Rule 14.4 Frequency of general meetings sets out how many general meetings must be held in your co-op each year. Generally co-op Rules require the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and the Semi-Annual General Meeting (SAGM).

Other than the required meetings, the Directors may call a special general meeting when they think fit. For example if your Rules require two general meetings per year and your board called a third meeting, that meeting would be a special general meeting.

Some examples of why a co-op board might call a special general meeting include:

• to approve policies
• to approve the Asset Management Plan
• to change the co-op’s Rules
• to hold a by-election to fill a board vacancy
• to consider appeal of termination of membership
• to remove a director(s)
• to provide an update on co-op projects or to provide board clarification on issues or concerns (note also use of Information Meetings for this purpose)
• to seek member input on co-op initiatives (note also potential use of Town Hall Meetings for this purpose)

Members can also require the board to call a special general meeting through a meeting requisition if enough members make the request in writing – see Rule 14.5 and the specific requirements set out in the Cooperative Association Act. Members may requisition meetings to receive board clarification on co-op issues or to remove a director(s) (when the board has already refused to call a meeting at their request).

You can download a PDF file of this Special General Meeting overview here.