Are Best Western members allowed to use proxy voting?
Best_Western Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- (A) Proxy and cumulative voting by Members is expressly prohibited.
- (B) No Member or Members may create a voting trust conferring on one or more trustees the right to vote or otherwise act for the Member or Members.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 108–413)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Best Western's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, proxy voting by members is expressly prohibited. Additionally, members are not allowed to create voting trusts that would confer voting rights to trustees. This means that each Best Western member must vote individually and cannot assign their vote to another person or entity.
This policy ensures that each member's vote reflects their own direct decision, preventing any single individual or group from accumulating excessive voting power through proxies or trusts. This promotes a more democratic and representative decision-making process within the Best Western organization. The requirement for direct participation in voting underscores the cooperative nature of Best Western, where each member has a direct say in the organization's governance.
For a prospective Best Western franchisee, this means they must be prepared to actively participate in the voting processes themselves. They cannot rely on others to represent their interests through proxy votes or voting trusts. This active participation is essential for influencing the direction and policies of the Best Western brand and ensuring that their voice is heard within the membership.