As a member-owned co-op, our bylaws aren’t just administrative rules—they’re the foundation of our democracy. And like any healthy democracy, they need to evolve. 

Recently, we’ve been exploring a straightforward but important update: formalizing the transition period for newly elected council members. Right now, our bylaws allow a transition period, but they don’t require or define it. Other co-ops build this in explicitly, and we’re considering whether to do the same. 

The Bylaws Committee that led the 2022 overhaul made it clear: our bylaws are a living document. They encouraged us to revisit them periodically, and even flagged a few minor tweaks worth addressing. 

What’s next? 

• This fall: We’ll share detailed proposals for your review. 
• 2027 Annual Meeting: We’ll put any changes to a formal member vote. 
• Ongoing: Your feedback shapes the process. Meanwhile, the council will address this year’s transition period at its June 9 meeting; voting in the council election begins Sept 24. Without a bylaw update, we’d need to approve this transition annually. With one, it becomes automatic and seamless. 

This is your co-op. Your voice matters. Keep an eye on your inbox and the website this fall for draft proposals, comment periods, and ways to get involved. 

Info session for council candidates on Wed., June 10 at 4:30 pm 

Speaking of council elections, June 23 is the deadline for filing papers to run. It only takes nine signatures of Co-op members to run! If you’d like to find out more, check out our candidates’ web page and come to the info session next Wednesday, June 10 at 4:30 pm. Look for signs in the store to find it. 

Ask us anything at the next Co-op Connects on Fri., June 12, 12:00 – 1:00 pm 

Just about every month, General Manager Mary Mullally and I, sometimes with another council member, make an hour in the store to chat with customers. The “ask us anything” session is called Co-op Connects, and the next one is Friday, June 12, 12:00 – 1:00 pm. Please join Mary, me, and possibly another council member to chat about the past, present, or future of the Co-op – or anything else on your mind. We’ll probably be at the demo station or outside the store, depending on the weather—look for signs. 

The Wrap 

Pennies are being phased out, but a clerk at a bagelry recently seemed to think that I believed legal tender was being phased out altogether. The conversation went something like this:  

Me: I’d like to buy a bagel with cream cheese. 

Clerk: Sorry, sir, you’ll need to buy it with money.  

—Carl Etnier, Council President

Do you have any questions or comments about the council? Do you know any jokes even faintly related to food and/or co-ops? Please email them to me!