Member Responsibilities

Participation in a Cooperative Community

BDRC membership provides rights and benefits. It also involves responsibilities. Cooperative success depends on members meeting their obligations to each other and to the cooperative.

Financial Responsibilities

Share Capital Maintenance

Members are responsible for:

  • Subscribing to required share capital upon admission
  • Maintaining minimum share capital as defined in bylaws
  • Making additional capital contributions if approved democratically by membership
  • Understanding that share capital represents ownership stake in the cooperative

Share capital provides the cooperative with necessary resources.

Payment of Fees and Dues

Members must:

  • Pay applicable membership fees
  • Pay for cooperative services used according to established terms
  • Meet financial obligations to the cooperative in a timely manner
  • Settle accounts before exiting membership

Timely payment ensures cooperative financial health.

Financial Transparency

Members participating in financial facilitation or collective procurement arrangements should:

  • Maintain basic business records
  • Provide information required for legitimate cooperative purposes
  • Be honest in financial dealings with the cooperative
  • Honor commitments made through cooperative arrangements

Financial integrity protects all members.

Governance Responsibilities

Informed Participation

Members have a responsibility to:

  • Stay informed about cooperative matters
  • Read communications from the cooperative
  • Understand issues before voting
  • Participate in governance thoughtfully

Effective democracy requires informed participants.

Active Participation

While not all members can participate equally in all activities, members should:

  • Attend General Body meetings where possible
  • Vote on important matters
  • Consider standing for Board positions where appropriate
  • Engage constructively in cooperative discussions

Participation makes democracy real.

Respect for Democratic Decisions

Members are responsible for:

  • Respecting decisions made through proper democratic processes
  • Accepting majority decisions even when they disagree
  • Working within governance structures to advocate for changes
  • Not undermining cooperative decisions after they are made

Democracy requires respecting collective decisions.

Ethical Responsibilities

Honest Dealings

Members must:

  • Provide accurate information to the cooperative
  • Deal honestly with other members
  • Not misrepresent facts for personal advantage
  • Maintain integrity in all cooperative interactions

Trust is built on honesty.

Respect for Other Members

Members should:

  • Treat other members with respect regardless of differences
  • Avoid actions that harm other members
  • Support the collective good, not only individual interests
  • Recognize diversity within the membership

Cooperation requires mutual respect.

Confidentiality

Members must:

  • Respect confidentiality of sensitive cooperative information
  • Not disclose proprietary information to competitors
  • Protect other members’ business information
  • Use information received through the cooperative appropriately

Confidentiality protects collective interests.

Conflict of Interest Avoidance

Members should:

  • Disclose conflicts of interest where they arise
  • Not use cooperative membership for unfair competitive advantage
  • Avoid actions that place personal interest ahead of cooperative interest
  • Support transparent handling of potential conflicts

Integrity prevents conflicts from damaging the cooperative.

Operational Responsibilities

Compliance with Bylaws and Policies

Members are responsible for:

  • Reading and understanding cooperative bylaws
  • Complying with policies and procedures
  • Following governance decisions
  • Meeting conditions for service participation

Rules exist to protect all members; compliance is a shared responsibility.

Responsible Use of Services

Members using cooperative services should:

  • Use services as intended
  • Not abuse access for improper purposes
  • Provide feedback to improve services
  • Pay fairly for value received

Responsible use ensures services remain available to all.

Data Protection

Members handling other members’ information should:

  • Protect data privacy
  • Use information only for legitimate purposes
  • Follow data protection policies
  • Report data breaches or concerns

Data protection is everyone’s responsibility.

Reputation and Conduct

Upholding Cooperative Reputation

Members are expected to:

  • Conduct business ethically in ways that reflect well on the cooperative
  • Not engage in illegal or highly unethical business practices
  • Represent the cooperative fairly when speaking about it publicly
  • Support the cooperative’s standing in the community

Member conduct affects cooperative reputation.

Constructive Communication

Members should:

  • Raise concerns through appropriate channels
  • Provide criticism constructively
  • Avoid spreading misinformation about the cooperative
  • Engage in good faith dialogue

Constructive communication strengthens the cooperative.

Compliance with Law

Members must:

  • Operate their businesses in compliance with applicable laws
  • Not use the cooperative for illegal purposes
  • Maintain legitimate business operations
  • Meet regulatory requirements applicable to their business

Legal compliance protects the cooperative and all members.

Participation in Collective Activities

Honoring Commitments

Members participating in collective arrangements should:

  • Honor commitments made through collective procurement or other initiatives
  • Communicate clearly if unable to meet commitments
  • Not take advantage of collective arrangements without fair participation
  • Respect terms negotiated collectively

Collective arrangements depend on member reliability.

Opt-In Integrity

Members should:

  • Only opt into arrangements they intend to honor
  • Not commit without serious intent
  • Withdraw from arrangements appropriately if circumstances change
  • Recognize that collective strength depends on member follow-through

Collective strength requires individual integrity.

Support for Cooperative Development

Patient Growth Mindset

Members should:

  • Recognize that cooperative development takes time
  • Support patient building of infrastructure and capabilities
  • Not expect immediate returns on all cooperative initiatives
  • Take a long-term view of cooperative membership

Cooperatives grow through sustained member commitment.

Constructive Feedback

Members help by:

  • Providing honest feedback on services and operations
  • Suggesting improvements
  • Identifying problems constructively
  • Participating in member surveys and consultations

Member feedback drives improvement.

Promoting the Cooperative

Members may:

  • Share information about the cooperative with eligible retailers
  • Encourage membership among appropriate businesses
  • Speak positively about cooperative benefits where genuine
  • Help the cooperative grow thoughtfully

Organic growth through member referral is healthy growth.

Responsibilities in Difficult Situations

Good Faith Dispute Resolution

Members involved in disputes should:

  • Attempt direct resolution first
  • Use cooperative grievance mechanisms appropriately
  • Engage in good faith during resolution processes
  • Accept fair resolutions even if not ideal

Constructive dispute resolution protects relationships.

Financial Difficulties

Members facing financial difficulties should:

  • Communicate proactively with the cooperative
  • Seek solutions rather than avoiding obligations
  • Maintain honesty about circumstances
  • Honor commitments to the extent possible

Proactive communication enables better outcomes.

Exit with Integrity

Members choosing to exit should:

  • Follow proper exit procedures
  • Settle outstanding obligations
  • Complete ongoing commitments appropriately
  • Not disparage the cooperative after exit

Responsible exit maintains relationships.

Special Responsibilities for Board Members

Members elected to the Board have additional responsibilities:

  • Fiduciary duty to act in member interests
  • Time commitment for Board service
  • Confidentiality regarding sensitive Board matters
  • Acting within authority and avoiding overreach
  • Regular attendance and preparation

Board service is serious responsibility.

Consequences of Not Meeting Responsibilities

Failure to meet member responsibilities may result in:

  • Inability to participate in certain services
  • Suspension of voting rights in serious cases
  • Financial penalties where appropriate
  • Termination of membership in extreme cases

Consequences are defined in bylaws and applied fairly through proper processes.

Balancing Rights and Responsibilities

Responsibilities complement rights:

  • Rights protect members and ensure democracy
  • Responsibilities ensure cooperative sustainability
  • Both are necessary for cooperative success

Effective membership means exercising rights and meeting responsibilities.

Support for Meeting Responsibilities

BDRC supports members in meeting their responsibilities through:

  • Clear communication of expectations
  • Training and education on cooperative principles
  • Accessible documentation and policies
  • Responsive support when members have questions
  • Fair and transparent enforcement

We want members to succeed in their responsibilities.

Continuous Improvement

BDRC recognizes that member responsibilities should:

  • Reflect actual member capabilities
  • Balance ideals with practical realities
  • Evolve based on member feedback
  • Remain focused on truly important obligations

Responsibilities should support cooperative success without creating unnecessary burdens.

Questions About Responsibilities

If you have questions about member responsibilities or need support in meeting them:

  • Review cooperative bylaws and policies
  • Contact member services
  • Discuss concerns with Board members
  • Participate in member education sessions

We are here to help you succeed as a member.