Members exercise democratic control of their co-op at the co-op’s general meetings. Democratic member control is one of the international co-operative principles, and applies to all co-operative enterprises.

This means that every member is entitled:

• to attend general meetings and vote (with some minor exceptions) – see ‘Voting‘,
• to know in advance when meetings are scheduled – see ‘Notices and notice periods‘, and,
• to access a report of what was decided at the meeting – see ‘Minutes‘.

The business on the agenda of general meetings includes anything the Cooperative Association Act or your co-op’s Rules requires to be decided by, or to be brought before, members . This includes:

• Annual General Meeting business: receipt of the audited financial statements, report from the auditor, report from the board of directors, elections to the board, and appointment of the auditor
• Receiving the budget and approving housing charges (note in a few co-ops the members do not approve housing charges)
• Approving the co-op’s Rules and Occupancy Agreement including any amendments
• Approving co-op policy (if your Rules require policies to be approved by the membership – most but not all co-ops)
• Hearing appeals by a member whose membership has been terminated (other than for arrears) by the board of directors
• Considering a motion to remove a Director from office
• Approving major borrowing such as a mortgage
• Holding a by-election to fill casual vacancies on the board of directors
• Any other motion within the powers of the members

In addition, the board may decide to put on the agenda other issues that do not require a decision by members, such as:

• Providing an update on co-op projects,
• providing board clarification on issues or concerns, or
• seeking member input on co-op initiatives.