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*Election mailing was delivered to the Post Office on April 24, 2008, and the election began April 25th. Shareholders in counties other than Yolo can anticipate delivery later than in Davis (based on experience). Our Bylaws specify that the election cannot end fewer than 30 days after the mailing date.

Vote in this election!

One of the best ways to make your voice heard in the store you own is to participate in the annual Co-op election. Remember to vote on or before Wednesday, May 28, 2008. Look at the election bulletin boards in the store near the Southwest entrance door (or here). Candidates and members will express their opinions and endorsements there (and reasonable effort will be made to keep the physical and electronic comments cross-posted).

❦  Voters will be selecting candidates to fill three seats on the Board with three-year terms. The top three vote-getters in the election will be seated to fill three-year terms as Directors, the fourth will be seated to fill a one-year term created by resignation, while the fifth and sixth will be seated as first and second Alternate Directors. Alternates serve for one year and vote at Board meetings when a Director is absent. Alternates are appointed to fill out a term if a Director resigns or is incapable of serving. Any other members who declare candidacy (using the form approved by the Board and available in the store or on-line at www.davisfood.coop/Board.html) and receive votes can be elected as write-in candidates, either as Directors or Alternates.

❦  You can vote if you are the shareholder in your household. If you’re not the shareholder or co-owner, you cannot vote “by proxy” on someone’s behalf; proxy votes are not allowed in California Cooperative Corporations.

❦  You can vote if you’re in good standing on Wednesday, May 28, the last day of voting. You must invest at least $20 in shares in 2008, or otherwise satisfy the investment requirement in our Bylaws. You also must not have any outstanding bad checks to the Co-op or otherwise be out of compliance with Membership Responsibilities and Restrictions listed in the Bylaws (Article IV, Section 3; please see www.davisfood.coop/bylaws.html). Ask a cashier to scan your Co-op Card before the voting deadline – if the message says “current->2008” you can assume you are in good standing.

❦  Ballots were mailed to all shareholders in good standing as of March 31 (per Article IX, Section 6 (A)(1) of our Bylaws), with the Voter’s Pamphlet. Do not assume if you received this in the mail that you are now in good standing. Copies of the Bylaws, ballots, and Voter’s Pamphlet will also available in the store throughout the election.

❦  To be valid, ballots must be returned to the store by 10PM, Wednesday May 28, or if mailed must be postmarked May 28 or earlier. To be valid, a ballot must also be in a sealed envelope, and signed on the outside by the shareholder (or co-owner). Election volunteers &/or Co-op staff check both the signature and the good standing of each shareholder who votes. Please legibly print your name and member number on the envelope, to assist us in finding your signature in our files. Ballots of shareholders not in good standing are not opened or counted; when possible, we make an effort to contact the shareholder so they can put their membership in good standing before the end of the election. If you want your vote to count, have a cashier scan your Co-op Card, or talk to the Membership Department. Call 530-758-2095 – 8 – 11 to leave a message for Membership Director Doug Walter or write dwalter[at]davisfood.coop if you have questions.

❦  Nine shareholders have declared candidacy for the Board (as of April 11th). You may vote for up to four candidates, since there are four seats open. You cannot vote more than once for the same person. You can vote for fewer than four candidates if you choose.

❦  We cannot accept two ballots from one shareholder. However, you can change your vote using the ballots and envelopes available in the store. Write the date on the front of your envelope and that the ballot enclosed supercedes your previous vote. Your new envelope must be signed and sealed, and your name should be legibly printed. We cannot combine votes from two ballots.

Running for the Board
❦ You must be a Co-op shareholder in good standing to serve as a Director or Alternate. If you’re a member of a shareholder’s household now, but don’t own shares, you can run. If you are elected, you must start your own membership (by investment, transfer or becoming a co-owner) by the time your term starts on July 1, 2008.

❦  For more information about eligibility, and the Declaration of Candidacy form, see “Yes, I want to be a Candidate for the Co-op Board of Directors” in the store or by following the links to PDF files above. If you have questions, please contact Doug Walter.

❦   Write-in candidates can declare themselves up to the last day of the election. Your name, candidate’s statement and (probably) photo will be posted in the store and on line as soon as we can manage after you file your Declaration. If you vote for a write-in candidate who’s not on the Election display, please tell them that you did — unless they file a Declaration, your vote can’t help elect them.

Ballot counting and results
❦   Ballots will be counted in the Conference Room of the store on Friday, May 30; we expect to start soon after Noon and finish in five hours or fewer. Counting might be necessary on Saturday, May 31 (but is unlikely, based on past experience). The count is open to any member in good standing who is not a candidate, or a household member of a candidate, for election to the Board of Directors on the ballot being counted. There’s plenty of signature checking and other work before the count can begin — please contact Doug at the store to help.

❦   Results will be posted on the election display and at davisfood.coop on or before Monday, June 2. Preliminary results should be available on Friday.

If you are interested, the entire Voters' Pamphlet is available as a PDF document.

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