GreenStar Bylaws Refresh Project Update: Spring 2024

GreenStar Bylaws Refresh Project Update: Spring 2024

Back in 2021, Council approved a proposal directing the Co-op to launch a comprehensive review of Greenstar’s Bylaws. This work was interrupted due to the unexpected departure of our General Manager, but was restarted last year by the Governance Committee. The hope is to have a finalized version of the revised Bylaws available for member approval by the annual fall voting period this October.

What are the Bylaws?

The bylaws are the governing rules by which our organization operates. Because GreenStar is a cooperative, our governance process begins with you, our member-owners. Member-owners empower Council through the Bylaws, and Council is accountable to member-owners for the success of the cooperative. In addition to Council elections, the bylaws are the key means by which member-owners empower and structure the governance of the organization — and determine how decision-making authority is divided between Council and the Membership.

Why do we need to review the Bylaws?

Regular Bylaw reviews are important for ensuring that GreenStar is compliant with the law, and that Council can properly accomplish its job. Our last comprehensive bylaws review was completed 24 years ago and a lot has changed since that time. Our goal is to clean up the existing Bylaws so that they are more succinct and provide clear guidelines for Council while it is performing its work.

Where are we in the process for revising the Bylaws?

Our first step was to create a draft of the revised Bylaws for members to review. In June 2023, Council approved a draft version which was introduced at the 50-ish anniversary celebration later that month. Council continued to solicit feedback on the first draft throughout the year, and developed and approved a revised version utilizing member feedback as well as relevant information from the National Cooperative Grocers research on Cooperative Governance.

Our next step is obtaining member commentary on the revised version. Over the next few months, Council is setting up multiple meetings, both virtual and in-person, to solicit feedback on this revised version from the membership (Dates and times below). Council needs your input! The Bylaws are our basic governance principles and they are under the exclusive control of the membership; we need to make sure that what we are crafting resonates with the values and goals of the Co-op.

Register here to attend one of the following in-person or online Bylaws Feedback Member Forums

• Monday June 17, from 5:00 – 7:00 PM: In-person Member Forum at the Tompkins County Public Library Borg Warner Room

• Monday, June 24, from 6:30 to 7:30: Online Member Forum

• Sunday, July 7 from 3:00 to 4:00 PM: Online Member Forum
• Thursday July 11, from 5:00 – 7:00 PM: In-person Member Forum at Greenstar (770 Cascadilla Street / the Space)

You are also welcome to provide your feedback to Council via this online feedback form. If you have any questions, please contact Council via email at: council@greenstar.coop