Brooklyn Industrial Arts Proto-Cooperative Bylaws
Real co-op bylaws have to satisfy some legal conditions, these are merely an agreement between shopmates.
Purpose
To provide affordable and functional workshop space, tools, and a community of like-minded shopmates WHO ARE NOT NAZIS
Assets
The proto-coop does not aim to own assets. Any expenses incurred or consumable materials required will be funded by contribution of the Members, or covered by revenue generated by the proto-coop.
Membership
Members are those who are tenants of the space at 544 Park Ave, Ste 332 and who agree to split the costs of renting the space and of maintaining the shop according to the rules determined by the group.
Governance
Voting
Each Member shall be entitled to one vote on any subject that requires voting by members.
The Members may make, amend or repeal the bylaws of the Cooperative by popular vote. Board
A board can be elected by popular vote of the Members for a term of one year.
Any member of the board can be recalled by popular vote of the Members.
The board will consist of three officers:
- Treasurer
- Shop Manager
- Community Manager
Examples of actions the board may take:
- Signing a lease provided that the membership have accepted the general terms
- Purchase of replacement filters for dust collection
- Negotiating a sublease with a month-to-month tenant
Examples of actions the board may not take:
- Dissolving the Cooperative
- Kicking out a member
- Spending more than $200 on un-budgeted discretionary expenses in a given month
- Amending the bylaws of the Cooperative
For those decisions the board is not empowered to take, it will produce proposals which can be voted on by Members.
Popular votes by the membership will be decided by simple majority, except:
Actions that will require a supermajority (3/4rds, rounded up to the nearest whole person):
- Kicking out a member, who are in good standing regarding the code of conduct
Actions requiring unanimous consent:
- Adding a new member
- Adding a monthly expense