Run for the Board
Owners get to vote and run for the Board of Directors! Elections for Board of Directors are coming up soon, and if you are an owner at the Durham Co-op Market, we invite you to take part in helping shape what the Co- op cares about and how those goals are accomplished.
Three (3) consumer-owner seats are open, and elections will occur leading up to and during the week of this year’s Annual Meeting, Sunday, November 1st, 2020.
WHY RUN?
We are stronger together! The Co-op wouldn’t be here without its owners and the members who choose to serve on our board in order to help us achieve our goals. The Co-op needs your perspective, input, and accountability to thrive. The Co-op exists to serve and support Durham, and your participation helps guide our future and influence. You help us live our values!
Serving on the board is also a great way to build leadership and strategic decision-making skills as well as gain training on cooperative principles and governance as part of a growth-focused, community-minded organization. As a board member, you take part in the growth of Durham’s sustainable, local food system. Plus you enjoy a 15% discount on all purchases at the Co-op.
Co-ops are unique within the food system, and Durham Co-op Market is unique among Co-ops! Join us in radically inclusive, groundbreaking work within the Durham community.
REQUIREMENTS
We are looking for active Co-op members who are committed to Durham to represent our owners. We want our board to be built by people who are passionate about sustainable food and willing to learn about business, financials, and cooperative grocery models. Candidates need to be able to make a 3-year commitment to the board, willing to sign a conflict of interest disclosure form, and attend at least one board meeting in order to run (view board meeting schedule HERE or contact the board at annualmeeting@durham.coop). Board responsibilities include attendance at regularly scheduled board meetings (the 2nd Wednesday of every month), service on committees as needed, and participation in occasional off-site retreats and store events. Average monthly time commitment ranges from 3 to 8 hours.
TIMELINE
Elections for new board members happen every year. The board will accept applications from interested candidates until Sunday, October 4th, 2020.
Owners will be notified when voting begins.
HOW TO APPLY
If you are interested in serving on the board, please complete the steps below. If you have questions or would like to talk to a board member prior to applying, please feel free to reach out at annualmeeting@durham.coop.
1. Submit a Candidate Statement
Email your full name and owner number, along with responses to the questions below to annualmeeting@durham.coop by Sunday, October 4th, 2020. Your response should be written in paragraph form, will be published as your Candidate Statement on the election ballot, and is your opportunity to share your story with the ownership. Please limit your response to 500 words max.
· Why do you want to serve on the Durham Co-op Market Board of Directors?
· What skills, experience or training do you bring to the Board?
· What experience do you have with cooperatives, grocery stores, financing, construction or business operations?
· What else would you like the Co-op members to know about you?
2. Meet With the Board
Learn more about serving on the board by attending a meeting or meeting with a board member. Select from the opportunities below prior to the Annual Owner Meeting on Sunday, November 1st.
· Attend a board meeting. All meetings take place from 7-9pm. Due to COVID-19, all board meetings are held online via Zoom. Please contact the board to obtain meeting details. Upcoming board meetings are scheduled for: Wednesday, September 9th, and Wednesday, October 14th.
· Meet with a board member in person or over Zoom. Contact annualmeeting@durham.coop to arrange a meeting with a current member.
3. Attend the Annual Owner Meeting on Sunday, November 1st
Join us as we celebrate our successes from this past year and reflect on ways we can continue to improve. You will have a chance to introduce yourself to the Durham Co-op community, share about your interest in running for the board, and answer questions. Further details will be available soon.
All applications and questions should be submitted to annualmeeting@durham.coop. The application deadline is October 4th, 2020. Voting will take place from Sunday, October 18th to Wednesday, November 4th.
4. If you would like to learn more about what it’s like to serve on the board, we encourage you to optionally attend a new board member training (for free):
So You Want to Serve on the Co-op’s Board of Directors! (July 18th, August 15th)
Virtual CBL 101 – Foundations for Board Governance (July 25th, September 12th). Contact a board member for more information at annualmeeting@durham.coop.
When voting opens, owners will be notified with instructions on how to submit vote.
ABOUT THE BOARD
The Co-op is governed by the board, and everyone on the board is a community member or staff member and a Co-op owner. Anyone who is an owner can run for the board, and every owner gets to vote for board members each year. The Board of Directors consists of seven (7) consumer-owners and two (2) worker-owners. Board members are committed to representing more than 5000 Co-op consumer- and worker-owners, and voicing the values and goals of Co-op members.
The main responsibilities of the board involve setting the goals and values of the Co-op (read about our values HERE), as well as hiring, evaluating, and holding the General Manager accountable for the overall success of the Co-op. Our Co-op is built by Durham and dedicated to serving Durham. The Board exists so the Durham Co-op Market can achieve the most for its owners and the Durham community!
THANK YOU
You help make a positive impact on your community and at the Co-op!