Policy Handbook
Brighton Food Co-Op Ordering Club, Inc.


Membership
  1. Each member of Brighton Food Co-op must sign a new member application.
  2. A non-refundable $10.00 membership fee is to be paid each year by January 31st. Members joining after July 1st will be charged half these membership dues. Members whose dues are unpaid after January 31st are considered inactive.
  3. A one-time fee of $25.00 is assessed upon joining. This fee is refundable, but only within 90 days after joining. A new member who decides to leave the co-op within this 90 day "tryout" period should
    • notify the Secretary to remove the member's name from the membership list,
    • notify the Treasurer in writing to request a refund of the $25 fee.
  4. Prior to 2005, members paid a refundable equity fee either when they joined the co-op or as a percentage of each order. Any member who was subject to that equity fee who decides to leave the co-op should
    • notify the Secretary to remove the member's name from the membership list,
    • notify the Treasurer in writing to request a refund of the equity fee.

Board of Directors
  1. The Co-op's Board of Directors may consist of up to 10 officers, including President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, Communications Director, AM Work Coordinator, and PM Work Coordinator.
  2. Elections are held in January of each year, with new officers taking charge of the order at the February distribution.
  3. Each Board officer receives a discount of $10.00 and a waiver of the BFC surcharge at each distribution. The discount is applied to the officer's total order at that distribution.

Voting
  1. Each member family has 1 (one) vote at membership meetings.
  2. Voting requires a quorum of 50% of membership for passing decisions.
  3. A simple majority vote of those members present is necessary for passing decisions.
  4. Any purchase by the Board of a major item over $250.00 must be approved by a vote of the general membership.

Money
  1. Equity assessments made prior to 2005 are kept on deposit with the BFC in a savings account. (This equity was used to help maintain a supply of goods and to pay monthly rental for distribution space, storage, and equipment.)
  2. If a member leaves the co-op, this equity is refundable by a written request to the Treasurer.
  3. A surcharge of 3% is applied to each order to help with operating expenses. This surcharge is subject to change to meet changes in operating expenses.
  4. Members MUST pay their bill on Distribution Day, and no check can be post-dated more than three (3) days past that day. If they do not pay the day of distribution, they must get their check to the Treasurer within three consecutive days or they will be fined $15.00.
  5. Any member whose check fails to clear the bank will be charged the bank fee for insufficient funds.
  6. Any approved expense on behalf of Co-op business may be presented, with a receipt, to the Treaurer for reimbursement.

Working
  1. Each member placing an order must sign in to work a minimum of 4 hours. Only after signing out with the floor coordinator may the member pay for and leave with the order.
  2. A 20% charge may be added to a member’s bill if s/he fails to work and no prior arrangements have been made with the appropriate coordinator to make up the work time. If an emergency prevents the member from working, s/he should contact the coordinator as soon as possible prior to the distribution.
  3. The building will be locked at the end of distribution. Any member who cannot pick up the order by then must contact the coordinator in advance and make other arrangements for pickup.
Due to problems with certain members repeatedly not working and not making up time, or not picking up their orders, this rule was enacted: Two infractions of not working and/or not picking up an order, without prior notice, will be cause for a membership review before the Board.

Extras Table
  1. On Distribution Day, the Extras Table will open at the discretion of the coordinator.
  2. Perishable items on the Extras Table will be dated and may be marked down 10% to 50% after two months.

Return Policy
  1. In the event of a problem with a product from UNFI, affected members must call the Vice President no more than two (2) days after distribution to arrange for a return.
  2. Members will arrange with the Vice President to return damaged merchandise or returnable containers to the distribution site before the starting time of the following distribution day.
  3. The Vice President will notify the member if credit can be given or an exchange made.
  4. The member will not receive any credit or refund until the Brighton Food Co-op receives the credit from United Natural Foods (UNF) or the appropriate vendor.
  5. Outside Vendor discrepancies are to be resolved by the specific batcher with whom the order was placed.


By-Laws Brighton Food Co-Op Ordering Club, Inc.


Article I: Name and Purpose
The name of the food cooperative is the Brighton Food Co-op Ordering Club, Inc. The purpose is to provide an alternative method of obtaining and distributing food and goods at or near wholesale and to provide a forum for nutritional education and exchange of ideas. The membership is limited to 60 families.

Article II: Affiliation
The Brighton Food Co-op is affiliated with United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI), the Great Lakes Chapter of Michigan, and the Frontier Co-operative in Norway, Iowa. The Brighton Food Co-op shall follow all policies of these organizations.