Long term decisions

These are the decisions which affect how the co-operative does its work over at least a six month timescale. This also covers any decisions mentioned in the Rules of incorporation.

The Purpose Circle and what it exists to do

Some decisions have long-lasting effects: they shape how the co-op works over the months and years ahead. These include agreeing on the annual budget, deciding our long-term priorities, and anything else laid out in our official rules.

To make these big-picture decisions, we havethe Purpose Circle, which reports to our Members.

Members

Who's involved?

Every member of Equal Care can take part: supported members, worker members, advocate members and investor members. Everyone who has signed up to be a member of the co-op has an equal say.

When do we meet?

At least four times a year. One of these is our Annual General Meeting (AGM), and we hold at least three other Members Meetings across the year.

What kind of things do we decide?

• Our overall direction and strategy

• Who joins the board (also known as the Purpose Circle)

• How any surplus (profit) is shared or reinvested

• Whether to remove a member (this is very rare)

• The annual budget for the co-op

How do we make decisions?

We use a consent process first, which means we check whether anyone has a strong, reasoned objection. If there are no objections, the decision goes ahead.

In some cases, a formal voting process will follow, especially when required by our Rules.

Any jargon I need to know?

In our legal documents (called our Rules of Incorporation), Members' Meetings are referred to as Meetings of the Members.

Purpose Circle