Members of the Aldergrove-based Otter Co-op are being asked to approve changes that would make its written rules non-gender specific.
It is one of a number of changes to be considered at a of co-op members set for Wednesday, March 8, at 6:30 p.m. in Room B, George Preston Recreation Centre, at 20699 42nd Ave.
The proposed 鈥済endered language鈥� amendments to the Otter Farm and Home Cooperative Rules would include 鈥渃hanging all instances of gender-specific language鈥� in the rules, such as 鈥渉e,鈥� 鈥渟he,鈥� 鈥渉im,鈥� and 鈥渉er,鈥� to be gender-neutral language, such as 鈥渢hey,鈥� 鈥渢heir,鈥� and 鈥渢hem.鈥�
As an example of language that needed adjusting, Co-op CEO Jack Nicholson cited rules that 鈥渢alk about our president being a 鈥榟e,鈥� and the secretary being a 鈥榮he鈥�, and that鈥檚 not always the case.鈥�
Other proposals would amend the rules governing electronic meetings, which currently say members viewing an Otter electronic general meeting 鈥渁re not entitled to be included in a quorum and are not entitled to vote on any resolutions at the general meeting, except for the election of directors.鈥�
Under the revised rule, members attending an electronic meeting would be entitled 鈥渢o vote on any resolutions at the general meeting, including the election of directors, as otherwise authorized under these rules.鈥�
Nicholson said with Otter operating as far away as Whistler and Penticton, 鈥渙ur trading area is just so large,鈥� and the change will make it easier for members to participate without have to make a long trip.
A clause would be added saying if 鈥渆lectronic ballots are used for the election of directors at a general meeting, such electronic ballots must be tallied at the same time as the in-person secret ballots, if any.鈥�
Voting would be allowed at electronic meetings if each member has access, and votes can be counted without identifying how each member voted.
Changes are also proposed for board remuneration, and director purchase requirements.
The complete list of resolutions can be .
Members can pre-register at the Otter Co-op administration office, or by emailing name, phone and membership number to questions@otter-coop.com by March 3, at 5 p.m.
The notice said that due to limited capacity, only voting members may attend the meeting, without guests.
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