Managing disputes and rule infringements is a challenging issue for intentional communities, and our Cooperative is no exception. A little background to this new draft policy and procedure may help.
In September 2014 Goolawah unanimously adopted the Code of Conduct, and in August 2017 a committee was formed to develop a policy and procedure to assist in upholding it and our rules. The current Complaint Management Policy and Procedure (CMPP) was unanimously adopted in January 2018, and finally put into practice two years later.
In December 2020 the community approved a confidence vote in the board to fulfil its obligations under the Law, including implementation of the CMPP, but members also voted to review it.
After many meetings a draft Rules Breaches & Disputes Management Policy was posted on June 25 this year for community consideration. But since then an altered approach and new document have been developed for further consideration as replacement for the CMPP.
The new document title, Grievance Policy and Procedure, takes the term “Grievance” from Co-operative National Law (CNL), our Rule 22 Disputes and Mediation, and Department of Fair Trading.
Denise and others who have worked tirelessly on this very long policy review are looking forward to community feedback.
Grievance Policy and Procedure Oct 2023 final draft
Goolawah Co-op Members 