Bylaws amendment vote due by 8/25 As discussed in the July 30 Members Assembly meeting, we need members to vote on a proposed bylaws change that will enable us to create a General Manager (GM) position within the Workers Assembly (WA).
The WA and board are proposing to implement a GM position to provide a central point of accountability and continuity within the Coop across WA teams. As conceptualized by the joint WA/board workgroup drafting revisions to the board policies and WA protocols, the GM will have an oversight role working with the team managers in addition to serving the liaison function between the WA and board.
The GM will be hired with concurrence of the WA and the board (simple majority agreement needed from both bodies). If needed, either body may petition for the termination of the GM, also requiring a majority vote by both.
Please review the attached bylaws and see underlined language changes in section 5, then follow this link to vote by 8/25. https://forms.gle/7Ssj9BRndY6xZGfH6 If you have further questions, please email board@blackstar.coop.
5. Workers’ Assembly
5.1. Definition
The Workers' Assembly consists of individuals currently employed by the Co-op. A voting member of the Workers’ Assembly must be an Invested Member.
5.2. Powers and Duties
The Workers’ Assembly is charged with the business operations of the Co-op. It shall implement policies and regulations necessary to fulfill its tasks provided they are not inconsistent with either these bylaws or Board policy. The Workers' Assembly communicates with the Board through its liaison as defined in section 5.4.
5.3. Volunteers
Intentionally deleted. Stricken on 2016-10-30.
5.4. General Manager
The General Manager shall be hired and terminated with concurrence of the Board and the Workers’ Assembly.
5.4.1. Functional Responsibilities
The General Manager holds the functional responsibilities of Board-Staff Liaison.
5.5. Board-Staff Liaison
The Workers' Assembly shall elect one individual to serve as their liaison to the Board of Directors in the absence of a General Manager.
5.5.1. Board Approval
The Board must approve of the person selected by the Workers’ Assembly before they may assume the role of Board-Staff Liaison.
5.5.2. Term of Service
The Board-Staff Liaison shall be elected on an annual basis.
5.5.3. Recall
The Board-Staff Liaison may be recalled by a majority vote of the Board, or by a petition of 2/3 of the Workers’ Assembly presented to the Board. In the event of such a recall, the Workers’ Assembly shall hold special elections to choose a new Board-Staff Liaison.
5.6. Meetings
The Workers’ Assembly must meet at least once each month, but is free to meet more often as provided by its rules of operation. All employees must receive notification of meetings at least 7 days before the meeting date.