2013 CGN Board Elections
Hello Co-op Grocer Network members,
CGN continues to grow as an important resource in our food co-op community. Our upcoming board of director elections are now open and we are asking CGN Account Managers to review the candidates and vote online by Thursday June 6, 12:00 PM, or cast paper ballots at the Annual Meeting at CCMA in Austin on the same day at 5:45. Only CGN Account Managers or delegate at meeting are eligible to cast votes. If online vote has already been cast, it will take precedence over paper ballot submission.
We have four fine candidates running for three seats this year.
Click here to go to the ballot or on menu item to the right.
Marc BrownGold
General Manager, Swarthmore Co-op
1. What is of particular interest to you in CGN and its activities?
- Information sharing
- Advancement of the co-op movement
- Start-up assistance
- Advancement of food policy and increasing awareness of our broken food system
2. Why are you interested in serving on the CGN board of directors?
To be able to take a leadership role in advancing CGN policies whether they are my own or those of
the organization. Participation as part of a team to help steward CGN's mission statement and
achieve its goals. To participate fully in whatever role the board would see where I may be a good fit.
3. Other comments
I would be very interested in participating in a discussion as to where my particular areas of expertise could help the board.
Annie Hoy
Outreach/Communications Manager, Ashland Co-op
1. What is of particular interest to you in CGN and its activities?
I think CGN provides the critical "glue" that sticks us all together throughout the year. I believe that the merge between CGIN and Cooperative Grocer is a brilliant way to efficiently serve cooperators in the food sector. I have participated in the MandM and CGIN list serves where I get back more than I give. I bet everybody says that. I am interested in exploring all the ways that CGN can reach out to cooperators in a more meaningful way to engage our economic sector to meet the goals of the UN's
Cooperative Decade.
2. Why are you interested in serving on the CGN board of directors?
My first CGN board meeting was in Boston and right there and then I decided that one day I would be on that board. I think the time is right for me to throw my hat in the ring.
I am excited to learn more about PG and how the CGN board can put it effectively into action. I am a little skeptical and I also have an open mind. Should be an interesting process to switch over.
CGN board members are the visionary leaders of our movement. I would like to give back to those
who have been so helpful to food co-ops and our current growth spurt. I have lots of board
experience on a variety of boards so I know how boards "should" work. Board service is a calling for me and I take the service aspect seriously.
3. Other comments
Y'all always seem to be having fun, even if the subject matter is heavy. You are the thought leaders of our industry and I aspire to be one of you.
Eric Struve
Director of IT, Outpost Natural Foods, Milwaukee, WI
1. What is of particular interest to you in CGN and its activities?
Throughout my career at Outpost, I have worked in a variety of collaborative spheres in the co-op world, both physical (CCMA, NCGA events) and online (CGN groups, techhub.coop, and others). I'm always struck by the energy and excitement that are created when cooperators can share ideas. The sixth cooperative principle speaks to cooperation among co-ops, and CGN is uniquely positioned to be a resource and motivator for those efforts. I want to help preserve the creative momentum created by the growth of our member stores.
2. Why are you interested in serving on the CGN board of directors?
Having observed my own co-op's board for many years, I understand that a communicating a clear vision can be very helpful for those on the operational side. I would like to use my experiences on the other side of the table, to help lead and support CGN's mission.
3. Other comments
I see my job in IT as providing my co-workers with the tools they need to succeed. Helping to provide a collaborative community to other co-ops is a direct extension of that.
Doug Walter
Membership Director, Davis Food Co-op, Davis CA
1. What is of particular interest to you in CGN and its activities?
I've assisted in setting CGN on this path of service expansion and integration with Co-op Grocer magazine, and I would like to follow through. I'm very interested in creating resources around membership, information technology, and community-building -- I think that the knowledge is out there, and interactive groups, wiki-building, and file sharing are going to make it easier for us to tap into the experience and creativity that animates our movement.
2. Why are you interested in serving on the CGN board of directors?
I enjoy working with other cooperators, and adding value for our members. I want to support our management, and my perspective as a long-serving Director to link with our members. I've served on CGN task forces for nominations, annual meeting, and strategic planning sessions, and feel that I can contribute both experience and ideas to the Board's work.
3. Other comments
I've been active in CGN's lists, and want to make sure that we never lose sight of user needs, and the quality of our user experience.
# # #
Thank you for voting!!
Martha Whitman & Travis Hance
marthawhitman@comcast.net or (505) 804-0947
travis@syracuserealfood.coop or (315) 472-1385
Nominating Committee
Cooperative Grocer Network
Voting difficulties or questions? Call or email Dan Nordley: 612-436-9177
*/*/*
*BACKGROUND FOR BOARD CANDIDATES*
ELIGIBILITY
CGN's bylaws require that an individual must be affiliated with and authorized by a primary or associate member to serve on the CGN board. Additionally, no CGN member may have more than one person serving on the board of directors at a time.
BOARD MAKE-UP
CGN's board of directors is made up of up to seven elected directors. All directors are elected by CGN's members on an at-large basis. Only CGN's primary members (retail co-ops) have voting authority.
MEETINGS
CGN's board meets briefly after the CGN annual meeting, which is held in conjunction with the CCMA annual conference. At that time, the board schedules one conference call meeting each month for the rest of the year. These meetings generally last 1-1.5 hours. Additional conference call meetings may be scheduled as needed.
Additionally, the CGN board meets the Wednesday before or Sunday after CCMA for a strategic planning session. The board would prefer that all candidates participate in this meeting to gain their perspectives and to ensure that all directors are prepared to serve.
Board members are expected to attend and participate in every meeting. Dates are scheduled one year in advance to avoid conflicts and to ensure full attendance. CGN board service is estimated at 3 hours per month. Per CGN's bylaws, directors are automatically terminated if they miss three board meetings in a year.
GOVERNANCE STYLE
CGN's board is transitioning to Policy Governance, we hope to have the bulk of our policies in place by June. We currently have one standing committee, the Nominating Committee. Ad hoc committees are Policy, and Executive Support & Evaluation. Each board member is expected to serve on at least one committee.
TERMS
Board terms are for three years and begin at the time of the annual meeting.
COMPENSATION AND EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT
While CGN is committed to reimbursing directors for all expenses incurred in their service to CGN, the budget to do so is very limited. Directors are asked to communicate their expenses and needs for reimbursement to the CGN office to avoid cost overruns. No compensation is provided for board service and traditionally a director's co-op covers the costs for a director to attend CCMA.
*QUESTIONS*
For further information, contact either member of the Nominating committee:
Martha Whitman, marthawhitman@comcast.net or (505) 804-0947
Travis Hance, travis@syracuserealfood.coop or (315) 472-1385
or the CGN office: Dan Nordley 612/436-9177 | 612/845-2446 mobile or
dan@cooperativegrocer.coop
*/*/*
*2013 ELECTION TIMETABLE*
*March 1*
Call for candidates issued via CGN website.
Reminders sent: early- and mid-March
*April 2*
Applications due to Nominating Committee.
*April 12*
Nominating Committee announces its selection of candidates.
*April 22*
All candidates must submit background information and head shot photo to be
included in the ballot mailing to all members.
*May 1*
Ballot mailing goes out.
Candidate information will also be posted on CGN's web site and email
notification will be sent to all CGN contact persons regarding the online
election information.
*June 6* – at the annual meeting at CCMA conference in Austin.
Deadline for ballots to be submitted in person. Election results will be
announced. New directors' terms begin.
File attachments:
