That Woodsworth be actively involved in important neighbourhood issues and other social issues deemed relevant to members ant the broader community.
FlNDlNGS
1. The top five issues or causes identified by members as worthy of support or donations were: co-op movement, neighbourhood, environment, food/hunger, peace
2. Woodsworth did not budget for donations until 1987. The 1988 budget is $1200, or approximately 0.1% of the annual gross revenue of the coop. 29% of all members stated the current $1200 donation budget is “just right” and 29% said “too low”. Only 4% said “too high”.
3. In identifying the most appropriate donation procedure, 34% of all members stated the Board should be able to donate up to a fixed amount (e.g. $200) with larger amounts decided at a members’ meeting; 20% stated the Board should have the discretion to make all donations with a mandatory report to members; 17% stated the Board should only make recommendations to the members; and 8% felt decisions should only be made by members’ meetings.
4. Announcements of neighbourhood and co-op movement events are frequently made during members’ meetings and appear in the Weekly.
5. 29% of all members report having attended a St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association (SLNA) meeting; 25% a meeting on the new community centre; and 21% a meeting on the proposed Berkeley St. Co-op.
IMPLICATIO¡NS
The co-op and individual members seem to be actively engaged in neighbourhood and other social issues. Co-op support for the SLNA, community centre and Berkeley St. Co-op seems to have resulted in (or at least reinforced) meaningful participation by individual members.
While there is not a clear majority on the appropriate level of the donation budget, it appears that it should either stay the same or be modestly increased. Members also seem prepared to allow the Board to make most donations, as long as large amounts are discussed by the members and all donations are reported.
RECOMMENDED ACTlONS
It is recommended that over a three year period, the co-op increase donations budget to reach a target of .5% of the annual gross revenue.
Woodsworth’s SLNA delegates should report to a members’ meeting with information on the role of the neighbourhood co-ops in the SLNA. The revised members’ handbook should list ail neighbourhood groups and ad hoc committees.
(See also recommendation #2 under Objective 4, and all recommendations under Objective 8.)