Perspectives on the Standards

This Standard means, to us, that no one tells us whom we must accept as a new member. During orientation, new members spend time in the work units of the clubhouse, and attend orientation, house, and unit meetings with a variety of staff and members. At the end of orientation, if you meet our requirements for membership and wish to be a member, we will open the doors of the clubhouse to you.

What are the requirements for membership? A history of mental illness, which we will confirm by asking your psychiatrist. Unfortunately, a person receiving treatment solely for a chemical dependency or an adjustment disorder does not qualify for membership. A psychiatric illness must be the primary disorder. A history of mental illness means that we have been diagnosed with a mental illness at some time in our lives. But we do not need to be coping with current symptoms to apply for membership in the clubhouse.

What does it mean to us to deny membership to people who pose a "current threat to the general safety of the clubhouse community"? We do not ask about a potential member’s past—not about prison stays, not about hospital stays, not about arrests. We have a new chance in the clubhouse community. We do not keep charts full of history and case notes on our members. We believe that we can all grow and change in the supportive community of clubhouses. We ask your psychiatrist if you are a "current threat" and we expect a one-word answer: yes or no. That’s it.

However, once you are a member, doing things that prevent other colleagues from working during their time at the clubhouse can get you suspended. Being disrespectful, violent, inappropriately sexual, or stealing will also get you suspended. Misusing clubhouse resources can sometimes cause us to suspend a member.

What does it mean to be safe at a clubhouse? It means that all of us are able to work and make friends without fear. It does not mean we never run into colleagues who rub us the wrong way or who challenge our views. Clubhouses strive to balance our right to be safe with our right to have a place to be part of a community—even when we are experiencing symptoms. Especially then, when we are struggling! So we deal with each member as an individual, and with each situation separately. If a member is suspended, we try to stay in contact with that member throughout the suspension. We are making it clear that the action is offensive, not the person. We must be as safe as possible, yet we must respect and preserve the rights and dignity of our colleagues. Without the thick case files that are a feature of traditional mental health systems, without the past being held against us, our decisions are more fair and compassionate than they might otherwise be.