Announcement of Bylaw Changes

Our Sno-Isle Food Co-op is governed by bylaws and policies that the Board of Trustees regularly reviews and on August 5, 2024 we updated our Bylaws to reflect current practices and align with Columinate recommendations. Columinate is the consulting firm used by Sno-Isle and other cooperatives. Bylaws are organized into sections and subsections.

The board would like to thank the Co-op's ownership for taking the time to review the proposed bylaws and providing feedback prior to the update. View the new bylaws here. Highlights of changes to the bylaws include:

SECTION 1 - ORGANIZATION

·       Identifies our members as owners of the cooperative.

SECTION 2 - OWNERSHIP

·       Restructures and clarifies ownership responsibilities, eligibility, as well as the Co-op's non-discrimination policy.

·       Decreases the time allotted for equity return after terminating ownership to between 30 and 60 days.

SECTION 3 – OWNER MEETINGS AND DECISION MAKING

·       Increases the percentage of Ownership that is required to sign a petition to request a special meeting to 10%

·       Increases the quorum required for decision making at an Owners Meeting to 10% of active owners.

·       Increases the days needed for notice of a Special Meeting

·       Includes the owners’ right to petition.

SECTION 4 – BOARD OF TRUSTEES

·       Simplifies the description of the Board’s duties and powers.

·       Defines eligibility to run for the Board.

·       Removed reference of the Nominating Committee.

·       Updates standards for Board meetings and attendance.

·       Makes the Nominating Committee a committee of the Board, rather than a separately elected committee.

SECTION 5 – PATRONAGE DIVIDENDS

·       Gives patronage dividends its own section.