The announcement of a virtual Annual General Meeting on May 20, 2020, 7-8pm is the reason for this petition.
The MNGFC has experienced significant turnover in both staff and Board Directors over the past year. The numbers of both suggest there are serious underlying problems that need to be addressed. In addition, the financial viability of the the Co-op is concerning. Since early March the Board has been operating without the necessary quorum to make decisions.
As Member-Owners, we need a venue and the time necessary to be informed about, and to discuss, the future direction of OUR Co-op. Recent loosening of federal and provincial legislation allows the deferral of an AGM for up to 120 days following the official end of the provincial state of emergency.
We strongly petition:
1. Defer the AGM until we can have an in-person, public meeting.
2. Have a virtual members meeting (May 20 or possibly later) to discuss the current issues and ensure a true democratic process for the Member Owners of this Co-op.
Updates
May 8, 2020
The Board is still hiding behind a screen while our Co-op falls apart. They think they can silence us with a rushed virtual meeting but we refuse to let them bury the truth about their failures.
31 Comments
The facts are, when you register under Co-operative Corporations Act, you can no longer be beholden to the ‘founder’. It seems our co-op has been run as a pet project by one person. And anyone that has disagreed; staff, volunteers or Board Members find themselves being removed, let go or encouraged to leave. This has been a concern for a while at our co-op. Moving forward means an honest conversation.
There has never been an ‘Audited’ Financial Statement presented to the Membership at an AGM since Incorporation in 2014. The Membership should have an opportunity to review & question the ‘audited’ financial reports in person, with the Auditor present. This would not be possible in a virtual setting.
Regardless of whether there are or are not underlying issues at play at Muskoka North Good Food Co-op, total transparency is the bedrock upon which any healthy, sustainable community organization must operate. We all want MNGFC to thrive, so the more information available to the Member-Owners, the better. As a member and producer, I choose to believe that all of us are doing the best we can to move the Co-op forward; the democratic process exists to ensure as much.
As a member, volunteer, producer and former employee I also have grave concerns about the current management and the future success of the Co-op. I think a members meeting prior to the AGM will help inform good decisions when choosing those to lead us into a prosperous future.
I am concerned that the Board has been operating without a quorum and that financial reports have not been sent to members prior to the AGM. I would like to defer the meeting so that members can be heard.
555
there needs to be more transparency and accountability - totally agree!
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The announcement of a virtual Annual General Meeting on May 20, 2020, 7-8pm is the reason for this petition.
The MNGFC has experienced significant turnover in both staff and Board Directors over the past year. The numbers of both suggest there are serious underlying problems that need to be addressed. In addition, the financial viability of the the Co-op is concerning. Since early March the Board has been operating without the necessary quorum to make decisions.
As Member-Owners, we need a venue and the time necessary to be informed about, and to discuss, the future direction of OUR Co-op. Recent loosening of federal and provincial legislation allows the deferral of an AGM for up to 120 days following the official end of the provincial state of emergency.
We strongly petition:
1. Defer the AGM until we can have an in-person, public meeting.
2. Have a virtual members meeting (May 20 or possibly later) to discuss the current issues and ensure a true democratic process for the Member Owners of this Co-op.
Updates
May 8, 2020
The Board is still hiding behind a screen while our Co-op falls apart. They think they can silence us with a rushed virtual meeting but we refuse to let them bury the truth about their failures.
31 Comments
I for one would like to hear from former board members. If the coop professes to be transparent, can we not see the letters of resignation or talk to those board members directly? Why all the secrecy and only hearing only one version of how OUR coop is doing? I too want to see the coop move forward, but not at the expense of having no systems of checks and balances. MY values are not being represented on how the coop is currently being run. OUR member’s voices must be heard.
The facts are, when you register under Co-operative Corporations Act, you can no longer be beholden to the ‘founder’. It seems our co-op has been run as a pet project by one person. And anyone that has disagreed; staff, volunteers or Board Members find themselves being removed, let go or encouraged to leave. This has been a concern for a while at our co-op. Moving forward means an honest conversation.
There has never been an ‘Audited’ Financial Statement presented to the Membership at an AGM since Incorporation in 2014. The Membership should have an opportunity to review & question the ‘audited’ financial reports in person, with the Auditor present. This would not be possible in a virtual setting.
Regardless of whether there are or are not underlying issues at play at Muskoka North Good Food Co-op, total transparency is the bedrock upon which any healthy, sustainable community organization must operate. We all want MNGFC to thrive, so the more information available to the Member-Owners, the better. As a member and producer, I choose to believe that all of us are doing the best we can to move the Co-op forward; the democratic process exists to ensure as much.
As a member, volunteer, producer and former employee I also have grave concerns about the current management and the future success of the Co-op. I think a members meeting prior to the AGM will help inform good decisions when choosing those to lead us into a prosperous future.
I am concerned that the Board has been operating without a quorum and that financial reports have not been sent to members prior to the AGM. I would like to defer the meeting so that members can be heard.
555
there needs to be more transparency and accountability - totally agree!
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I for one would like to hear from former board members. If the coop professes to be transparent, can we not see the letters of resignation or talk to those board members directly? Why all the secrecy and only hearing only one version of how OUR coop is doing? I too want to see the coop move forward, but not at the expense of having no systems of checks and balances. MY values are not being represented on how the coop is currently being run. OUR member’s voices must be heard.