Election Results – Thanks for voting.

 2020 BOARD ELECTION RESULTS

BOARD, BYLAW, and WORKING SHAREHOLDER DISCOUNT 

Results by Candidate:  

Total Ballots Cast: 1,029: 1,027 on-line ballots, 2 paper ballots. No ballots were invalid.

Results by Candidate: 

*to maintain the proper staggering of Board Terms.

Changes to Bylaws and to Working Shareholder Discount:

All proposed bylaw changes were approved, and the change to the Working Shareholder discount was ratified. Revised Bylaws can be found at brattleborofoodcoop.coop.

BYLAW 1:

Section 1.2 – Purpose and Mission. The Co-op exists for the purpose of meeting the needs of its shareholders, on a cooperative and nonprofit basis, with a focus on food and related products, and supporting the larger cooperative movement.

The Co-op is a consumer cooperative whose mission is to provide quality products at a reasonable price in an environment, which is organized fairly and honestly, for its shareholders, staff and community. The Co-op:

~ supports the active participation of its shareholders;

~ supports local and regional growers/producers, as well as other cooperatives; and

~ strives to educate about social, political, environmental and economic issues as they relate to food.

Section 1.2 Purpose. The Brattleboro Food Co-op shall be owned by its members and shall operate with a focus on food and related products in accord with the International Cooperative Alliance Statement on Cooperative Identity  for the mutual benefit of its members (See 2015 ICA Guidance Notes). 

Section 1.3 – Cooperative Principles. The Co-op shall be operated in accordance with the International Cooperative Alliance Statement of Cooperative Identity.  The Statement’s seven principles are guidelines by which cooperatives put their values into practice. These principles include the following:

(a) shareholder status is open and voluntary without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination;

(b) governance is democratic with equal voting rights among shareholders and opportunity for participation in important decisions affecting the Co-op;

(c) shareholders contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of the Co-op;

(d) the Co-op is an autonomous, self-help organization, controlled by its shareholders;

(e) education and training are provided for Co-op shareholders, elected representatives, managers and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of the Co-op;

(f) shareholders are served most effectively by strengthening the cooperative movement through working with other cooperative organizations;

(g) the Co-op works for the sustainable development of its community through policies accepted by its shareholders.

Section 1.4 – Business Office. The business office of the Co-op shall be located at 2 Main Street in

Brattleboro, Windham County, Vermont.

BYLAW 2.1 and 2.2

Section 2.1 – Eligibility. Shareholder status in the Co-op shall be voluntary and open to any person or organization who that is in accord with its the Co-op’s purpose and mission, will use its services and is willing to accept the responsibilities of shareholder status. Shareholder status for organizations shall be available only to incorporated or unincorporated groups operated on a cooperative or nonprofit basis.

Section 2.2 – Admission. Applicants shall be admitted to shareholder status upon paying or subscribing for a share of common stock at its then stated value. In the event of questionable eligibility, admission shall be subject to approval by the Board of Directors. On or before admission to shareholder status each applicant shall be provided a copy of these bylaws, including the appended explanation of the patronage dividend consent provision, such copy indicating its date of approval or adoption (see Appendix). A legal entity An organization applying for membership must maintain a single individual as an authorized representative.

BYLAW 6.4

Section 6.4 – Quorum and Decision-Making. The presence in person at the opening of the meeting of a majority of directors shall be necessary and sufficient to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board. Decisions of the Board shall be made by majority vote of directors present. A majority of the current Directors shall constitute a quorum and no decisions shall be made without a quorum in agreement. Votes may be taken by phone, email or other platforms, including virtual meetings and must be recorded in Board meeting minutes.

BYLAW 8.2 

Section 8.2 – Election and Term. Officers shall be elected annually by the Board at its first meeting following the annual shareholder meeting. Officers shall serve for terms of two years one year or until election of their successors. Officers may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by the Board.”

REDUCTION OF WORKING SHAREHOLDER DISCOUNT

On June 18, the Board of Directors set the discount rate for shareholders contributing labor or services (“working shareholders”) at 5%, a reduction from 8%. Per Bylaw Section 2.3, this requires shareholder ratification.

Thank you to all the shareholders who voted and to our candidates for running! If you are a shareholder interested in running for the Board of Directors in 2021, please ask at Shareholder Services, contact a board member, or email [email protected]. We are looking forward to a great year ahead!

Click here to view full bylaws.