The governance (or democratic structure)
of the Co-operative system in the Arctic begins and ends
with local ownership under the control of the individual
owner-members that use the services of the local Co-op.
Co-op members take ownership in their community business
by purchasing and holding shares, but control of the Co-operative
is not linked to the number of shares owned. Instead,
each member has an equal share in the business affairs
of the Co-op - "One Member, One Vote". More than 18,000
individuals are the owner-members of the community based
Co-operatives across the Arctic.
Co-op members are encouraged to participate in the operation
of their Co-operative by contributing ideas and making
decisions on the policies and future direction of the
Co-operative. Members elect the Board of Directors of
the Co-op and provide direction to the board on how their
business should operate. The Board of Directors is accountable
to the members of the Co-op. Co-op members are encouraged
to become directly involved in their Co-operative by participating
on committees or the Board of Directors. If elected as
a Board member, they are obligated to act in the best
interests of the Co-operative.
ARCTIC CO-OPERATIVES LIMITED
Organizational Structure
MEMBERS
OF ARCTIC CO-OPERATIVES LIMITED (ACL)
ACL is co-operatively owned and democratically controlled
by its members. ACL membership includes 31 autonomous
Co-operatives located in communities across northern
Canada. These member Co-operatives are geographically
divided into 7 ACL electoral districts.
DELEGATES
Each Member Co-operative is entitled to be represented
by 2 voting delegates at each annual meeting of ACL.
BOARD
OF DIRECTORS
Elected by the delegates attending the annual meeting.
The Board of Directors consists of 7 directors, or
1 director from each of the 7 electoral districts.
CHIEF
EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Appointed by the Board of Directors, and accountable
to the Board.
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