February 2023 Council News

from Marilyn Chase, Council President

GreenStar Council News for February 2023

Once more, with feeling!

In last month’s Council News Column I highlighted the number of open Member-at-Large seats that we currently have on our various Council Committees. Recognizing spring is just around the corner, I am confident many of you are already filling up your activities calendars! Before you find yourself at your limit, I am asking you to considering contributing your skills and expertise to one of three Council committees:  

• The Membership Engagement Committee has five (5) open seats and will be planning two exciting initiatives in 2023:

• • • Support staff with the planning and coordination of GreenStar’s “50-ish Anniversary Celebration” 
    • Engage GreenStar members in a Bylaws Refresh Project – our bylaws have not undergone a comprehensive review and update in more than 20 years 

• The Personnel Committee has four (4) opens seats and also have two important initiatives in 2023:

• • • Monitor Policy B.6 – Staff Treatment and Compensation
    • Perform the Annual General Manager Evaluation

• The Governance Committee has three (3) open seats and is tasked with the ongoing responsibilities of:

• • Ensuring Council members receive ample training and development opportunities
  • Monitoring Council’s policies and procedures for compliance and needed updates

Volunteering to serve on a Council committee introduces you to the work of Council, and gives you a voice at the table – which helps to ensure we meet and uphold our Principles and our Ends. Please contact elections@greenstar.coop for more information.

Highlights from the February Council Meeting

At its February regular meeting, Council viewed a short video from The Farm Sanctuary, GreenStar’s February Partners for Change recipient, received the General Manager’s monthly report, and held a brainstorming session to begin planning for the GreenStar’s “50-ish” Anniversary Celebration which will be held later this year (look for a save the date announcement coming soon!). 

Council also approved policy amendments and proposals, including:

• Approved the January 2022 Immediacies Committee Meeting Minutes
• Approved the January 2022 Council Meeting Minutes 
• Approved the C.7 – Council Committees Monitoring Proposal 
• Approved the C.8 – Council Investment and Stipends Monitoring Proposal 

Additionally, Council reviewed the following new business items:

• Reviewed the draft Policy B.0 – Global GM Constraint Monitoring Proposal and Report 
• Reviewed the draft Policy B.10 – Product Line Monitoring Proposal and Report
• Reviewed the updated Bylaws Refresh Project Scope and Timeline

You can find details on these items by reviewing the February Council Agenda, which is available on the Council Documents page of the greenstar.coop/ website. Minutes are posted to the website upon approval from Council (typically at the following month’s Council meeting).

Next GreenStar Council Meeting: Tuesday, February 14th at 6:30 PM 

Member-Owners are always welcome to attend! Meetings are held online. Email boardadmin@greenstar.coop for instructions on how to attend. Meeting agendas are posted online 6 days before the meeting at: https://greenstar.coop/council-downloads

Come early for pre-meeting engagement with Council!

From 6:15 – 6:30 PM GreenStar members are invited to join Council members for an opportunity to engage in conversation. This 15 minute period is an “open-mic” format and will be recurring – taking place ahead of the GreenStar Council meeting every second Tuesday of the month. Email boardadmin@greenstar.coop for instructions on how to attend.