the ICC. They are frequently updated as the needs of our membership change overtime. Proposals are routed through the Coordinating Committee and approved or rejected by the Board of Directors. They are divided into three sections: Membership & Board of Directors, Central Operations, and House Operations.
Policies
Policies vary throughout the ICC, though they are most commonly utilized on the Committee level. These documents are created by the committee, team or administrative department and do not need formal Board Approval. Policies cover operational activities that don’t require formal BoD approval.
House Constitutions
The documents outlined above, provide guidance for the ICC as a whole. Every co-op house outlines their own guidelines for community living. These House Constitutions (HC) tend to be geared more towards theming and operations of the house e.g vegetarian only meals, substance free, work hours, etc. HC’s are reviewed and edited by the membership of the co-op house through a house vote. Houses can provide stricter guidelines though they cannot override the SR’s. Make sure you review your houses HC here!
President
The President of the ICC is elected in March by a vote of the entire membership. The procedure for electing the president is described in our By-Laws and Standing Rules. The President shall serve for the entire fiscal year (May-April.) The President is eligible for a scholarship that covers house and ICC charges.
Vice Presidents
The Vice Presidents are elected by the Board of Directors following the election of the ICC President. The VP’s shall serve for the entire fiscal year (May-April.) The VP’s are eligible for a scholarship that covers 3/4 of ICC charges.
Board Representatives
Each Board Representative is elected by house members during the Winter contract period for the following Fall contract period. Ideally, BoD Reps serve the entire fiscal year. However, our members are mostly students so we tend to have a Spring/Summer Board as well as a Fall/Winter Board.
Committees
Committees are an important part of the governance and operations of the ICC. They do the work of the organization through the standing committees below. ICC committees also provide significant ways for members to get involved, develop new leaders and can often more effectively focus on a specific set of issues and create solutions than the Board as a whole can.
Coordinating Committee (CoCo)
Diversity & Justice Committee (DJCom)
Statement of Purpose: The Diversity & Justice Committee (DJCom) shall ensure that all ICC policies and actions are guided by the principles of equity, inclusion, and accessibility. DJCom shall also spearhead independent and collaborative initiatives with other committees with the aim of continually increasing the diversity, inclusivity, and sensitivity of the ICC community.
DJCom works to promote awareness of cultural diversity and minority issues in the ICC, prevent discrimination and ensure equitable treatment. The committees’ main purpose is to guarantee that all people who will embrace the fundamental values of the ICC shall have equal and equitable access to membership in and, subsequently, the services and government of, the ICC. They fulfill their goals by providing support, information and education to ICC members on diversity issues that include possible discrimination and awareness.
If you have concerns, questions, or ideas concerning cultural diversity and equitable treatment in our houses contact the Diversity & Justice Committee at vp.diversity@icc.coop
Facilities Management Committee (FamCom)
The Facilities Management Committee (FAMCom) works with maintenance staff and the board of directors to manage ICC space, infrastructure, members, and policy. It shall educate members, the board, the staff, and the ICC as a whole on infrastructure management of the ICC and encourage and support creative initiatives from within the ICC community. FAMCom also refines, updates, and supports the responsibilities of the Maintenance Manager, Kitchen Manager, Groundskeeper, and Sustainability Steward positions in the ICC.
Finance Committee (FinCom)
FinCom manages the financial policy of the ICC. Every year FinCom’s main responsibility is the creation of the next fiscal year’s budget along with monitoring the current year’s budget. This is not the only role FinCom plays in the ICC. Any financial policy changes are brought to FinCom before they are made official. In most cases FinCom generates these changes as the financial needs of membership change. They also serve as an important link between individual house finances and the finances of the ICC as a whole, as they work with house treasurers. Scholarships and payment plans are approved by FinCom making members of FinCom a vital cog in the battle against the financial machine of higher education. This committee is chaired by the VP for Finance and advised by the Director of Financial Services. Board Reps and concerned members make up the voting members of the committee (house treasurers are encouraged to inquire about serving on FinCom.)
Marketing & Recruitment Committee (MRC)
The Marketing & Recruitment Committee designs and implements our advertising, such as newspaper ads, radio spots, University of Michigan student organization resource center ads (diag boards, banners, bus signs, etc.), and flyering. It consists of the V.P. for Marketing, the Director of Housing Services (staff member), some house presidents, and other interested members. Committee meetings are held monthly.
Come join MRC if you want to have fun getting people excited about cooperation! Activities include painting banners, flyering, creating newspaper and radio ads, Diag boards, and bus signs.
Operations Management Committee (OpsCom)
The Operations Management Committee designs and implements policies and procedures for membership issues, such as contracts, contract dates, deadlines, gender ratios, etc., and also handles some membership-related problems within houses, such as high vacancy rates and expulsion requests. It consists of the V.P. for Operations, the Director of Housing Services, some house presidents, and other interested members.
Committee for Conflict Resolution
content coming soon
Teams
Teams play a tremendously important role in the co-ops. In general, teams are established more on an ad-hoc basis and are tasked with goals/objectives that committees are unable to address (due to limited resources or expertise.) They are different from committees as their chairs don’t sit on the Coordinating Committee.
Alumni Team (AT)
AT ensures a viable and successful Alumni Association through the development and maintenance of the ICC Alumni Program.
Contact the Team: at@icc.coop
Contact the Chair: at.chair@icc.coop
Maintenance Team
The Maintenance Team consists of all the maintenance managers from all houses. It provides a forum for Maintenance Staff to train managers on common maintenance tasks as well as providing a place for managers to network with others and discuss maintenance issues.
Dispute Assistance and Resolution Team (DART)
DART is an advisory team of ICC members and staff which supports the efforts of members and houses seeking resolution various concerns, problems and disputes. DART promotes a culture of dispute resolution in the ICC which is proactive, consistent, balanced, peaceful, and fair. DART does not typically engage directly in dispute resolution processes, but encourages members to be proactive, creative, and peaceful in addressing issues and resolving concerns. Primary responsibility for the resolution of differences rest squarely in the hands of members and houses.
Contact the Team: dart.team@icc.coop
Contact the Chair: dart.chair@icc.coop
Size Management and Restructuring Team (SMART)
SMART researches opportunities for growth of the ICC, by investigating potential property purchases or sales. Oversees all purchases and renovations in preparation for occupancy.
Contact the Team: smart@icc.coop
