Dairygold members have today (Wednesday, December 4), voted to adopt a number of rule amendments as part of a periodic review of the society’s rulebook.
Members have voted by “significant majority” to adopt a number of rule amendments proposed by the society at a Special General Meeting (SGM) in the Mallow GAA Sports Complex, Co. Cork today.
Dairygold carries out periodic reviews of the society’s rulebook to ensure that it reflects “best practice” in corporate governance. It has conducted three extensive reviews over the last 12 years.
In April 2024, the board initiated another rules review process and sought submissions from members on any rules-related matters they believed should be considered as part of the rules review process.
Dairygold rulebook
Following the vote by members today, Dairygold said its rules have been updated to include more inclusive and gender-neutral language.
Rule amendments introduced will promote a “more diverse, equitable and inclusive” membership, both on the share register and in the governance and representative structures of the society.
Designated Regional Committee seats have been introduced to encourage categories of members that are currently “under represented” in the society’s governance (such as females and young male and female farmers) to put themselves forward to serve on the Dairygold representative structure.
Other rule amendments approved today include changes to casual vacancy term provisions, the powers of the board in relation to board policies, the Seasonal Milk Scheme Committee, and milk supply provisions.
The rulebook has also been updated to take account of “minor legislative developments to remove certain redundant legacy provisions” to provide for other general updates, and to make housekeeping and typographical changes that the Dairygold board believes are in the “best interests of the society and its members”.
“As an ambitious and growing society, we must ensure that our rulebook is reflective of our values and our diverse membership and continue to adopt best corporate governance practice.
“We also want to have a vibrant and proactive representative structure that is relevant to our membership into the future,” Dairygold chair, Seán O’Brien said speaking about the approved rule changes.
“We hope that these changes will help encourage more member participation in the society, whether that’s through our representative structure or through the many other programmes and initiatives we have available to our members,” O’Brien said.