Hunger Mountain Cooperative has six levels of governing documents. They are listed below in the order of their importance and authoritative hierarchy.
This page is about unwrapping the easily overlooked confusion of interlocking rules. Personally I find it crucially important to understand our rules -- understanding the scope of these various rule sets becomes the basis for further discussion as we travel this road of gathering, educating, and collaborating toward a common purpose… and especially being able to have the language and structure available so we can mindfully apply principles in a coherent manner, consistent with our intent.
Our Articles of Incorporation are our agreement with the State of Vermont to exist. They are a public document that we have filed as a corporation with the Secretary of State, and are a public record that tells people key details about the cooperative.
The Hunger Mountain Bylaws are the agreements that we have between the members and the complete organization. They comprise our primary characteristics, prescribe binding rules for our functional integrity, and are so important they may only be changed within a strict and formalized process that is part of the Bylaws themselves. At HMC, only members may change the Bylaws and that is one of two major responsibilities of the members – the other is to vote for the Council members.
This is the agreement between the Council and the Management, and details a system of organizational governance that demands oversight and accountability in the context of proper conduct and relationships within the Coop. The Council is authorized to amend or repeal provisions in the PG document.
Robert’s Rules of Order is the agreement that we have between ourselves in our meetings, which establishes the protocols, procedures and etiquette as we conduct our orderly business.
Miscellaneous Policies establish various agreements and operating procedures as needed. The Council and Management may adopt Policies, but they may not conflict with higher governing principles and documents.
The International Cooperative Alliance's Cooperative Principles are a non-binding, inspirational template that informs and unites a cooperative philosophy, with our creative impulses to create a manifest social context in which to live, thrive and celebrate.