Common House minutes: 2013-11-16

Special Notes:

TS Teen policy, Family Farms parking issues, Non-toxic cleaning agents

Minutes:

CH committee meeting November 16th



Present: Sari, Patti, Jim, Heather, Elph, Lois from TS.
Minutes: sari


TS teen policy:
TS has more teen members now, so we revised the TS tween and teen
policy about the common house.

1) TS Tweens (kids aged 10-12y) are not allowed in the ch without
adult supervision. This means that they have to have a parent/other
adult who has agreed to watch them in the common house with them at
all times. (This applies also to kids under 10).

2) TS Teens (kids aged 13-18y) can be in the ch unsupervised if they
are part of the teen work program at TouchStone, just like our teens
at GO. Alternatively, they can help with either dinner set-up or
clean-up at Great Oak (one prep or cleanup shift per month). They can
just show up to the shift unannounced and ask to help.
We expect TS parents of participating teens to send an email to ch
committee letting us know that their child is part of the work program
(either by doing work at TS or by helping with GO meals), and that
their teen will be seen around the ch.

The one exception to rule 2 is that if a teen is in the ch clearly
running an errand for their parents (doing laundry, picking up mail,
returning plates), they do not need a parent with them. They cannot,
however, supervise younger children while running an errand, or stay
in the ch (e.g. while waiting for their laundry).
Sari emailed Gayle about this who is the TS liaison.

Parking and family farms:
Sari emailed Catherine to ask her to remind FF, and to let them know
that our members are getting a little frustrated with parking now that
the weather is cold.


Non-toxic (and fragrance-free) cleaning agents in the ch:

The person who is sub-letting Melisa,...™s office recently noticed that
the smell of cleaning agents in the ch is too strong for her. Several
GO members have also noticed the strong smell (of pine-sol). We
talked about how it seems reasonable to move towards less toxic (and
less perfumed) cleaning agents in the whole ch (as we already do in
the laundry room).
Nancy has been in touch the Work skills who use what we provide them.
They would be happy to use less toxic cleaning agents too, and noted
that recently pine-sol seems to smell stronger than before (maybe they
changed the mixture?). Now they use pine-sol and windex, and
greenworks (I think).

Since it,...™s the pine-sol that seems to be the biggest problem, we will
immediately start using the Simple Green all-purpose cleaner for the
floors with Work Skills (there is a gallon in the hallway closet).
The recommended cleaning agents for the ch in the future would come
from these brands: Bon ami, Simple green (instead of pine-sol), 7th
generation, and just vinegar solution.
Elph will figure out where to get these things. Sari will email Debbi
(shopper) so that she knows about this.
Sari talked to Nancy so she can talk to Brianna about this. I also
checked if Nancy wants to continue as the cleaner coordinator (yes).

Jillian,...™s work will no longer has as much one-sided paper for the ch
printer as before, so we need to find alternative solutions (get
donations elsewhere or buy paper).

Elph fixed the heating issue in the west side of the ch (breaker
needed switching). If this happens again, that might be a sign of a
bigger problem.
Jim said he would change the furnace filter there.

Next meeting December 7th.
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