Household Cooperative Homestead Charter (One Page)

I. Purpose

This household exists as a cooperative homestead: a shared living system organized to provide shelter, safety, stability, and mutual support for its members.

The household is governed intentionally to reduce conflict, distribute load fairly, and withstand external stress.

II. Membership

Membership is granted to residents who materially depend on or contribute to the household.

Membership confers:

Voice in household decisions
Access to shared resources
Shared responsibility for household continuity

Membership does not require equal contribution, only good-faith participation.

III. Shared Assets & Commons

The household recognizes three domains:

1. Personal Property – private, inviolable absent emergency

2. Shared Assets – structure, utilities, appliances, vehicles, land

3. Domestic Commons – time, quiet, cleanliness, emotional safety, bandwidth

Shared assets and commons are governed collectively and stewarded in trust.

IV. Contribution & Equity

Contributions may include:

Financial support
Physical labor
Caregiving or medical support
Administrative or institutional labor
Emotional regulation and coordination

Equity is proportional, not identical.

Invisible labor counts.

V. Authority & Roles

Authority exists only by delegation and may be assigned by domain (e.g., finance, maintenance, care coordination).

No role implies permanent control or moral superiority.

All roles are reviewable and revocable.

VI. Decision-Making

Decisions affecting shared assets or commons require:

Notice
Opportunity for input
Clear articulation of constraints

Urgent matters may be handled expediently, with explanation given after.

VII. Conflict & Due Process

Conflict is addressed through:

Direct communication where possible
Clear statement of grievance
Proportional response
Path to repair

No member may weaponize dependency, illness, or past contribution.

VIII. Exit, Change & Continuity

Members may exit the household without retaliation, subject to reasonable notice and logistics.

The household plans for illness, absence, and succession to ensure continuity.

IX. Amendment

This charter may be amended by household consensus or supermajority, as defined by the members.

No rule is permanent if it ceases to serve the household’s purpose.

X. Closing Principle

Structure is not control.

Structure is care made legible.