Stage 1: Preparation and Review
These first two steps are very important to make sure that you are set up to successfully get the job done. Don’t forget that you’ll need to schedule extra meetings to engage members in important discussions and to formally adopt the Rules.
Stage 2: Choose a Membership Model
Before you start working on your new Rules, you need to identify your current membership model and talk about whether to keep it or switch to a new membership model.
The co-op lawyers and CHF BC recommend that your co-op take this opportunity to talk about whether your current membership model is meeting your needs. Experience over the last ten years shows that all membership models have merit and can work effectively.
Stage 3: Tailoring Your Rules
Once you have chosen your membership model, you are ready to review which other options are the best fit for your co-op.
Once you have chosen your membership model, you are ready to review which other options are the best fit for your co-op.
Everything in Model Rules 2.0, including all the options, is consistent with the Cooperative Association Act. Keep in mind that the Model Rules reflects best practices that have emerged over time. You’ll find some changed rules, some new rules and you’ll notice that some old, familiar rules have been removed.
Stage 4: Drafting New Rules
You should now have taken all the steps necessary to produce your first draft of your new Rules. Take this draft to the Board for review.
Once the Board has approved the draft you will want to engage your membership again with a meeting to inform them of progress so far and to seek their feedback. At the end of this stage you should have a final draft to present to the Board, and set a date for a meeting of members to approve the new Rules.
Stage 5: Adopting Your Rules
These final steps should be followed very carefully as they will bring your new Rules into legal effect.
