Co-Op Members for Fairness

Sask Co-op's director vote tallied. Unfortunately, our endorsed candidate, Pat Atkinson, was 18 votes short. We have concerns re: this AGM format & outreach, but Pat has vowed to stand for election at next AGM in May. Here's our Q&A with her: cm4f.ca/board-candidat…

Will you add electric charging stations? Yes but we don’t know how many or when #YXECoopAGM #LowCarbonCoop

During March 8th - May 16th workers were given $2/hr premium, the end of it was the start of phase 2 SK re-open plan (workers no longer so essential/heroic) #YXECoopAGM #YXECoop

Team members were all provided 1 Co-op mask to wear, and then they are allowed to wear their own work place appropriate mask (only 1 mask is described as being accommodating to differences of preference) #YXECoopAGM

Covid time! What about masks being made mandatory in stores? Team members are required to wear masks, however customers are currently not required to (just encouraged). Concern over ability to enforce mandates should they be in place #YXECoopAGM #YXEcoop #CovidCoop

Comment from member: they were happy to receive a lower equity cheque knowing it meant that they had supported the workers who fought against two tier wages and divisiveness amongst the team #WorkerSolidarity #YXECoopAGM #CoopAGM

Request that AGM is better promoted, many members told us they never heard from the Co-op but rather learned about it from us! Would have been simple to mail out a letter for members rather than relying on online methods and in store (particularly during Covid) #YXECoopAGM

Q&A: why was it necessary to close registration for AGM on Nov 30th, what about those with older systems that cannot access the online platform? It was recommended by other co-ops, 900 registrations to verify, send further emails, update browsers (only 500 present) #YXECoopAGM

Lots of really great questions about accountability of board to members, need for diversity in the board, why member created resolutions seem to be dismissed, and democratic reform - not much in the way of answers #YXECoopAGM #YXECoop

Q&A period: previously online voting has been requested, why was it only available this year? Online/in store voting outside of AGM not available due to bylaw stating vote must be done during the AGM #YXECoopAGM #YXECoop

On another light note, as we await the ballot count and Q&A session, we would like to propose a committee on selection of the on-hold music for future Virtual Co-op AGMs :) #changesyouwanttosee

Vote: 88% in favour of destroying ballots on November 16th #YXECoopAGM

Motion to destroy the ballots in 30 days. Questions/comments: will they be scrutinized and reviewed - no, 3rd party is on site now. What does destroying the ballots look like virtually - deleted from storage. Can deadline be extended due to challenge - yes #YXECoopAGM #YXECoop

Motion to destroy virtual ballots. Offscreen, we hear: "How do you destroy virtual ballots?" #ouroldtimeycoop :D

Election of directors, candidates: Graham Addley, Pat Atkinson, Norm Bemis, Donna Crockett, Ron Frey, David Thieme. Our endorsed candidate is Pat Atkinson @patnutana - you can vote for up to 5 candidates, but you can also just vote for 1! #YXECoopAGM #YXECoop

No further questions/comments. Vote for shorter terms and method of determining who receives them: 89% in favour, motion carried #YXECoopAGM #YXECoop

Vote first for acceptance of two board positions having a limited 1 year term, total of 5 positions - top 3 voted candidates will receive 3 year terms and those receiving 4th and 5th highest votes to be relegated to 1 year terms #YXECoopAGM

Saskatoon Co-op Board of Directors' proposal for "Democratic Reform" was defeated tonight at the virtual AGM, with many requests for more member input / engagement. See our objections at: coopmembersforfairness.ca/the-saskatoon-…

We tried to request tabling the proposal with no luck. Vote on resolution: 55% against - motion defeated! #YXECoopAGM #CoopAGM #YXECoop

Question about why the study only engaged with managers and not regular members - cannot respond to that, assumes the centre has a good grasp on co-operatives as that is their focus. Time out! Too many questions not enough answers? #YXECoopAGM

Comments/Questions: what concrete approaches do you propose for engagement of groups? (None, would be developed) Suggested that this vote is to simply start the work without any commitments, everything would still need to be voted on #YXECoopAGM