Proposed Bylaw Change added to 2023 ballot
Proposed Bylaw Change:
Your Board of Directors is proposing the following bylaw change with the goal to shorten the minimum required election window in subsequent elections from 60 days to 21 days. This change will provide more time for the candidate application process and candidate campaign activities prior to the commencement of the vote. Having a three-week voting period will also put Wheatsville in line with other food co-ops across the country.
A yes vote means you agree to the proposed changes.
A no vote means you disagree with the proposed changes.
Current language:
3.3.1 Procedure for Co-op Vote. The Board of Directors shall define procedures consistent with these Bylaws for Co-op Votes to assure that owners are properly informed and have a fair opportunity to participate. A Co-op Vote may be initiated by a majority of the Board of Directors, by a majority of owners voting at a regular or special ownership meeting where a quorum is present, or by petition as described in Bylaw Section 3.3.3 below. The exact content of any proposal being submitted for a Co-op Vote shall be made available to the ownership at least fourteen days before the vote commences. The vote shall terminate at a date and time specified in the notice by which the vote was initiated (described in Bylaw Section 3.3.2), not less than 60 days from commencement of the vote. The Board of Directors shall schedule a Co-op Vote Confirmation Meeting open to the ownership to be held at the conclusion of the Co-op Vote, in accordance with Board of Directors policies, at which the Co-op Vote will be concluded. The Board of Directors may provide for Co-op Votes to include ballots cast in the store, ballots cast at ownership meetings or events, votes by mail, votes by electronic transmission, or other means provided that appropriate measures shall be taken to assure that each owner has only one vote and no votes by proxy are allowed, as required by the Code.
Proposed language:
3.3.1 Procedure for Co-op Vote. The Board of Directors shall define procedures consistent with these Bylaws for Co-op Votes to assure that owners are properly informed and have a fair opportunity to participate. A Co-op Vote may be initiated by a majority of the Board of Directors, by a majority of owners voting at a regular or special ownership meeting where a quorum is present, or by petition as described in Bylaw Section 3.3.3 below. The exact content of any proposal being submitted for a Co-op Vote shall be made available to the ownership at least fourteen days before the vote commences. The vote shall terminate at a date and time specified in the notice by which the vote was initiated (described in Bylaw Section 3.3.2), not less than 21 days from commencement of the vote. The Board of Directors shall schedule a Co-op Vote Confirmation Meeting open to the ownership to be held at the conclusion of the Co-op Vote, in accordance with Board of Directors policies, at which the Co-op Vote will be concluded. The Board of Directors may provide for Co-op Votes to include ballots cast in the store, ballots cast at ownership meetings or events, votes by mail, votes by electronic transmission, or other means provided that appropriate measures shall be taken to assure that each owner has only one vote and no votes by proxy are allowed, as required by the Code.