One Member's Stand:
Appeal for Directors

by Craig Duncan

I would like to make an appeal, on behalf of HWFC's mission and the organization, to any long-time, committed members who have had reason to become disenchanted with HWFC over the years, specifically with the governance process and even more specifically with the tone and environment associated with that process, seriously to consider running for and (if elected) serving on the Board of Directors. Director elections will be taking place at the Annual Membership meeting in April. There are several seats up for re-election. In addition, there are some people currently serving on the Board (not up for re-election) who are unable, due to time and life commitments, truly to give the time and attention necessary to their service as a Board member: the time and attention required to communicate, read, absorb, understand, communicate still more, and to do work that strengthens the Coop; work that seeks to reconcile a diversity and divergence of interests and opinions through finding ways not just for their peaceful, harmonious and healthy coexistence (which would be a huge accomplishment), but - taking it even further, through an integration of these different views and perspectives - seeking to create a broader and deeper understanding among each other.

Potentially, there is an even greater need for long-time, dedicated, competent members (who have the time and energy to commit) to step forward and volunteer their services, than might seem to be the case. Several current (over-committed) "part timers" on the Board probably are not considering stepping down, first and foremost because they feel that it is better that there be someone there, at least supporting the work that is being done, contributing what they can, than having no one there at all. There must be a diversity of opinion and perspective for any kind of governance to function well.

There are staff and there are members who can do nitty gritty work, when the direction and tasking are clear. And there is movement in the Coop toward a more fruitful harvesting of all this member and staff time and energy - potentially available for investment in a good cause - but that will (of course) dry up in the face of drudgery, bureaucracy, institutional rigidity, closed-mindedness, etc. Serving on the Board requires some nitty gritty-type work; but, much more importantly, it requires a sense of direction and a willingness to take the time to think and to share ones thoughts with others - in an active and sincere manner, so that the kind of efforts that are now underway can be more effectively leveraged, to gain greater momentum & perhaps even critical mass. "Give me a lever," Archimedes said. Competent Board members - with vision and a willingness to share and discuss their ideas open-mindedly in many ways - function as the lever.

The reason I make this appeal is because I know there are many intelligent, competent, diligent members who have come to a point over time, via a series of disillusioning experiences with HWFC governance and meeting processes, where they have long since ceased to consider seriously the possibility that they might consciously and deliberately choose to heighten their level of involvement in this particular manner: by serving on the Board. To those who feel this way, it probably feels too much like just asking to have a bad experience.

So the principle reason I make this appeal is to say that, more so than at any time that I can think of over the last 15+ years that I've been a member, there exists a will on the Board to focus on the issues, truly to accomplish some of what I've mentioned above, and to keep the egos out of it. There also exists more of a unified vision (although not completely) of what it is we're trying to accomplish - and be - as a coop with a mission. And so I am predicting that anyone who takes the risk of putting themselves out there to give of themselves, and engage and contribute to this process, will be pleasantly surprised to find that, at least at this point in time, a different (and higher) ethos prevails on the Board.

I will add two other things. First, I am not running for re-election. And secondly, while there is much that is good going on, the simple numerical lack of people (the Board consists of nine directors) with the ability and temperament to promote and further HWFC's mission (I'm saying this with respect to those who have so far been willing to put themselves forward) means that, to a certain degree, there also exists a (partial) vacuum - and nature abhors a vacuum. Nature also seems to abhor smooth, harmonious functioning, unless it comes about by deliberate, conscious intention and the will to work for it. So both the need and the opportunity are there, and I urge those who have the ability to help further HWFC's mission to step forward and make the most of this opportunity.

One Member's Stand is a forum for our members' concerns. We welcome your submission.

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