Documents

• Newsletters

• Forms & Documents

• Merz Strategic Plan v4

• Merz Business Plan 2024-2026 v4

• Merz Rules v5.1

• Merz Policy v4.7

• Merz Procedures v3

• Job Descriptions and TOR v4.1 

• Suggestion Box

Committees

• Finance

• Maintenance

• NRS

• CRC

Links

• MERZ @ acnc.gov

• MERZ @ nrsch.gov

• CHP info and resources @ nrsch.gov

• Associations and Co-ops @ cbs.sa.gov

• Master Agreement Reporting

• Managing a community housing organisation

• Community Housing Master Agreement

• Community Housing Council of SA

Acts

• community housing providers act

• community housing providers regulations

• associations incorporation act

• residential tenancies act

• work health and safety act

• australian charities and not-for-profits commission act

Core Operating Policies and Procedures

• The core operating policies and procedures can all be found on the one page here

Cooperative Principles

Cooperatives around the world generally operate according to the same core principles and values, adopted by the International Co-operative Alliance in 1995. Cooperatives trace the roots of these principles to the first modern cooperative founded in Rochdale, England in 1844.

1. Voluntary and Open Membership Cooperatives are voluntary organizations, open to all people able to use its services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination.

2. Democratic Member Control Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members - those who buy the goods or use the services of the cooperative - who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions.

3. Members' Economic Participation Members contribute equally to, and democratically control, the capital of the cooperative. This benefits members in proportion to the business they conduct with the cooperative rather than on the capital invested.

4. Autonomy and Independence Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If the co-op enters into agreements with other organizations or raises capital from external sources, it is done so based on terms that ensure democratic control by the members and maintains the cooperative's autonomy.

5. Education, Training and Information Cooperatives provide education and training for members, elected representatives, managers and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperative. Members also inform the general public about the nature and benefits of cooperatives.

6. Cooperation among Cooperatives Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures.

7. Concern for Community While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of communities through policies and programs accepted by the members.

About Merz?

Merz is an arts based housing co-operative located in Adelaide, South Australia. We have 30 dwellings, which are mainly a mixture of high and medium density units.

How to apply?

CHCSA has issued a Volunteer Member-Tenant Housing Providers Information Guide. The information contained in this brochure has been sourced from the sa.gov.au website and is current as of March 2017. The information may be updated at any time, so please also refer to the links for applicants, listed below.

Once you have registered with Housing SA send us a note saying that you have registered, and enclose a one page CV outlining your experience and skills in the arts, community groups, or volunteer organisations. Post this to:

The Membership Co-ordinator 

2E Pickering St.

Brompton 5007 

 

Links for applicants

• check your eligibility and register your interest

• list of housing co-operatives

• Income and asset eligibility limits

We acknowledge the traditional country of the Kaurna people of the Adelaide Plains, and we respect their cultural heritage, beliefs, and relationship with the land - a land never ceded.