2020 Board Nomination Solicitation
TPSS Co-op depends on its member-owners, employees, local farmers and other suppliers to ensure its continued success as a reliable place for healthy food. The Co-op also depends on the leadership of its Board of Representatives - member-owners just like you who are diverse, passionate, and interested in creating a better community and world! Each year, the Co-op seeks inspired, thoughtful, skillful, and dedicated member-owners to run for open seats on the Board. The deadline to run in this fall’s Board election is October 15. The election will run through November 10. This year, there are three Board seats open for three-year terms and one seat for a one-year team, all starting December 1. We urge you to consider running for the Board!
WHO WE ARE
The Board of Representatives is a group of nine diverse, member-owners, elected by their fellow member-owners to govern the organization on behalf of all member-owners. The Board is responsible for ensuring the well-being, perpetuity and financial success of TPSS Co-op in accordance with the Bylaws and philosophy of the organization.
THE IMPORTANCE OF DIVERSITY ON THE CO-OP BOARD
The Co-op is a space for all of us with the mission of access to healthful food at the center. For the Co-op to be truly representative of all its member-owners, employees, shoppers, and the community within which it sits, all must have a seat at the governance table. Our work as board members is centered in making real the concept of diversity, equity, and inclusion so that our vision and decisions reflect what is best, not only for the Co-op, but for all its stakeholders.
Candidates nominate themselves in accordance with the procedures outlined in the Application Packet.
BOARD RESPONSIBILITIES Under a system known as Policy Governance, the board’s role is to:
- Set strategic direction for the Co-op: We do this by developing and overseeing policies that guide the Co-op in providing healthy food, in a manner that is sustainable, fair, equitable and serves the community.
- Evaluate the performance of the General Manager: We monitor the GM’s performance through policies that grant the GM flexibility to be creative in running the store while ensuring that the Board receives all information necessary to execute our duties.
- Ensure that the assets of the Co-op are protected: We assess and oversee issues in member and community service and finance. Activities include updating the Co-op’s by-laws, approving contracts not delegated to the GM, and conducting an annual meeting for all member-owners.
REQUIREMENTS FOR ELECTION TO THE BOARD OF REPRESENTATIVES
- Board members must be member-owners of TPSS Co-op in good standing.
- Co-op employees who are member-owners are eligible to run. If elected, a Co-op employee will be representing the membership at large, not the staff of the Co-op.
- A Board member may not have a conflict of interest resulting from an affiliation with any enterprise that is in competition with the Co-op.
- Once elected, each Board member must sign a confidentiality agreement and disclose any potential conflicts of interest.
- Board members must be able to attend monthly meetings and contribute to the work of Board committees. Often a time commitment of ten hours or more per month is needed. Board members are also expected to be familiar with the by-laws and policies of the Co-op.
- Co-op employees who are member-owners are eligible to run. If elected, a Co-op employee will be representing the membership at large, not the staff of the Co-op.
2020 ELECTION DATES
- October 15, 9 pm - Deadline for submitting Board Application Forms
- October 17 2-3:45 pm - Annual Membership Meeting and ‘Meet the Candidates’ forum
- October 19 - November 10 - Board Election Voting
BENEFITS
Board Representatives will receive a monthly stipend in the form of a TPSS gift card in the amounts specified in Appendix A of the Bylaws:
- $75 for Board Representatives not serving as officers
- $100 for Board Representatives serving as an officer other than President
- $125 for the Board Representative serving as President
Such stipends are considered taxable income. Board Representatives must complete a W-9 and will receive a 1099 from TPSS for tax reporting. The Board commits itself and its representatives to ethical and businesslike conduct, including proper use of authority and appropriate decorum when acting as Representatives.
OTHER PERKS
You will gain financial literacy, strategic thinking, management experience and business acumen. Joining the Board is an excellent opportunity to learn and practice good leadership and governance, serve your community and to help steer the future of our co-operative.
THE PROCESS
- Learn more about the Co-op, the Board, its system of governance, and the qualities and commitment required of an effective Board member. The information outlined above provides basic information to get started. See our Governance page for more details.
- Attend at least one Board meeting in advance of joining the Board. Board meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month and are currently conducted on-line.
- Attend the annual meeting on Saturday, October 17 from 2-3:45 pm. During the “Meet the Candidates” segment of the meeting you will have up to three minutes to make a statement and answer questions from other member-owners.
- Complete and submit the BOARD APPLICATION FORM no later than Thursday, October 15 at 9 pm. If you prefer, you may fill out and email the form, along with a digital photograph, to boardelections@tpss.coop before the deadline. Application materials and photos may not be changed once submitted, and all nominations are subject to verification.
- The Board election will be held online October 19 - November 10.
- Candidates receiving the highest vote totals will be elected to three-year terms that begin on December 1, 2020.