Democracy is at the heart of the co-op’s organizational structure and values. Serve your community and lead your co-op in shaping our collective future.
CANDIDATE DECLARATIONS ARE DUE
Tue, Sep 1, 2026
The Cook County Co-op’s board of directors has three seats open for 2027.
The board determines the long-range vision for the co-op, provides financial oversight, and sets policies to guide the General Manager in achieving our strategic priorities.
Scroll down for:
– qualifications
– job description
Documents (.pdf)
– Board Policy Governance
– Board Candidacy Declaration
Our declaration link is a Google Form. If you’d like a paper version or PDF, please contact us via the website or call 218-387-2503. Don’t hesitate to contact any current director if you have questions.
Declare:
– Complete the candidacy declaration (Google Form)
– Submit your statement (why you would be a good fit) – by email, mail, in-person at the Co-op
– mail to: Cook County Co-op, Attn: Board PO Box 813, Grand Marais, MN 55604
Co-op Board Director qualifications
Candidates must be owners in good standing and commit to a 3-year term of service.
– Being an owner of the Co-op in good standing
– Not currently employed by the Co-op or any competing grocer
– Strong communication skills, strategic thinking, and leadership experience
– Experience making decisions in a group setting
– Ability to undertake fiduciary responsibility on behalf of the cooperative and its owners
– Commitment to attendance requirements and policy governance
Why should you run for our board?
– Serve the Co-op owners and a vibrant community hub
– Support food equity, sustainability, and living wages for staff
– Work with a dedicated group of Co-op owners
– Excellent professional experience
What does the board do?
– Works together on the Co-op’s strategic vision
– Provides Co-op oversight to fulfill our mission and meet our ends
– Bolsters owner and community engagement
– Acts as a thought partner for the General Manager
– Focuses on high level concerns while the staff focuses on operations
What is the timeline?
– Tue, Sep 1, 2026: declarations + statements are due
– Oct 1 – 20, 2026: voting by owners takes place from approximately (by mail, email, or in-person ballots)
– Wed, Oct 21 // 5-7pm: annual meeting takes place and election results are announced
– Jan 1, 2027: 3-year terms begin
Co-op Board Director Job Description
Under Policy Governance, the Board’s job description comes from the belief that a governing board exists on behalf of the owners who legally own the organization.
The Board is accountable to the cooperative’s owners. To be accountable the Board makes sure that the organization achieves what it should while avoiding what it should not. Therefore, the Board defines, delegates, and monitors but does not “carry out” the Co-op’s work. Specifically the Board has five responsibilities:
– Connect with the owners; reflect their values and visions in the decision-making process.
– Act as trustee on behalf of the owners by monitoring the Co-op’s financial status. Give regular reports on the status of the Co-op to the owners.
– Assure that the Co-op follows its bylaws, policies and appropriate regulations.
– Enact, monitor, and review written policies to guide the Co-op by debating, deciding and declaring the Board’s values.
– Ensure sound management occurs by monitoring compliance with policies. The Board is responsible for hiring and supervising the Co-op’s General Manager. This involves reviewing the GM’s reports, monitoring key indicators and evaluating the GM’s performance.
The Board dreams the future. Directors set long-range goals and plan for the Co-op’s future by discussing strategic planning, approving yearly and long-range plans, and setting performance goals.
Responsibilities
– Devote the time needed to fulfill the responsibilities of the position.
– Attend all regular and special Board meetings, as well as all committee meetings as assigned.
– Develop strong relationships with fellow Directors.
– Stay informed of larger Co-op trends by attending training sessions, conferences and pursuing educational opportunities.
– Consider the business of the Co-op and its owners to be confidential.
– Always act in the owners’ best interests.
Desirable Characteristics
– Ability, eagerness and enthusiasm for working with the values, vision and the long-term goals of the Co-op.
– Ability to focus on the purpose and results of activities more than solutions and actions.
– Commitment to the ownership and to the Co-op’s Mission Statement and Ends.
– Propensity to think in terms of systems and contexts.
– Willingness to participate assertively in deliberation, communicate fully and to collaborate with colleagues on the Board.
Connecting with Owners
– The Board sponsors various events to get direct feedback from owners.
– Directors host the Annual Meeting, spend time in the store and attend other events that are planned for the purpose of connecting with owners.
– Directors also take turns submitting articles for the Co-op email newsletter.
Term & Time Commitment
The Board of Directors consists of seven Co-op owners; each serves a three-year term; three consecutive terms is the limit.
Initially a block of time is necessary for learning about Policy Governance and our Co-op’s bylaws. There are also two introductory training sessions (one Board training, the other provided by our consulting firm, Columinate).
Meetings are monthly – generally for 1.5 – 2 hours and held on the 4th Tuesday of the month.
There is pre- and post-meeting preparation, such as reading materials or having email discussions on important board topics.
There is a required annual 1-2 day retreat (held locally).
Additional training is encouraged at various times throughout the year – most often in the Twin Cities (fees and travel expenses paid).
Attendance at the Consumer Cooperative Management Association’s annual meeting is encouraged (CCMA is a national meeting for co-op managers, staff and board members; fees and travel expenses paid).
Directors average 8-10 hours per month on BOD work (including meetings). We recognize that the ability to commit to volunteer time is a factor for our Directors, and we do everything possible to make it manageable. However, serving the Board is a big responsibility and we ask Directors to take the matter seriously.
Election
Per our by-laws the election is finalized at the Annual Meeting each fall. Owners have an opportunity to mail in ballots or drop them off at the store prior to the meeting.