How does Stocksy’s resolution process work?

Stocksy uses an innovative resolution process to host online member submissions, voting, and discussion within the member-only portal on the site.

This partially automated resolution system allows members to engage with Stocksy United’s democratic process in real-time, regardless of physical location or timezone.

Stocksy’s resolution process is governed by our Co-op Rules, which in turn, are governed by the BC Cooperative Association Act. Excerpt from Stocksy’s Rules below:

4.1 Resolutions

a. Resolutions may be initiated by a member, group of members, or Stocksy headquarters at any time, in a form provided by Stocksy.

b. Ideas for discussion, site suggestions, or other submissions that are not in finalized resolution form will need to be finessed and expanded, likely with the assistance of HQ or other members. Only fully finalized resolutions will proceed to a final vote.

c. Resolutions will be voted on electronically.

d. Resolutions that receive a majority vote will be assessed by Stocksy headquarters, who will determine prioritization and method of implementation to best serve members.

The Process

Stocksy’s resolution process is unique in many ways:

1. The process is designed to function in real-time, fulfilling the intentions of member meetings within our platform.
2. The system is automated to send member communications and update our forum threads as a means to provide multiple opportunities for member engagement.
3. The board reviews member approved Ideas for Discussion utilizing a report that is put together by our governance team in consultation with our leadership team and includes vote results, links to forum conversations and key arguments, relevant data, and other information.
4. The board then votes on whether the Idea advances to a formal Resolution vote, is implemented by the co-op without a vote, or does not advance.

Ideas versus Resolutions

Ideas for Discussion ("Idea") are community proposals (or pre-resolutions) that offer all Stocksy members the opportunity to put their ideas in front of the membership to gauge support and further questions. Ideas can become Resolutions if the community votes “yes” to advance the Idea, and the Board of Directors reviews and advances the Idea to a formal Resolution.

A Resolution is a formal decision or policy that is typically proposed by either the board or Stocksy’s leadership team on behalf of the co-op, or which has been developed from an Idea for Discussion and is open to voting by all members of the cooperative. Resolutions that meet the required threshold to pass will be implemented by the co-op.

How it works

At any time, members can begin the resolution process by submitting an Idea for Discussion ("Idea") for consideration by the membership. 

Once an Idea is submitted, members will be automatically notified via email and the Idea is posted to the member forums. Members are then directed to vote for one of three options: 

• "yes" to advance the idea to Stocksy's board for review

• "no" to decline the idea and end the process

• "abstain" to neither vote for or against the Idea

Once quorum is reached on this first level (10% of Class C members), a reminder email and forum post is sent notifying members that the voting threshold has been reached and voting remains open for 7 more days. 

Once voting closes, the results are automatically posted and the membership is notified of the outcome. Ideas that received a "yes" vote majority advance to Stocksy's board for review at their next scheduled quarterly board meeting. The Board then votes whether to "approve," "decline," or submit a formal Resolution back to the membership for official voting.

Each stage or status change within the resolution process triggers an automated member email and forum post to keep members informed on a Resolution's status in the process.

Approved Resolutions are posted in the forums, sent to members via email, and added to the product roadmap.