This winter I will be stepping away from the Co-op Board as my term expires. It will be my third term as a board member in Cook County after two terms in Duluth. It is my second time serving as President after serving as Vice President and Treasurer. Over the years I’ve worked with 4 general managers, two that I’ve helped to hire. I’ve helped to usher in two store expansions. I’ve worked with wonderful fellow board members and owners. At times I’ve been challenged by former board members and challenged by owners. I’ve helped to recruit at least a half dozen new board members. And honestly, I’m pretty darned pleased and proud of the results.
But of all the work I’ve done as a board member, I am most proud of the role I played in helping to craft our Ends policies, as these will help guide general managers and boards well into the future. It helps me step away with ease knowing that, in the broadest sense, the course is already plotted. But I also step away with ease knowing that we have an amazing and energetically engaged general manager, who brings so much insight and experience to running a successful cooperative grocery store – and he’s only improving with time. I step away with ease knowing that we have a committed group currently serving on the board who continue to grow and learn. We have fabulous candidates seeking to join the board, and an untapped pool of future candidates among our current owners (hey—I’m talking to you!)
If you’ve traveled to other co-ops you know how great it feels to be in our store. Those are the Ends playing out in real life. It’s the friendliest, hardest working staff, along with the gifted and hardworking general manager. The committed and hardworking board, all of whom draw from the amazing people of Cook County who live here or move here to be part of this community. If you find yourself wanting to deepen your relationship with this community, with this co-op, then step up and join the board, or apply for a position, or even just commit to doing more of your shopping here. There are many ways we keep the co-op strong. There are many ways you can do your part.
I am so grateful for this co-op, so grateful to have been part of its growth and success, and so grateful that there are others who feel equally passionate about ensuring the future success of our store.