October 2022 Council News
from Marilyn Chase, Council President
GreenStar Council News for October 2022
Council Retreat and Planning for GreenStar’s Future
Council and our General Manager will be meeting in November for our first in-person retreat since early 2020. At this retreat, the many ideas received from staff at the three All-Staff-Meetings held in August, and from members at the Annual Member Meeting earlier this month will be reviewed and used in planning future GreenStar initiatives. I was fortunate to be present at all four events. As staff and members shared their ideas, the love for our Co-op and our Co-op values was evident with each suggestion. Every idea spoke to increasing our sense of community, expressing our cooperative values, and strengthening our Co-op. I’m excited to begin this work.
I reported in the June 2021 Council News that Council approved an initiative to undertake a comprehensive review of the current Bylaws and engage GreenStar Membership in the review process. Our initial plans were to introduce the project in the fall of 2021, and begin the work in early 2022. The departure of our General Manager in September of 2021 immediately redirected Council’s focus to support interim management and hire a new GM, delaying this important work.
Our original bylaws were written and approved in 1984. Although the membership has approved amendments over the years, the last comprehensive review on record was in 1997. Best governance practices require regular bylaws review to ensure legal compliance and maintain sound governance practices. We look forward to working with GreenStar membership on this project in early 2023
Highlights from the October Council Meeting
Council monitored Policy B.1 – Financial Condition for the second quarter of 2022, finding us in compliance with Policy B.1 except sub policy 2. The period monitored was prior to our new General Manager’s arrival and does not reflect upon his performance. He has already instituted a plan for compliance, which you can read about in the B.1 Monitoring Report for the second quarter.
Council approved an amendment to Policy C.5 – Council Code of Conduct adopting guidelines for professional behavior on Social Media. Social Media has become ubiquitous in our society, and organizations may be held liable for offensive social media posts made by an employee or a Council member, even if made on personal social media accounts. These guidelines help ensure Council members make responsible decisions about their use of social media.
Council also approved a proposal to amend Policy C.6 – Officer’s Roles, adopt the Council Newsletter Submissions Procedure, and repeal the Greenleaf policy. The newly approved Newsletter Submission Procedure ensures Council complies with requirements outlined in the Bylaws, but also allows for the contribution of additional content from Council and members.
Council is pleased to announce that with the passage of this last proposal, we have finally completed the transition to Policy Governance style policies. This transition began in 2010 when Council voted to adopt policy governance, and progressed slowly with only 30% of the conversion achieved in the first 9 years. Since 2019, we have worked diligently to finish this initiative. Our current policies provide flexibility, as well as clarity and consistency. With all policies converted, and an established monthly policy monitoring schedule, we can more effectively and efficiently monitor the work of Council and our General Manager.
It should be noted that, based on recent feedback from members indicating a desire from some to see the return of a printed newsletter, our General Manager is working towards the production of a printed, quarterly newsletter in early 2023.
You can find details on these items by reviewing the October 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, November 8th beginning 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 a Conversation with Council!
From 6:00 – 6:30 PM GreenStar members are invited to join Council members for an opportunity to engage in conversation. This 30 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.