Special Meeting + Board Election

Join us on November 15, 2023, at 6:00 pm for a Special Meeting for co-op members, electing up to nine new board of directors.

November 15 @ 6:00 pm

CTC's special meeting will take place on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, at 6:00 pm.

Notice of a Special Member’s Meeting

Attached below is an official Notice of a Special Member’s Meeting of Commonwealth Terrace Cooperative, which is being scheduled in response to a Petition by community members. This Notice has also been sent to all CTC residences by postal mail. Also attached is a cover letter explaining the decision process taken in scheduling this meeting.

Attachments:

Attend the In-Person Event:

Residents can chose to attend the meeting in-person, which will be held in the North Star Ballroom of the UMN St. Paul Student Center.

In-person event only. CTC will not live-stream nor record the meeting for later viewing.

Location

North Star Ballroom - St. Paul Student Center
University of Minnesota - St. Paul Campus | 2017 Buford Ave, St Paul, MN 55108

View St. Paul Student Center Info + Map
Interactive Campus Map: Explore campus information such as transportation options, public safety features, lactation spaces, all-gender restrooms, and more!

Agenda

Management report
To consider and vote upon the removal of Directors*
To vote for the election of candidates for vacancies on the Board of Directors.

*Item #2 Update: All current members of the Board of Directors have tendered resignations effective 5:00 pm CST on Wednesday, November 15, 2023. Therefore, no vote will be taken on Item #2 as noticed by CTC in its Notice of Special Meeting, dated Friday, October 27, 2023.

Board of Directors Election - 2023 Election

Who Can Vote

Eligibility

Membership: Only current CTC residents with an active co-op membership are eligible to cast their votes.
Membership is open to all resident households. To become a member, submit your application, pay the current membership fee set by the Board, and ensure your status is recorded in our membership records. Learn more + become a member.
One Vote Per Household: Each household receives one ballot. If multiple adults reside within a CTC unit, the members together shall have only one vote. Designate one adult to complete and submit the ballot, representing the collective voice of the household. No household may submit more than one ballot.
Active Membership Cut-off: Only members as of October 26, 2023, at 5:00 pm (CST) are eligible to vote. No ballots for non-members or those joining after this date.

Decide Who to Vote For

Board Candidates

This year, eleven (11) candidates are running for nine (9) open seats on the board.

Qualifications

All candidates are CTC residents and co-op members, reviewed by the Nominating Committee and satisfying the eligibility requirements set out in the CTC Bylaws.

Meet the Candidates

View the candidate profiles here, listing who you can vote for and offering details on each candidate's experience and goals.

Voting Details

While voting is not mandatory, it is your right as a co-op member and an essential part of our democratic control.
You can vote for up to nine candidates, with at least one marked on the ballot for your vote to be counted.
Please note that no write-in candidates are allowed, ensuring adherence to our established nomination procedures and eligibility requirements.

How, Where, and When to Vote:

Voting at the Special Meeting:

When: Special Meeting begins at 6:00 pm.
Check-in/Ballot: Receive your household’s ballot starting at 5:30 pm.
The event will include a short introduction and report from CTC Management and Nominating Committee, followed by voting. If you can't stay for the entire meeting, you can submit your vote at any point during the event.
Deadline: Ballots must be submitted by 7:30 pm for the vote to be counted.

Absentee Voting or Voting by Mail:

Request an Absentee Ballot: Contact elections@umnctc.org to request a mail ballot.
Deadline: Mail ballots must be returned to CTC by mail or by hand to the CTC Office no later than 5:00 p.m. CST on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, or hand-delivered by the Member to CTC at the Special Meeting for the vote to be counted.

Board Election Process

General Election + Term of Office

Each year, co-op households participate in the general election to elect Board members. Board members serve two-year terms, with approximately half being elected in alternating years (four members elected in odd years and five in even years). The elected nominees will begin their term immediately following the Special Meeting until the subsequent election in the next odd or even year.

Current Board Status

As no Directors will be actively serving at the start of the Special Meeting,* all nine seats are open to be filled at the election, presenting a unique opportunity for new voices and ideas to shape our cooperative's trajectory.

Board Resolutions on Election Procedures

The Board of Directors convened a Special Board Meeting on Saturday, November 11, to consider and approve a set of resolutions which finalized the ballot and laid out the details of the election procedures. The full set of resolutions can be viewed here and are also posted on CTC’s website.

Amendments: Amendments to Resolution on Special Election Procedures
Original Resolutions: Board Resolutions on Special Election Procedures

Community Voices

We Love Hearing from You - Always!

Beyond the meeting, our co-op welcomes Community Voices year-round! CTC's Management and Board review all submissions for discussion and evaluation at the upcoming monthly board meeting. So don't hold back: your ideas and feedback contribute to the better representation of the community and, in turn, enriches the co-op for present and future generations! More on Community Voices.