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Your Coop Wants You: Board of Directors seeks four new membersThe Board is gearing up for a big year. Although the staff has worked magic again in selling an incredible amount of good food out of a small space, we know that this is the year we will find that perfect, big new location we need. With that exciting task in mind, we are replenishing our Board and would welcome a diverse group of candidates with particular interests in planning, finance, small businesses, grant writing, nutrition, working with volunteers and green building design— and above all a strong commitment to our cooperative. As a Board we use a consensus process and are committed to working together; to being open in our communications between ourselves and the membership; to staying aware of the diverse value systems of people who join, work in, or shop at the Coop; to being cooperative in planning and problem solving; and to utilizing all of our skills and actively engaging the skills of members. Please look over the process as described by Lynne below. If you don’t step forward, don’t be surprised if we seek you out. You are the Coop. * 1.Check your credentials. To run, you must be an active working member and up-to-date in your share payments. * 2.Consider the commitment. Board members attend monthly Wednesday- night Board meetings. In addition they attend committee meetings, special events, problemsolving sessions, trainings, etc. They communicate via email, phone, and in person. A term length is three years. There is one partial term for one year. * 3.Consider the commitment again. This is a part-time job, with responsibilities. Expect to spend over 20 hours per month for three years. We’re not trying to scare you, this job has many rewards; but it takes up space in your mind and your life. If you’re game, then… * 4.Fill out the candidate information form you ’ll find at the Service Desk at the Coop. This is your first written presentation, which will be photocopied and circulated, so do your best.5. Write a 100-word statement summarizing your candidate information form and submit it via email (strongly preferred! – ED.) or disk to Judy Trupin, Coop Scoop editor, by March 1 (fordtrupin@msn.com ). Your blurb will be published in the April issue of the Coop Scoop if received in time.6. Mark your calendar for a few important dates: • Meet the Candidates night: Wednesday, April 13 at the Coop. You’ll sit with other candidates and answer questions from members in an informal setting.• Candidate Orientation: TBD. You’ll meet current Board members, discuss the trainings they’ve had, learn their strengths and expertise, and they yours.• * Annual Membership Meeting Election on Sunday, April 17 at 6:00 p.m. — Sage Albany Campus Center, Room 224 (off Academy Road, near New Scotland Ave.). There, you’ll sit on a dais with other candidates, and answer questions from a large group of active members in a rotating round-robin style.*7. If you haven ’t ever attended a Board meeting, try to. It’s a great way to see how it all works. Next two: Wednesdays, February 23 and March 23, at 6:15 p.m. at Channing Hall entrance of FUUSA (Unitarian Church), 405 Washington Avenue, in Albany. (Ring the bell at the upper left to gain entrance.)* These are mandatory parts of the process. Attendance is optional at the other events. Nominations will be accepted as late as from the floor at the election — but if you want people to vote for you, they have to know who you are and what you’re thinking! |
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