by Amanda Weberg – Board Vice President
Candidacy applications are due Sept 1
Have you thought about being on the Co-op Board? Do you have zero idea what it means to be on a co-op board? Either way, we hope you’ll read on.
Your Co-op Board of Directors are elected in October at the annual (party) meeting. Directors serve a 3-year term starting the following January.
If you are interested in learning more please reach out to any of our current board members or email us collectively.
Our meetings are open to the public and happen on the 4th Tuesday of each month starting at 5:15p in the Co-op break room. Please join us if you are considering applying for the board.
Candidacy applications are due Sept 1. Candidates are announced shortly thereafter via email and a ballot sent USPS.
We start each meeting by reciting the Ends Policy and these also guide both the Board and Co-op operations:
Ends Policy
As a result of all that the Cook County Whole Foods Co-op does, we will be:
1. A successful grocery rooted in the Cooperative Principles;
2. A trusted source for affordable, healthy, local, and sustainable products and services for
all;
3. A leader in environmentally sustainable practices;
4. A source of employment that provides meaningful work and fair compensation;
5. A welcoming and friendly gathering place where the community has a sense of
belonging.
Each decision goes through the ends policy to guarantee we are meeting our shared goals.
The Board of Directors also follows the 10 Principles of Policy Governance and the 7 Cooperative Principles.
10 Principles of Policy Governance
1. Trust in Trusteeship – we represent all the diverse owner members of the co-op.
2. The board speaks with one voice or none at all.
3. Board decisions are mostly policy decisions. (not management decisions)
4. Board formulates policy by the broadest values before progressing to narrow ones.
5. Define and delegate, not react and ratify.
6. Ends determination is the pivotal duty of governance.
7. The board’s best control is to limit, not prescribe. Meaning the board sets parameters, not instructions.
8. A board must explicitly state it’s job duties and evaluate it’s performance.
9. The board will form a bond with management that is empowering and safe.
10. Performance of the General Manager will be monitored rigorously, but only against policy criteria monitored monthly.
7 Cooperative Principles
1. Voluntary and open membership
2. Democratic member control
3. Member economic participation
4. Autonomy and independence
5. Education, training, and information
6. Cooperation among cooperatives
7. Concern for the community