Join the Board of Directors

Candidates must complete these three items by the listed deadlines in order to run for the Board:

1. Attend a Board meeting (Wednesday, December 11 or Wednesday, January 8):  We ask candidates to attend a Board meeting to observe the process and see if this is something they would be interested in. The Board meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. To join the meeting, contact the Board Administrator: [email protected]. They will give you the agenda and meeting information.
2. Attend a candidate orientation: We recommend that candidates attend an informal candidate orientation. Contact the Board Administrator and we’ll arrange a time to meet with you before the Jan. 17 application deadline.
3. Complete all candidate application materials (due by Friday, Jan 17, 2025):

• Read and sign the Director Position Description.
• Read and sign the Board Candidate Agreement.
• Fill out the Board of Directors Application and Candidate Profile within the Board Application.
• Fill out the References section within the Board Application.
• Read and sign the Code of Ethics and Conduct.

1. You can fill your application out online.
2. Email your application to [email protected].
3. Mail a paper copy to:
   Community Food Co-op, Attn: Board Administrator
   405 E Holly St., Bellingham, WA 98225
4. You also can drop off your application at either store service desk (Attn: Board Administrator).

The Board sets the direction of the Co-op through long-range planning and visioning. The Board supervises the General Manager (GM), attends to the financial health of the organization, and writes and monitors policies that set parameters for the GM. The Board does not direct day-to-day operations in the stores, such as the products that are carried, personnel issues, or how the store looks. That is the role of the GM.

• Ability to compromise, reach consensus, and build on shared knowledge
• Ability to “see the big picture”
• Ability to make tough decisions and be accountable for the consequences
• Experience with strategic planning or willingness to learn
• Ability to read a financial statement or willingness to learn
• Communication and cooperative group process skills
• Ability to engage and work with leaders and communities of diverse racial, ethnic, gender, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds
• Interest in serving and advancing Community Food Co-op
• Professional attitude, including an understanding of and ability to maintain confidentiality
• An understanding of the Board’s role in the Co-op or willingness to learn
• Inspiration and enthusiasm for the goals of the Co-op’s Strategic Plan goals
• Understanding or willing to understand the role of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the cooperative model.

Every year Co-op members elect three directors to the Co-op’s nine-member Board (there is one seat on the Board held by a Co-op staff person and they are elected by the staff).

Each director serves a three-year term.

Board directors volunteer approximately 10 hours per month. Each director is expected to prepare for and attend the monthly Board meetings, and to serve on at least one Board committee (most committees meet once a month). In addition to these standing meetings, directors should attend scheduled Board trainings, fall and spring retreats, the Co-op’s annual meeting, member engagement events if planned by the Board, two Co-op sponsored events, and Board/management meetings as needed.

Board directors receive a 15% discount on Co-op purchases, and a $20 coupon for each Board and committee meeting they attend.

The Board of Directors reviews all applications and nominates a slate of candidates for the ballot. Candidates not nominated by the Board can still be on the ballot by submitting a petition signed by at least 25 members or 1% of the membership eligible to vote in the previous year’s election, whichever is greater.

The Board election will run from March 1–27, 2025. Co-op members will be mailed election information and instructions about how to vote. The voting site, www.voting.coop, will include the candidate’s profile (your answers to all the application questions) and your photo.

The ballot count takes place shortly after the close of the election. You will be contacted with the results by the first week of April. If elected, you will receive initial orientation information. Your first Board meeting would be Wednesday, April 9, 2025.