..

Chapter Housing Service Committee

Chapter Housing Service Committees are made up of outreach Indiviouals in the Chapter
who devote a portion of their time for very special service work - helping those individual Oxford
Houses in the Chapter, which need help. For example, the Committee always helps the new house
in a Chapter get off to a good start, as well as-existing houses which may encounter chalfeges.

The Chapter Service Committee generally consists of the Vice-chairperson of the Chapter, a
Chairperson(s) of the Committee itself and several indi'fidualvolunteers from other houses In the
. Chapter. The Committee provides suggestions and help to the members of a new house or a house
in trouble. Since each house Is autonomous the Housing Service Committee always offers
suggestions first - not orders. "Bossism" wor1<sno better on the Chapter level than itdoes within
an Oxford House. Remember the committee's collective experience. strength and hope can a very
powerful voice.

A significant role of the Chapter Housing Services Committee is to impress upon the new
house - or house in trouble - the importance of meeting the conditions of an Oxford House Charter.
Oxford House relies on having a good reputation in the community and one "bad apple" can
adversely affect the welfare of Oxford House as a whole. By skillfully carrying the message, the
Housing Services Committee can prevent problems from arising and quickly provide suggestions
for those problems that do arise.

The Housing Services Committee should beware of acting out on control Issues or
becoming a court for disputes that may arise among residents of a new or troubled house.
Tradition five clearly states: "Each Oxford House should be autonomous except in matters affecting
other houses or Oxford House as a whole." What that means in a nutshell Is that if a house is
. operating in accordance with its charter and their Chapter gUidelines the Housing SeMce
Committee is limited to making suggestions. On the other hand. if a house is in violation any of the
three conditions at its charter or otherwise adversely affecting Oxford Houses as a whole, the
Chapter Service Committee can take corrective action. Whenever corrective action is necessary it is
a good idea to call the Outreach representative for your area or State Housing Service Chair, and
remember that Oxford House, Inc. must approve any action that infringes on the autonomy of a
house.

Some Pointers:
• Read and be familiar with your Oxford House Manual and Chapter Manual.
• Always schedule a follow up visit after initial visit. Consistency is important.
• Be accessible, return phone calls .
•
1

Share your experience. strength and hope.

• On your first visit your primary role is to observe and develop a plan of action.
• Encourage members to identify problems briefly, then concentrate on the solution.
• Use your Committee. All too often Housing SeMces Chairpersons try to do everything on
theirown.
• You may want to schedule a Housing Services Committee meeting prior to the Chapter
Meeting to help share information.
 What is Housing Services?
Housing g~rvices is a branch of service which works in three areas of Oxford House operations:

1.) Propagation of new Oxford Houses; expanding to fit the needs of the recovery community (housing the
recovering addict/alcoholic).
2.) Attracting prospective members of Oxford House (through the Internet, and in treatment centers, etc.),
3.) Reaching out to existing Oxford Houses through the fraternal domain of the Chapter to help establish the
traditional structure/modelof Oxford House and to assist with achieving financial and community
stability of each house. .

There are three levels of Housing Service within the territory of the State :

1.) State Housing Services Chairman

2.) Chapter Housing Services Chairman
3.) Housing Services Representatives (from each house in the Chapter: these Representatives, the Chapter
Chairman and the Chapter Vice-Chair together form the Chapter Housing Services Committee)
4.) In addition to these roles of service a Housing Services Secretary' should be elected to record the minutes
of the Housing Services Committee.

The Housing Services Representatives have the following responsibilities:

1.) Participates in scheduled presentations at area treatment centers.

2.) Assists in the various tasks of opening a new house as needed.
3.) Attends a regular monthly Housing Services Committee.
4.) Helps their individual house maintain a healthy image in their immediate community.
5.) Assists the Chairman and Committee: in troubleshooting problems w/houses in Chapter 8S needed,
6.) Lend support to their individual house in helping house officers realize their expected duties (educate).
7.) Compile monthly statistics/data about their house to submit to Chapter.
8.) Inform their individual house about Housing Services Committee's endeavors regularly.
9.) Represent their house and its consensus opinions to the Committee when/if needed.

The Housing Services Chairman has the following responsibilities:

1.) Hold regular monthly Housing Services Committee meeting prior to the Chapter Meeting.
11

2.) Generate an agenda for the Committee.

3.) Provide leadership to the Committee and the Chapter regarding Housing Services issues. Delegate to the
Chapter Vice-Chair when needed.
4.) Report to the Chapter monthly the outcomes and activities of the Committee.
5.) Report to the State Housing Services Chairman concerns and positions of the Chapter/HS Committee.
6.) Schedule and participate in treatment center presentations.
7.) Spearhead and Coordinate the opening of new houses.
8.) Encourage all Oxford members to get involved with Housing Services activities.
9.) Be an available contact for any houses in Chapter asking for help.

Housing Services is both a responsive and proactive ann of the Oxford House Chapter and is intended to be
the chief modality for growth of Oxford House in the community at large. It is through the legacy of Housing
Services that Oxford House keeps it's vitality and profound traditional integrity. The dynamic of each house's
relationship \\-1111the Chapter is an integral part of our continued success. This is an ideal area of service and a
great opportunity to give back some of what you have been given.
 HOUSING SERVICES CHAIRPERSON

Housing Services Chairperson shall serve a term of one year and abide by the majority
vole of the membership.

1. The Housing Services Chairperson shall serve as the Chairperson of a Committee

selected from members a/the individual houses within their Chapter. They shall
also conduct and record all Committee meetings. (A member of the Committee
itself maybe voted in to assume the role of HIS Secretary to take minutes a/the
meetings.) In th eevent of the HIS Chairpersons absence, the Chapter Vice
Chairperson shall assume his/her responsibilities.

2. Hold regular business meetings once a month, (just prior to Chapter meetings
seems to work out well) to implement Housing Services Business.

3. The Housing Services Chairperson and the Committee shall be responsible/or:

A. Approving any new facility, reviewing the lease and assisting in

processing of the loan application. (Except, when an Outreach Representative is
responsible.)

B. Assisting a new house by attending their weekly meetings, teaching the

Concepts, training the new house officers, and help in finding new prospective
members.

C. Assist however necessary, any house experiencing problems. (Remember,

each house is autonomous; the Committee is there to help, not control.)

D. Promote Oxford House by scheduling presentations with treatment

centers, recovery houses, community drug and alcohol centers, corrections,
Churches, outpatient treatment centers, etc.

4. Housing Services Chairperson shall report at the monthly Chapter meeting, any
activities the Committee conducted and what the results were.

5. Shall submit an accurate account of approved expenses and receipts to the

Chapter treasurer monthly.
 Oxford Houses
Chaptel Hoosmg SeMces ChalrpetSOn·and ComrniHBe

1. Rum a committee
a. Housing Semces chair
b. Chapter Vice Chair
c. One member from each house

2. Educate)OW' CXX11fIUtIee
a. Know your treatment centers
b. Know your contacts at each treatment center
c. KNOW ABOUT OXFORD HOUSE & pass it on'"

3. Monthly planning meetings

a. Outline objectives
b. Assign tasks
c. Review previous assignments & dIscuss results

4. SuperAse chapCer HOtIna

O.K. to assign task to someone else· Follow up - check on it!

5. Make appointments attreatrnent centets

a. Schedule presentations same time & day each month/week

b. Schedule several months/weeks in advance

6. Monthly repOf1s
a. Record all activities of committee for the month
b. Written report
c. Read at chapter meeting
d. Copy to chapter secretan for chapter minutes

7. Acknowtedge and appreciate)'OUr committee mernbelsf f r J

8.~In theReg1onalWo~ps
 1. Promotions and Presentations
a. presentations at treatment centers
b. literature
c. display board
d. hotline

2. Assist Houses in trouble

a. attend house meetings
b. educate them in proper guidelines
c. help with monthly audits and reports
d. be available for questions
e. EDUCATION-teach the members how it works
f. don't tell the members-show them
g. please don't be a dictator-it's their ~ouse'

. 3. Open new houses

a. find a suitable house
b. tour house and determine acceptability
c. negotiate lease
d. apply for loan
e. make flyers to attract new members
f. furnish house-donations .

4. Assist the new house

a. attend house meetings for at least 2 months
b. teach them to run a business meeting
c. make up new member information packets
d. set up their files
e. be available to answer questions
 OXFORD HOUSE HOUSING SERVICE CONf1vIITTEE J\1EETING
One vote per house in the Chapter

l.Call the meeting to order at the specified time.

2.0pen the meeting with a reading of one of the "Three Principles" from the
Oxford House Chapter Manual.

3.Ask for a roll call by the Service Committee Secretary.

"House and Representative attending meeting

4.Ask for the reading of the minutes for the last Service Meeting.
*Read minutes of the last Service Meeting.
'"Ask for additions or corrections.
'"Ask for a motion to "Accept as read"or "Accept as corrected" if there are
any additions or corrections.

5.Ask for a reading of the Old Business.

"Old business is business discussed at the previous Service Meeting.
*Each matter is open to discussion and decision by the members present.
"'Motions must be made to take any action.

6.Ask for any New Business.

*Any matter is open to discussion and decision by the members present.
"'The Housing Service Committee will present information related to the
status of the current and future houses in the Chapter.
*Motions must be made to take any action. .

7.Ask for a motion to adjourn the meeting ..

*Discuss where and when the next Chapter Meeting will be held.
 OXFORD HOUSES OF VIRGINIA
HOUSING SERVICE COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES

location of Meeting: Date of This Meeting:

Purpose of Meeting: Meeting Start Time:

0 Regular Meeting 0 Emergency Meeting

Meeting Chairperson and Position:

House and Representative Names·

House: Present 0 Absent 0 House: Present 0 Absent 0

Representative: Representative:

DHSCREP HSCALT.D OTHER 0 DHSCREP HSCALT.O OTHER 0

House: Present 0 Absent 0 House: Present 0 Absent 0

Representative: Representative:

OHSCREP HSCALT.O OTHER 0 DHSCREP HSCALT.O OTHER 0

House: Present 0 Absent 0 House: Present 0 Absent 0

Representative: Representative:

DHSCREP HSCALT.D OTHER 0 DHSCREP HSCALT.D OTHER 0

House: Present 0 Absent 0 House: Present 0 Absent 0

Representative: Representative:

DHSCREP HSCALT.D OTHER 0 DHSCREP HSCALT.D OTHER 0

House: Present 0 Absent 0 House: Present 0 Absent 0

Representative: Representative:

OHSCREP HSCALT.O OTHER 0 OHSCREP HSCALT.D OTHER 0

House: Present 0 Absent 0 House: Present 0 Absent 0

Representative: Representative:

DHSCREP HSCALT.D OTHER 0 DHSCREP HSCALT.O OTHER 0

Minutes of the previous meeting were read and the following action was taken:
0 Approved as read
o Changed as follows:

Housing Service Committee Meeting Minutes-Version March 2010 Page 1 of 3

 OXFORD HOUSES OF VIRGINIA
HOUSING SERVICE COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES

New Business and HSC House Visit Evaluation Reports

Scheduled House Visits and HSC Representatives'

House Visit & HSC Representatives: Date:

House Visit & HSC Representatives: Date:

House Visit & HSC Representatives: Date:

House Visit & HSC Representatives: Date:

House Visit & HSC Representatives: Date:

Remember when you have a vacancy; hold a special meeting as soon as possible to
Consider anyone (with or without a job) applying for membership in the House.
Recovery requires a quick response and a vacant bed generates no revenue.

Give a Man or Woman a chance to get their LIFE back!

Housing Service Committee Meeting Minutes-Version March 2010 Page 3 of 3

 OXFORD HOUSES OF VIRGINIA
HOUSE VISIT EVALUATION FORM
HOUSING SERVICE COMMITTEE HOUSE VISIT

THIS REPORT IS TO BE REVIEWED AT MONTHLY CHAPTER MEETING

RATING SCALE

'---_1_-_E_xc_e_lI_e_nt 2-_G_o_o_d __ 1_3_-_S_at_is_f_ac_t_o_ry!..-...L-. __ 4_-F_a_ir__ --'-I_s_-u_n_s_a_ti_sf_a_c_to_r-.!..-y I

NAME OF HOUSE: PHONE: _

HOUSEADDRESS: _

# OF BEDS: _ # OF BEDROOMS _ # OF MEMBERS: _

NAMES OF HOUSE OFFICERS: NAME ELECTED

PRESIDENT

SECRETARY

TREASURER

COMPTROLLER

CHORE COORDINATOR

HSC REPRESENTATIVE
HSC REPRESENTATIVE
ALTERNATE

OVERALL APPEARANCE OF THE HOUSE: _

[IS THE HOUSE ClEAN, DUSTED, GENERALLY WELL MAINTAINED, COMMON AREAS, KITCHEN, YARD, OUTSIDE]

HOUSE MEMBERS RENT STATUS: [LIST MEMBERS IN ARREARS & AMOUNT]

MEMBER & AMOUNT: _

MEMBER & AMOUNT: --' _

MEMBER & AMOUNT: _

[LIST MEMBERS PAID AHEAD A WEEK OR MORE]

MEMBER & AMOUNT: _

MEMBER & AMOUNT: _

HSC HOUSE VISIT FORM-VERSION MARCH 2010 Page 1 of 5

 OXFORD HOUSES OF VIRGINIA
HOUSE VISIT EVALUATION FORM
HOUSING SERVICE COMMlliTEE HOUSE VISIT

AMOUNT OF MONTHLY RENT PAID TO LANDLORD: _

AMOUNT OF CURRENT WEEKLY EES PAID BY MEMBERS: _

ESTIMATED UTILITY COST PER MONTH: _

STATUS OF HOUSE BILLS:

ARE ALL HOUSE BILLS CURRENT [Y/N] ? IF NOT, LIST BILLS & AMOUNT DUE &
REASON FOR ARREARS:

HOUSE BUSINESS MEETING:

[USE 1-5 SCALE]

1. READING OF TRADITIONS & RULES AT HOUSE MEETING: _

2. PRESENTATION OF TREASURER'S REPORT: _

3. PRESENTATION OF COMPTROLLER'S REPORT: _

4. PRESENTATION OF COORDINATOR'S REPORT: _

5. PRESENTATION OF SECRETARY'S REPORT: _

6. ADHERANCE TO TRADITION GUIDELlNES: _

7. HANDLING OF HOUSE BUSINESS/ISSUES: _

8. HOUSE MEMBER'S ATTENDANCE AT MEETING: _

HSC HOUSE VISIT FORM-VERSION MARCH 2010 Page 2 of 5

 OXFORD HOUSES OF VIRGINIA
HOUSE VISIT EVALUATION FORM
HOUSING SERVICE COMMITTEE HOUSE VISIT

ARE HOUSE OFFICERS ELECTED EVERY 6 MONTHS [Y/N]? _

DO THE PRESIDENT, TREASURER & COMPTROLLER COMPLETE THE MONTHLY AUDIT USING THE
PROPER FORM [Y/N]? [ASK TO REVIEW MOST RECENT AUDI7]

IS THE HOUSE CHECKBOOK PROPERLY SECURED [Y/N]? _

IS ACCESS TO THE HOUSE CHECKBOOK CONTROLLED BY A HOUSE MEMBER WHO DOES NOT
HAVE SIGNATURE AUTHORITY ON THE HOUSE CHECKING ACCOUNT [Y/N]? _

ARE THE MONEY ORDERS & RECEIPTS PASSED AROUND DURING THE TREASURER'S REPORT AT
THE HOUSE MEETING [YjN]? _

DOES THE HOUSE SHOW THE 60 MINUTES VIDEO DURING THE INTERVIEW PROCESS [Y/N]
--?

DOES THE HOUSE HAVE CURRENT INTERVIEW QUESTIONS [YjN]? _

DOES THE HOUSE HAVE NEW MEMBER PACKETS {YjN]? _

DOES THE HOUSE HAVE A PROCEDURE TO WELCOME NEW MEMBERS? [EXPLAIN HOUSE
GUIDELlNESj RULES, CUPBOARD SPACE, REFRIGERATOR SPACE, ETC.] YjN: _

GENERAL IMPRESSION OF HOUSE MEETING: [ATTENDANCE, ALLOWING ADEQUATE TIME FOR

DISCUSSION ON ISSUES, DEMOCRATIC PROCESS, FEELINGS CHECK, ETC.]

HSC HOUSE VISIT FORM-VERSION MARCH 2010 Page 3 of 5

 OXFORD HOUSES OF VIRGINIA
HOUSE VISIT EVALUATION FORM
HOUSING SERVICE COMMITTEE HOUSE VISIT

IS THE CHECKBOOK BALANCED AGAINST THE BANK STATEMENT [Y/N]? _

DOES THE HOUSE USE THE CURRENT OXFORD HOUSE FORMS [Y/N]? _
[DOES THE HOUSE NEED ANY FORMS?)

DOES THE HOUSE HAVE AN APPROPRIATE NUMBER OF SMOKE DETECTORS [Y/N]? _

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS [Y/N]? _ CARBON MONOXIDE MONITORS [Y/N]? _

ASK FOR A COpy OF CURRENT HOUSE RULES/BYLAWS & LEASE AGREEMENT

NAME OF LANDLORD/PROPERTY MANAGEMENT FIRM, ADDRESS & PHONE NUMBER:

WHAT IS THE HOUSE POLICY FOR DEALING WITH PHONE CALLS FOR INTERVIEWS WHEN THE
HOUSE IS FULL?

DOES THE HOUSE HAVE CONTACTS AT LOCAL COMMUNITY REFERRAL AGENCIES [e.g.
COMMUNITY SERVICES BOARDS, TREATMENT CENTERS, DETOX CENTERS, PROBA TfON &
PAROLE OFFICES AND OTHER REFERRAL AGENCIES]? WHO IS THE CONTACT? IS THERE A
DESIGNATED PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR CONTACTING THESE AGENCIES? IF SO, WHO?

HSC HOUSE VISIT FORM-VERSION MARCH 2010 Page 4 of 5

 OXFORD HOUSES OF VIRGINIA
HOUSE VISIT EVALUATION FORM
HOUSING SERVICE COMMITTEE HOUSE VISIT

DOES THE HOUSE HAVE ANY COMPLAINTS? WHAT COULD THE CHAPTER DO BETTER FOR THE
HOUSE?

PROPOSED SOLUTIONS/SUGGESTIONS:

HOUSING SERVICE REP HOUSING SERVICE REP

HOUSING SERVICE REP HOUSING SERVICE REP

HOUSING SERVICE REP HOUSING SERVICE REP

DATE OF VISIT: _ FOLLOW-UP VISIT DATE: _

HSC HOUSE VISIT FORM-VERSION MARCH 2010 Page 5 of 5