VI.F. The Member Education Framework

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Member Education Framework
Topic/Context Pre-Application App -to- Contract Contract Signing Contract -to- Move-in First Two Weeks New Members (first semester) Returning Members (2nd semester+) New Managers (first semester) Returning Managers (2nd semester+) Board Members Student Staff Special Events (BSC-wide events)
Context Themes (purely descriptive) Publicity Large Context Rights & Structure Living Safely & Well House Values Extended Orientation Accountability Relationships Responsibilities & Policies Creating Culture, Making Change Detailed Policy Policy Implementation Big Picture
Member Responsibilities X X X X X X X
Individual and Community Safety X X X X X
Cultural Sensitivity and Awareness X X X X X X X X X X
Safe Space X X X X X X X X X X X
House By-Laws and Policies X X X X X X X
Community Agreements, House Rules, and Apartment Rules X X X
Restorative Justice and Conflict Resolution Resources X X X X X
Holding your Managers Accountable X X X X X X
Group Decision Making Procedures (Robert's Rules, etc) X X X X
Member Rights X X X X X X X
The Central Level - Unit Relationship X X X X X
Central Level Resources (funding, programs, support) X X X X X X X X
Leadership Opportunities and Development X X X X X X X X X X
BSC Mission, and Diversity & Equity Vision X X X X X X X X
Topic/Context Pre-Application App -to- Contract Contract Signing Contract -to- Move-in First Two Weeks New Members (first semester) Returning Members (2nd semester+) New Managers (first semester) Returning Managers (2nd semester+) Board Members Student Staff Special Events (BSC-wide events)
Rochdale (Cooperative) Principles X X X X X X X X
BSC's Anti-Oppression Framework / Social Justice in the BSC X X X X X X X X
Sustainability X X X X X X X
Important Central Level Policies X X X X X X X X
Organizational Structure and Responsibilities X X X X X
Board Structure and Responsibilities X X X X X X X
How to Create and Change BSC Policy X X X X X
Where Your Rates Go X X X X X X X
University Resources (EOP, DSP, StudyAbroad, etc.) X X X X
How to Hold Your Board Rep Responsible X X X X X
Theme Housing X X X X X
BSC History X X X X X
The History of the Cooperative Movement X X X
About Other Co-ops, NASCO, and WESTCO X X X X X X
Topic/Context Pre-Application App -to- Contract Contract Signing Contract -to- Move-in First Two Weeks New Members (first semester) Returning Members (2nd semester+) New Managers (first semester) Returning Managers (2nd semester+) Board Members Student Staff Special Events (BSC-wide events)




  1. General Description
    The Member Education Framework is meant to be a principal guiding document for education in the BSC. It is meant to provide a high-level perspective on education priorities in the BSC, both on what topics we cover and when we cover them. This framework is meant to be useful to the general membership, as well as the members of the Education and Training committee.
    This framework does not represent any education program in itself, but is rather meant to serve as a way to help eliminate redundancy, increase effectiveness, and coordinate educational programs across the BSC. Rather than creating a single strategic plan that requires future generations to follow a specific road map, this framework serves a similar planning role while allowing greater flexibility to accommodate the variable interests of future members.

    It is designed to allow individuals a great deal of freedom in designing educational programs. The framework does not prescribe any specific format or process, but rather provides a view of how various topics and contexts might be arranged to ensure the most comprehensive and engaging member education. Members may interpret this document in any way they wish, given their specific desires, interests, aptitudes, and circumstances, to guide their own independent work.

  2. How to read the Framework
    The framework is organized as a 2-dimensional grid, as follows:
    1. the columns represent different “contexts” of membership (new applicant, first two weeks of membership, returning member, new manager, etc), reflecting different educational needs.
    2. the rows represent different education topics (member rights and responsibilities, BSC history, conflict resolution, manager accountability, etc). The topics are arranged in order of most important to least important.
    3. every X represents a recommendation for which contexts are most appropriate for addressing the various topics. For example, it might be specifically worthwhile to address the topic of “group decision-making process” during the first two weeks of living in a new co-op. Hence, the X.

  3. How to use the Framework
    This framework is meant to help to coordinate and inform the development of programs by providing suggestions for what topics to cover at what time. To use it, begin with either a topic or a context you wish to address.
    1. If you have a topic already in mind, look at what contexts that topic fits in, and decide which context is most appropriate for your purpose. From there, you can just think about the most effective medium for conveying that information in the context, and go from there.
    2. If you know you want to work within a specific context, take a look at what topics are recommended for that context. Then just think about ways to combine topics into fun and engaging programs that people would want to participate in. Be mindful that the topics are prioritized–please consider beginning with the higher-priority topics when developing a new program.

      Once you figure out the contexts and topics, the rest is up to you! Enjoy the creative process.

  4. How to edit the Framework
    This framework is designed to be easy to change as future generations of members take on the challenge of education on the community-wide level. As the organization evolves, the specific needs of education are always changing. You can edit the framework by either:
    1. adding, removing, or editing contexts
    2. adding, removing, or editing topics
    3. changing the topic/context recommendations

  5. Ongoing
    It is recommended that this framework be reviewed at least once per year by the Education and Training committee to ensure that it reflects the current needs and capacities of the BSC. It takes a simply majority of Board to revise this framework.

[last updated Fall 2015]]