Election info – Woodsworth Housing Co-operative

Protected: 2024 NOMINEES in co-op elections

Advance polls start Friday Nov 22 & AGM will be held on Wednesday Nov 27 at 7pm

The co-op elections are well underway.

The profiles and photos of candidates were published in his week’s Weekly (November 17, 2024). Elections will be held for the Board, the Membership Committee and the Reconciliation Committee. The other positions were acclaimed since the number of candidates matched the number of positions available.

Advance polls start Friday November 22 for electronic or paper ballots.

TO VOTE ELECTRONICALLY:

· Friday Nov 22nd a link to Election Buddy will be sent to all who have chosen this option
· The link to Election Buddy remains open every day until the close of voting on Wednesday Nov 27th, at the end of the AGM
· You may vote for your choices at any time during this period, Nov 22nd – Nov 27th.

Watch for an email with your personal link to Election Buddy if you chose that option. It is always possible that the email may go into your spam or junk folder.

TO VOTE BY PAPER BALLOT:

All paper ballots will be available for personal pickup in the mid rise lobby on 3 advance dates and at the AGM

· Friday Nov 22nd from 2pm -7pm in the lobby
· Saturday Nov 23rd from 10am-2p.m in the lobby
· Sunday, Nov 24th from 10am-2pm in the lobby
· At the AGM on Wednesday Nov 27th in the penthouse

You will need to sign for the ballot, with proof of identity, either photo id card such as Ontario, school or work ID, drivers’ licence, passport or a recent utility bill.

Ballots may not be picked up or signed for by proxy.

If you need accommodation for voting, please call the office. You will still need to sign for a paper ballot.

VOTING AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING:

The Ballot Box will also be set up at the meeting in the penthouse for those who missed voting. Members can cast their votes until the end of the AGM on November 27th.

Rules to remember when filling in your ballots:

• Members must cast a number of votes equal to the number of positions to be filled. Any ballot which has more or less votes will not be counted.

• Members cannot vote more than once for a candidate.

• Members cannot appoint someone else to vote for them

• Members have to provide identification to receive a paper ballot.

ATTENDING THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The meeting will be hybrid. You can join other members in the Penthouse on Wednesday November 27 or online with Zoom.

The AGM package with audited statements was distributed to each unit on November 14, 2024.

Management sent a Zoom link to members who wish to attend the meeting online by email on November 15, 2024. See also the attachment.

Protected: 2024 Co-op Elections – positions available, who is continuing for another year, job descriptions

2024 Woodsworth Elections – Timetable

Timeline – nominations and voting for the 2024 co-op elections

Woodsworth members will be able to vote during ADVANCE VOTING (Nov 22-27), and at the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING on Wednesday November 27th at 7pm.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS WITH THESE IMPORTANT DATES:
August — Voter Registration: The Woodsworth Voters Registration Form was delivered to all members to mark their choice of ballot, either electronic or paper. Please return your form ASAP to the acrylic Ballot Box in the Photocopy Room on the second floor.

Mon Sept 9th— Nominations Open:
Get ready to nominate yourself for the various available positions, including the Board of Directors. Look for the complete list of elected positions in The Weekly, the co-op bulletin boards and the co-op website. Nomination Forms are located in the Photocopy Room on the 2nd floor in the midrise.

Fri Nov 8th — Nominations Close:
Make sure you meet all eligibility requirements and submit all the necessary documentation, including your signed Nomination Form, to the grey Elections Committee Box in the Photocopy Room by this deadline.

Fri Nov 22nd — Advance Voting Starts, Cast your Vote!
Members will have already registered their vote preference with the Elections Committee, and they will be able to begin voting either electronically or by paper ballot.

Advance voting – online:

• Friday Nov 22nd –Voting Email will be sent to members to begin voting using Election Buddy. Online voting continues until the end of the annual general meeting (AGM) on Wednesday Nov 27th.

Advance voting – paper ballots:

• Friday Nov 22nd (2-7pm) Paper Ballot pickup & voting in the Lobby

• Saturday Nov 23th (10am-2pm) Paper Ballot pickup & voting in the Lobby

• Sunday Nov 24th (10am-2pm) Paper Ballot pickup & voting in the Lobby

Wednesday Nov 27th Annual General Meeting (AGM):
Electronic or Paper Ballots can be cast during the AGM.
The Ballot Box will be set up in the Penthouse, and voting will end when the meeting finishes.

Thurs Nov 28th — Results are announced! Look for the results on the bulletin boards and the co-op website.

Woodsworth is a democratic, member-controlled housing co-op, and it cannot run without members stepping up to fill the necessary roles.

It’s your turn to do your part and make a difference!

Information from the Elections Committee can be found on the bulletin boards, The Weekly and the co-op website. Learn about the work done by the Board of Directors, the various committees, and delegates to see where you’ll want to contribute. Remember, Woodsworth needs you!

Please contact us at nominate@woodsworthcoop.ca with your questions.

Positions available and more – 2024 Co-op Elections – positions available, who is continuing for another year, job descriptions

Nomination form for Board of Directors (elections)

Nomination form for committees and delegates (elections)

Voter registration form
This form was delivered to every member in September 2024 requesting information from every member in the unit, giving their choice of either electronic voting or paper ballot and appropriate contact info. This register is maintained by the Election Committee.
Contact them at nominate@woodsworthcoop.ca

Consider joining the Membership Committee!

Updated September 25, 2024

Woodsworth’s Membership Committee is a key elected committee and with a new Membership Bylaw to help us with our work, it is an important group to join. There are seven committee members elected for a two-year term. This year, the committee needs four (4) new members for a two year term. If elected, you will be required to complete a confidentiality agreement.

Meetings and your commitment:

The committee normally meets once a month. (The new bylaw requires the committee to meet at least eight (8) times per year.) Of course there are sometimes tasks between meetings, especially when there is an information session planned. Currently, the committee is meeting online.

What the Membership Committee does:

The Membership Committee organizes and hosts information sessions for Long-Term Guests, Turning 16’s and external people. After interviewing these attendees, the committee makes recommendations for membership to the Board of Directors.

The committee responds to membership inquiries and concerns. Membership also provides feedback on membership bylaws when needed.

Management maintains waiting lists and makes offers of units, and the committee liaises with them about membership matters.

How to become a member of the Membership Committee:

Remember you can nominate yourself! Fill in a committee nomination form (available on bulletin boards, online and in the Photocopy Room).

Sign it and return to the Elections Committee through the new election’s mailbox in the Photocopy Room on the 2nd floor.

Write a short bio, plus photo of yourself. The bio should introduce yourself to members. Possibly include why you are standing. Other helpful information might include a specific skill that you feel is useful. The photo does not need to be studio worthy; a selfie is fine. It helps members to place you in their minds. When happy with your bio, simply send it to the election committee email address: nominate@woodsworthcoop.ca.

Special rules for the Membership Committee:

Board members cannot be members of the Membership Committee.
Members of the Membership Committee may not serve more than four (4) consecutive years, ie. two (2) consecutive 2-year terms.
A member of the committee who has served for two consecutive terms is not eligible to be a committee member until the next annual election after the second term ended. A partial term counts as a term if it is longer than one year.

More questions?

For questions about nominations and elections, contact nominate@woodsworthcoop.ca

For questions specifically about the Membership Committee, contact woodsworthmembership@gmail.com