Wednesday night the Board of Directors held an orientation session for consumer-owners and worker-owners interested in serving on the Board. The orientation session was an opportunity for owners to learn more about the work of the Board and the system that guides its work and to get a taste of what it means to be a member of the Board. Board Chair Curt Brinkmeyer said, “We want candidates to be informed about the work the Board undertakes and also the time commitment it involves.”
Potential candidates were told that Board members need four important skills to be on the Board:
- To be connected to the ownership to keep Weaver Street Market RELEVANT
- To be able to envision an alternative future and define RESULTS
- To accept responsibility and delegate it responsibly to control MEANS
- To be able to work as a group and effectively manage RELATIONSHIPS
Board member Linda Stier explained the policies and systems that the Board uses to keep WSM relevant, achieve results, control means, and manage relationships. She told the potential candidates, “The Board is responsible for strategic leadership of the co-op and ensuring that results reflect the values of owners.” Board Director Dave Bright added that the Board spends approximately half its time focused on its monitoring duties and the other half focused on strategic planning for the co-op.
General Manager Ruffin Slater described for the candidates the monitoring reports that he provides for the Board throughout the year. The reports include both his interpretation of the policies and data that demonstrate results and compliance. Slater presented an overview of his 2016 Plan at a special owner session at the Board’s April meeting.
The Board will hold a second candidate orientation session on Wednesday, June 17. This session will delve deeper into the Board policies, looking both at how they come into play as the Board routinely monitors “relevance, means, results, and relationships” and at how the Board draws upon them to make strategic decisions as the co-op plans for a sustainable future. Attending one of the orientation sessions is a requirement for Board candidacy.
Candidate applications are due July 13, 2015. Learn more and download an application here.