Management Plan
PART 1 – General outline of co-op structure and policies
The Davidson Creek Housing Co-operative Ltd. is a 52 unit Townhouse and Community Centre housing co-operative project consisting of 2, 3 and 4 bedroom units located in the Davidson Creek Subdivision in Sherwood Park, Alberta.
1) to provide on a co-operative basis affordable and quality housing and the services and facilities ancillary thereto, to persons, the majority of whom are members of the Association and who will occupy the housing units otherwise than as individual owners.
2) to create and encourage in each member a viewpoint of co-operative ownership which shall imply a sense of pride and responsibility not only towards their individual unit and private space but also to the common structures and property.
3) to provide on a co-operative basis an opportunity to the members to maintain control over their living environment, through democratic participation and control of all aspects of their housing and the attendant services and facilities.
4) to develop on a co-operative basis a community environment which will support human development and growth both as individuals and as members of responsible communities.
5) to create an integrated community by striving to maintain 35% of the units occupied by persons who are single
parents and 10% of the units occupied by persons who are mentally and/or physically handicapped.
The following are the , principles under which the Co-operative operates.
1. Membership is voluntary and open to those who can use the services of the Co-op, subscribe to the principles and practice of Co-operative organization, and are wilting to assume the responsibilities associated with membership.
2. Membership is based on shares. Each adult shall individually be entitled to apply for membership and the
issuance of a share in the applicant’s name shall constitute the granting of individual membership.
3. Each member has one vote regardless of the extent of the member’s investment.
4. The Board of Directors shall be elected by the general membership to run the day to day operation of the Co-op, and shall remain accountable to the general membership.
5. The business of the Co-op shall be carried on for the benefit of the members.
6. Provision shall be made for the education of members in the techniques of co-operative operations.
7. Provision shall be made for co-operation with other cooperative
associations, at the local, national and international level.
8. The business of the Co-op shall be operated as nearly as possible at cost; however, the Co-op may provide its’
services to its’ members on a sliding scale of fees, based upon their financial situation.
9. The business of the Association shall be carried on without pecuniary gain to its’ members meaning that:
– Any profits or accretions to the Co-op shall be used for the purpose of promoting its objects;
– Upon termination of a membership in the Association for any reason, the Association shall, subject to the provisions of the Co-operative Associations Act, purchase all shares of the Association held by the terminating member at par value;
– No dividend shall be paid with respect to shares;
– If the Association shall be dissolved, any funds remaining to the credit of the Association, after the payment of any debts and liabilities, and the member share capital at par value, shall be donated to another non-profit or charitable corporation or corporations which carry on their work solely in Canada in such proportion as the members of the Association shall decide.
The Co-operative is organized into four broad areas of responsibility: the General Membership, the Board of Directors, Committees, and the individual member. A brief description of the roles and authority each area has follows.
General Membership:
The membership as shareholders in a democratic organization have the authority to direct the Co-op subject to the powers and limitations found in the Co-operat{ve Act, Standard By-laws, and the Co-op’s own Memorandum of Association, Supplemental By-laws, Occupancy Agreement and policies. The general policies, goals and direction of the Co-operative are set by the membership at duly called general meetings or by ballot as set out in the By-laws. The general membership may delegate its powers to the Board, a committee or a person; however the body to whom the delegation of responsibility is given is always accountable to the general membership and their delegated powers can be revoked by the general membership.
Board of Directors:
The Board of Directors are elected by and from the general membership and are entrusted with the overall management of the Co-operative. Their authority both derives frcim and is limited by the Co-operative Act, Standard By-laws and the Co-op’s Memorandum, Supplemental By-laws, Occupancy Agreement and policies. The Board is responsible to the membership for implementing general policies, ensuring that the day to day affairs of the Co-operative are well managed, approving committee procedures and reviewing policy proposals and budgets prior to presentation to the general membership.
Committees:
The committees consist of volunteer members who undertake roles and tasks within the committees’ respective mandates. Each committee has a designated representative who acts as liaison to the Board of Directors. Each committee derives its mandate and authority to carry out its functions from the general membership in the form of goals and policies, and from the Board in the form of approved procedures and direction. Beyond undertaking and executing those functions for they have been mandated the committees are responsible such research and development of policies, structures procedures as would further the goals established for the committee for the general membership.
1) The Board of Directors shall consist of no less than 5 members, who shall include a President, V.P.(Membership), V.P.(Maintenance), Secretary and Treasurer. The members of the Board are elected from and by the general membership.
2) The objective of the Board of Directors shall be to ensure that the business of the Co-operative is carried out. The Board of Directors shall be responsible for:
– the day to day operations of the Co-operative
– the supervision of the activities of the Co-operative
– entering into any contracts on behalf of the Cooperative
– ensuring that the following records are developed and maintained:
— a list of Subscribing Members
— a membership list containing the information required by The Co-operative Associations Act including the shares owned by every member of the Co-operative
— the minutes of all General, Annual, and Special meetings of the Association
— the minutes of all meetings of the Board of Directors and any committees of the Board
— a record of all assets and liabilities of the Association
— a record of all monies received by the Association
— a record of all disbursements of funds of the Association.
The signing authority for the Co-operative shall be empowered to the Board of Directors. Two of the signatures are required at all times. Power to use the Seal of the Co-operative and to legally bind the Co-operative may only be done by a special resolution of the Board of Directors and the President, or, in his/her absence, a Vice-President, and the Secretary or whoever else the Board appoints shall have the authority to sign under the Seal of the Co-operative.
In addition to the Board of Directors, there shall be at least the following committees:
1) Finance
2) Maintenance
3) Membership
4) Administration/Secretarial