Meristem Cooperative

About Meristem

Located in the Vine Neighborhood on Davis Street near W. Vine Street
Houses 5 members
Non-smoking
5 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms
We buy food together, with an emphasis on local, organic, and nutritious food. Vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free house dinners are prepared five nights a week.
Common dining room and living room with a piano!
Common office with a house computer
Off-street parking
Wireless high-speed internet
Laundry facilities
Pet-free
Quiet hours begin at 10pm every night
Access to collective goodies like books, piano, art supplies, office supplies, tools
Near Metro Transit bus system
Members have access to scholarship money for conferences and training

Membership

Membership at Meristem is open to everyone. Here's the process:

Tour the house and/or join us for dinner (optional)
Submit an Online Application or use the Word document near the bottom of this page
Come to an interview with current house members

We strive to be an inclusive community that welcomes all, regardless of gender, color, sexuality, ability, or spirituality. Together, we work toward dismantling oppression in our lives and communities.

Costs

Single room: $460 per month for a large room, $420 for the small room. Includes lease, utilities, food, maintenance, and common supplies.
One-time refundable security deposit: $390

Contract Term

Leases at Meristem run from August 1 - July 31

What to expect when you live at Meristem

Good food! Staple foods are available to members for all meals. The house doesn’t buy meat collectively, but members may purchase whatever personal food they like.
A cooperative community in which all members are collectively responsible for the well-being of the house
Collective, consensus decision-making
Collective, civil conflict resolution
Group budgeting and financial decisions
Always working to reducing our “ecological footprint” – reducing waste, efficient use of resources, reducing dependence on nonrenewable resources, creating a healthy and nontoxic living environment
Sharing skills and knowledge that help us become self-sufficient (ex: gardening, cooking, repair and maintenance, etc.)
Opportunities to connect with and learn from co-op members around the country through organizations like North American Students of Cooperation
An emphasis on affordable living
A friendly and fun atmosphere

Responsibilities of members

Meristem members are committed to regular duties that are listed below. New members should expect to devote 6 hours per week to a combination of these responsibilities:

Prompt payment of monthly charges
House meetings every other week
Cooking dinner
Cleaning and chores
Administrative tasks such as purchasing or event planning

Questions?

Email us at meristem@kalamazoo.coop or come to one of our events to chat! Or submit an online application if you'd like to apply at: Meristem's Online Application