Board Elections
BOARD ELECTIONS 2023
Owners get to vote and run for the board! Nominations for our board of directors open Sunday, August 27th, 2023, and if you are an owner at the Co-op, we invite you to apply for one of three (3) seats open this year. By serving on the board, you take part in helping shape what the Co-op cares about and how those goals are accomplished.
REQUIREMENTS
We are looking for active Co-op members who are committed to Durham to represent our owners and help guide our future and influence. 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.
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 a high-resolution headshot and responses to the questions below to annualmeeting@durham.coop by Sunday, October 8th, 2023. Your response should be written in paragraph form, will be published as your candidate statement, 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 and meeting with board members prior to the Annual Owner Meeting on Sunday, November 5th. Please contact the board at annualmeeting@durham.coop for further details and to schedule meetings.
· Attend a Board Meeting. All meetings take place online via Zoom on the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 7-9pm.
· Meet with two Board Members in person or over Zoom.
3. Attend the Annual Owner Meeting on Sunday, November 5th, 2023.
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.
4. Attend Virtual CBL 101 – Foundations for Directors
Learn more about what it’s like to serve on the board by attending this free new board member training:
Register here: Virtual CBL 101 – Foundations for Directors (October 21st)
All applications and questions should be submitted to annualmeeting@durham.coop. The application deadline is October 8th, 2023. Please reach out with any questions.
VOTE
When voting opens, owners will be notified with instructions on how to submit their vote.
MORE INFO
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 consumer-owners and worker-owners. Board members are committed to representing nearly 7000 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!
ANNUAL MEETING
Save the date! This year’s Annual Meeting is Sunday, November 5th, 2023.
We wouldn’t be here without our owners, and the Annual Meeting is a chance for us to celebrate the Co-op and say thank you for your support!
Learn more HERE.
BECOME AN OWNER
If you are not an owner, we’d love for you to learn more about our community-owned grocery store, why it’s important, and how you can participate.
Learn more HERE.
THANK YOU
You help make a positive impact on your community and at the Co-op!