Member Rights

Democratic Participation

BDRC is owned and controlled by its members. Every member has fundamental rights that ensure democratic participation and fair treatment.

Voting Rights

One Member, One Vote

Every member has equal voting rights in the cooperative:

  • One vote per member in General Body meetings
  • Equal voice regardless of business size
  • No weighted voting based on capital contribution
  • No special voting privileges for any member class

Democratic equality is fundamental to cooperative principles.

Participation in Elections

Members have the right to:

  • Vote in elections for Board of Directors
  • Stand for election to the Board (subject to eligibility criteria defined in bylaws)
  • Nominate candidates for Board positions
  • Participate in recall or removal processes where applicable

Democratic governance depends on member participation.

Decision-Making Participation

Members participate in major cooperative decisions:

  • Approval of major policy changes
  • Amendments to cooperative bylaws
  • Decisions on significant cooperative investments or partnerships
  • Approval of annual accounts and budgets
  • Other matters requiring member approval under bylaws or regulations

Significant decisions require member consent.

Information Rights

Access to Cooperative Information

Members have the right to:

  • Receive regular reports on cooperative operations
  • Access annual financial statements
  • Understand how the cooperative uses member contributions
  • Review major contracts and partnerships (subject to confidentiality requirements)
  • Obtain information about governance decisions

Transparency enables informed participation.

Access to Personal Information

Members have the right to:

  • Know what personal and business information the cooperative holds
  • Understand how their information is used
  • Request corrections to inaccurate information
  • Access records of their transactions with the cooperative

Data transparency builds trust.

Timely Communication

Members have the right to receive:

  • Advance notice of General Body meetings
  • Timely information about matters requiring member decisions
  • Regular updates on cooperative activities
  • Clear explanation of changes affecting members

Timely information enables effective participation.

Economic Rights

Access to Cooperative Services

Members have the right to:

  • Access all cooperative services on equal terms
  • Participate in any cooperative initiative on an opt-in basis
  • Receive fair treatment in service delivery
  • Benefit from collective arrangements where they choose to participate

Membership provides access, not obligations.

Share in Cooperative Surplus

Members have rights regarding cooperative surplus:

  • Participate in decisions about surplus allocation
  • Receive patronage dividends where applicable based on use of cooperative services
  • Share in accumulated reserves according to bylaws
  • Receive fair value for shares upon exit (subject to regulations)

Economic benefits reflect cooperative participation.

No Unfair Discrimination

The cooperative may not:

  • Deny services to members without legitimate reason
  • Favor certain members over others without objective justification
  • Use cooperative resources to benefit some members at the expense of others
  • Create arbitrary distinctions between member classes

Fairness and equality guide cooperative operations.

Participation Rights

Voluntary Participation in Activities

Members have the right to:

  • Choose which cooperative services to use
  • Participate in collective initiatives on an opt-in basis
  • Decline participation without penalty
  • Maintain business independence

Voluntary participation respects member autonomy.

Voice in Cooperative Direction

Members have the right to:

  • Propose initiatives or services for cooperative consideration
  • Raise concerns about cooperative operations
  • Question Board decisions
  • Advocate for changes in cooperative direction

Member voice shapes cooperative evolution.

Attend and Speak at Meetings

Members may:

  • Attend General Body meetings
  • Speak on matters under discussion
  • Ask questions of Board members and management
  • Propose resolutions for member consideration

Meetings are member forums, not administrative formalities.

Protection Rights

Protection from Unfair Actions

Members are protected from:

  • Arbitrary expulsion or suspension
  • Retaliation for exercising member rights
  • Discrimination based on non-business factors
  • Abuse of cooperative power by leadership

Safeguards protect members from arbitrary actions.

Due Process

Members facing disciplinary action or disputes have rights to:

  • Notice of charges or concerns
  • Opportunity to respond and present their case
  • Fair and impartial review
  • Appeal mechanisms
  • Representation where appropriate

Fairness applies even in difficult situations.

Privacy Protection

Members have rights to:

  • Confidentiality of personal and business information
  • Protection from unauthorized data sharing
  • Security of information held by the cooperative
  • Redress for data protection violations

Privacy is a fundamental right.

Governance Rights

Oversight of Leadership

Members have the right to:

  • Hold the Board accountable for performance
  • Require explanations for major decisions
  • Remove directors for cause through defined processes
  • Ensure leadership serves member interests

Accountability prevents abuse of power.

Participation in Governance Changes

Members participate in:

  • Amendments to cooperative bylaws
  • Changes to governance structures
  • Creation of new member committees or bodies
  • Modifications to member rights or responsibilities

Governance changes require member approval.

Access to Grievance Mechanisms

Members have the right to:

  • Raise grievances through defined channels
  • Receive timely response to concerns
  • Fair resolution of disputes with the cooperative
  • Appeal unsatisfactory resolutions

Effective grievance mechanisms protect member interests.

Exit Rights

Voluntary Exit

Members have the right to:

  • Resign from the cooperative according to defined procedures
  • Receive return of share capital (subject to regulations and bylaws)
  • Settle accounts with the cooperative
  • Exit without unreasonable barriers or penalties

Exit rights prevent involuntary retention.

Transfer of Membership

Where bylaws permit, members may have rights to:

  • Transfer membership according to defined rules
  • Nominate successors for family businesses
  • Arrange for business continuity in membership

Transfer rights accommodate business transitions.

Special Protections

Protection of Minority Views

Even when decisions are made by majority:

  • Minority views are heard and recorded
  • Supermajority requirements protect against narrow majorities on major issues
  • Dissenting members retain full membership rights
  • No retaliation for voting against majority positions

Democratic process respects minority voices.

Protection from Conflicts of Interest

Members are protected from:

  • Board members acting in personal interest rather than member interest
  • Transactions that benefit leadership at member expense
  • Hidden relationships that create conflicts
  • Lack of disclosure of potential conflicts

Conflict of interest policies protect members.

Enforcement of Rights

Mechanisms for Enforcement

Members can enforce their rights through:

  • Direct communication with Board and management
  • Formal grievance procedures
  • General Body resolutions
  • External regulatory authorities where appropriate
  • Legal recourse as a last resort

Rights are meaningful only if enforceable.

Cooperative Commitment

BDRC commits to:

  • Respect member rights in all operations
  • Respond to member concerns promptly
  • Correct violations when identified
  • Continuous improvement in member service

Rights are not merely formal; they guide operations.

Balancing Rights and Responsibilities

Member rights exist alongside member responsibilities. Rights enable participation; responsibilities ensure cooperative success.

Effective membership requires understanding both:

  • Rights protect members and ensure democratic control
  • Responsibilities maintain cooperative integrity and sustainability

Together, rights and responsibilities create a healthy cooperative.

Questions About Rights

If you have questions about member rights or believe your rights have been violated:

  • Review these provisions carefully
  • Consult cooperative bylaws and regulations
  • Raise concerns through defined channels
  • Contact member services for clarification

Your rights matter. Exercise them constructively.