Perspectives on the Standards

Members and staff share ownership of the clubhouse. This Standard means that together colleagues are responsible for completing all jobs, both undesirable and desirable. Doing the work together brings members and staff together, on a basis other than the need for therapy. Working side by side is very important for clubhouse morale. As an egalitarian community, we all have a say in what happens. This equality, when all colleagues can have the responsibility for leadership (if they so choose), encourages self-worth. Increased confidence helps prepare us for the responsibility of Transitional Employment and Independent Employment. This Standard allows members and staff to be friends and colleagues. Otherwise, our relationships would be between consumers and providers.

As the Standard notes, we all have the responsibility to engage all colleagues in the work of the clubhouse. Although it may be true that staff or members could do certain tasks more quickly by themselves, we are directed to seek the assistance and input of members and staff who have an interest in the goal. We also have a responsibility to engage ourselves in the clubhouse, to volunteer for tasks or to seek them out, and even to engage other colleagues, once we are comfortable with that responsibility.

The clubhouse director should be someone with an appreciation for shared decision making and consensus building. In some instances, the director needs to be able to make decisions that will not be popular with everyone. The director must possess the ability to make difficult decisions, when it is necessary. The clubhouse director should be someone whose priorities are congruent with the Standards, and are clear to everyone.