2011 Davis Food Co-op Ballot Proposition
Please note that voting in this election has been extended for two weeks to Friday, June 10, 2011. Each Proposition is presented here with an analysis of the nature and effects of the measure (as called for in our Bylaws).
The first argument submitted for and against each ballot measure — if any was
received before the deadline — is included on this page (again, following
our Bylaws).
Along with each Proposition and arguments is a link to the text of what would be changed, showing how the sections will read if the Proposition passes.
Preliminary results (as of 6/12/11): Proposition 1 passes
Yes, 805 votes, 92.2%
No, 68 votes, 7.8%
Shall the Bylaws be amended to include more specific rules, procedures, and guidelines for the process of submitting member-proposed initiatives to the Board, and the process of approving or denying those initiatives by the Board?
Impartial Analysis
Background: Our Bylaws currently permit members broad authority to submit initiatives to the Board, if they “specify any lawful and proper purpose,” so long as members secure petitions signed by at least five percent of shareholders in good standing. The Bylaws, however, do not define what they mean by “lawful” or “proper” purposes, nor do they provide detailed rules or procedures for the submission and evaluation of member-generated initiatives. Accordingly, the current language leaves some gaps and ambiguities in the initiative submission process, which must be addressed by the Board on a case-by-case basis. Proposition 1 leaves intact the members’ broad ability to collect petitions and propose initiatives, but it creates a systematic structure, by way of more specific rules, procedures, and guidelines, which are intended to: (1) help members in the process of submitting initiatives, and (2) help the Board in the process of evaluating those initiatives.
Effect of Vote: A “yes” vote on Proposition 1 will permit the Cooperative to implement specific rules, procedures, and guidelines to govern the process of submitting member initiatives to the Board, and the Board’s manner of evaluating them. A “no” vote leaves the current system in place, wherein the members do not have the benefit of these rules, procedures and guidelines when submitting initiatives, and the Board does not have their benefit when evaluating such initiatives.
Fiscal Effect: no fiscal effect is anticipated.
The Board unanimously placed this proposition on the ballot and unanimously recommends a “yes” vote. A majority vote of the shareholders in good standing who vote in this election is required for this amendment to pass. If it passes, it will take effect immediately, as soon as the results are known.
Argument For Proposition 1
Food co-ops have a long history of social activism: the first consumer co-op was opened to ensure a fair deal for its members in the marketplace, the American “second wave” of co-ops were driven by union members, the “third wave” (which includes us) were opened by counter-culture hippies, and the current wave is mostly being operated by food activists.
With that inheritance, it’s no wonder that our bylaws specify ways in which member-owners may ask the Co-op to take action. Article X of the bylaws is devoted to describing these methods. These bylaws were written in the 1970’s, and have been amended by vote of the membership over the years.
The Davis Food Co-op now consists of more than 10,000 households. Those households elect the 11 members of the Board of Directors, who are charged with deciding what should happen with our mutually owned business.
Determining what those 10,000 households would like their Co-op to do isn’t easy. The Board relies on member comment, our own good sense, and most particularly on the governing documents, including the bylaws.
As they are now written, the bylaws don’t give enough guidance regarding member initiatives to either the member-owners who might wish to use them or the Board of Directors who are required to interpret them. Proposition 1 is meant to make the bylaws more understandable and thus, more useful.
The Board spent many hours over the last year working on the new language for this Article. We believe that the language we present here will allow our member-owners to bring initiatives to the membership in a way that’s fair and equitable. If this language isn’t adopted, future member-owners and the Boards that they elect will continue to work with language that doesn’t give enough guidance. Please join the Board in voting “yes” on Proposition 1.
Julie Cross, Secretary
Janie Booth, President
Stacie Frerichs, Vice-President
No argument against this ballot measure was received by the deadline.
Link to the 2011 Voter's Pamphlet (PDF) which contains the information above.