This petition serves to call a special membership meeting for the Hunger Mountain Co-op. A petition signed by at least 150 Hunger Mountain Co-op Members is needed for the council to consider it. The more signatures the better, as a statement of no confidence in the Co-op management and council.

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At the meeting two motions (at least) will be discussed:

1: Termination of Kari Bradely, General Manager; Kevin O'donnell, Operations Manager; Jay Wisner, HR manager; Elly Wood, Assistant HR Manager

 2: To what extent was the Council complicit/knowledgable/advising said employees on the matter of repeated sexual harassment at the Co-op. If evidence shows complicity, then a motion to dissolve the Co-op Council will be put forth, with a new election scheduled.

I have been informed by the Co-op Council President that neither are up to the membership to decide, but we CAN come together to voice a vote of no confidence and to loudly tell the council that these employees and the council themselves MUST be held accountable. 

If there are other issues regarding employment/employees, please include them in notes attached to this petition so they can be lodged with the petition when presented to the Hunger Mountain Co-op Council.

The bylaws state:

Section 6.2 – Special Meetings The Council shall convene a Special Meeting of the Members of the Co-op following either a motion carried by a majority of Council members or upon receiving a request for a Special Meeting via a petition signed by five percent of the Membership or 150 Members, whichever is fewer. Said petition shall state the specific business to be brought before the Members. The Council shall review petitions for clarity and legality before proceeding. The Special Meeting shall consider only matters warned in the notice of that meeting, to be held within Washington County, Vermont, at a time and place designated by the Council. The Meeting shall be held within 45 days of the Council meeting at which the request is presented.

Section 6.3 – Meeting Rules Section 6.3 (a) - Notice of the date, time, place, and purpose of the Meeting shall be given by written or electronic communication to all Members at least 14 days prior to the meeting. This information shall also be posted in a prominent public place in the Co-op's building or buildings, as well as on applicable electronic applications.

Section 6.3 (b) - Each Member of the Co-op is entitled to one vote.

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This is what I initially wrote to the Co-op Council President Eva Schectman on July 31, 2023:

On learning that the current sexual harassment allegations and federal indictment were not a one off/first time occurrence, and hearing other details that are very disturbing, I now feel compelled to voice my opinion as a Co-op member, a woman and a mother in our small community. I asked to speak with Kari today at the store, and while he listened and agreed that this was a terrible situation, he took zero responsibility for the fact that a known to admin perpetrator was put in a position of authority and had direct supervision of more young women, AFTER, several accusations had already been leveled. 

I have heard: an underage employee, a 16 year old girl who came forward with allegations, was told by the head of HR not to bring their parent to the meeting to discuss her allegations.  
I have heard: A year or so ago a teen was chastised for dressing like a teenager, and then forced to wear a name tag even though she and others on the co-op team explained that men were making lewd comments and advances and having her name on her chest would put her in danger. 
It has been reported:
"One of the complainants was 22 years old, three were 17, another was 16 and the sixth complaint was from a mother of one of the 17-year-olds concerned about her child working near [him]."

The article goes on to say that "four of the complainants quit after their claims were reportedly determined to be unfounded by the company." (This was according to the detective assigned to the case.)

Kari said the law was followed. But why, after one allegation, was this employee allowed to remain in a position where he was near and in a position of power over young women and girls? Why did he remain after the 2nd allegation? Why after the 3rd? Why after the 4th, why after the 5? I am disgusted. physically and emotionally disgusted with the co-op administration and the co-op board.
I am ashamed of the Co-op.

I am calling for a no confidence vote or something equivalent, and the immediate firing of Kari, Kevin, Jay and Elly. I am making a motion (if that is the procedure...there is NOTHING online on the coop website that i could find, outlining how a member can bring up an egregious grievance for a vote.) that those four employees be terminated and that the board disband and ALL council members be required to campaign for membership votes to form a new council that will hire managerial and administrative employees that are not so cavalier about the health and safety of those they supervise and members of the co-op community. Those that are/were in positions of responsibility need to be held entirely accountable.