Guest Shopping Policy
This proposal is to allow guests to be able to shop from the coop, while reserving voting privileges to members.
Background
Currently, only members who contribute labor and pay dues are allowed to shop with the coop. If members bring a one-time or infrequent (twice a year) guest, they could shop through the member who brought them or we could establish a Guest Purchase policy with a Guest option on the buyer’s list of names.
Problem
By restricting shopping to members, we are screening out individuals who might be interested in shopping and joining our coop community at a lower engagement level than current members. Current practice also restricts our sales volume. If the volume of sales were to increase, we would potentially be able in the future to (1) negotiate for lower prices from Chicano Sol (and any other provider) and (2) provide cheaper and higher-quality goods to people in the community.
Solution
Individuals who come with a member (e.g., visiting family and friends) can purchase items as a guest. Prospective members who come to a social or onboarding event but have not become a dues and labor contributing member can purchase items as a guest. We define "guests" as people who have been invited to shop at the co-op by friends or through co-op organized events (eg. at an onboarding event or social). If co-op members feel that guests have been shopping too regularly, they should address the guest and ask them to become members and contribute labor.
Guest Surcharge
The coop reserves the right to institute a percentage surcharge for orders by guests. This surcharge would be raised in the future if a need is assessed, but this proposal recommends a 10% surcharge to start.
Voting Rights
Only members would be able to vote on formal proposals and structural changes to the coop. Guests would have no voting rights but could offer outside perspective and ideas on how to continue to improve processes or innovate to draw in more members and customers.
Results
- The total number of eligible voting members was 21, so the number of votes needed for the proposal to be approved was 11.
- The number of ballots cast was 19 ballots (19 valid ballots, 0 empty ballots).
- 16 voted Yes, 1 voted No, and 2 abstained.
- Thus, the proposal passed.
