Board of Directors

‘To me, the co-op is like a member of our family.  Knowing that we support an organization that shares the same values is important.  One way I can show my support is by using my leadership, food background, and business skills to serve on the board of directors to help ensure that the co-op will continue to serve the community, now and in the future.’
-Alex Schlicter, TCCP Board president

The Wedge and Linden Hills together are governed by an elected Board of Directors. In the consolidation of the Wedge and Linden Hills board, each board independently elected three individuals to move forward to the new board. That group of six individuals then recommended a seventh board seat, along with a chair emeritus position. They meet regularly and report on the state of the co-op at the Annual Meeting every autumn.

 

Board Role and Duties

The Board of Directors has three primary duties:

  • To ensure sound management of the co-op
  • To act as trustees on behalf of the ownership
  • To set long-range goals and plan for the future

To fulfill these responsibilities, the Board of Directors focuses on four key areas:

  • Hiring and evaluating the CEO
  • Financial oversight
  • Long-range strategic planning
  • Recruitment of replacement directors

Directors act in accordance with the Code of Ethics and Conduct

The Board also oversees elections and recommends updates to the Articles and Bylaws, the legal documents that define and guide the co-op.

Directors must look after the best interests of the co-op as a whole in a changing business environment. That means that policies and practices at the co-op may change over time.

Owners are welcome to attend the board meetings. If you want to contact the co-op’s Board of Directors, please use the contact us form and be sure to select the appropriate category.

Board Responsibilities

It is the responsibility of the board to set long-term goals and ensure planning for the future, ensure sound management of co-op resources, and act as trustees on behalf of the owners.

To fulfill these responsibilities, the Board of Directors must focus on these key areas:

  • Hiring, supervising and evaluating the co-op’s CEO.
  • Planning for the co-op’s future and approving management’s plans
  • Approving capital and operating budgets
  • Recruiting new directors to ensure a well-qualified board
  • Making decisions about the mechanics of the co-op’s governance system, development of policies and guidelines and other related matters, (Note: The board does NOT make operating decisions for the store, choose products or supervise staff other than the CEO).

Expectations of Board Members:

  • Understand and promote the mission of the Wedge Community Co-op
  • Understand the role of the Board of Directors
  • Act in the interests of the all owners, not a specific constituency
  • Attend meetings faithfully and serve on committees effectively (10-20 hours/month time commitment, depending on committee assignments and intensity of board work which may vary over time)
  • Assess their own performance as board directors
  • Act in accordance with the Code of Ethics and Conduct
  • Assure continuity of the highest quality in board directorship

Board Meetings

2018 Board Meetings
Will be held the third Tuesday of each month at the Wedge Table Community Room*

  • March 20 at Co-op Partners Warehouse
  • April 17
  • May 15
  • June 19
  • July 17
  • August 21
  • September 25
  • October 16
  • Annual Meeting
    Tuesday, October 23
    View 2017 Annual Report

*Meetings typically begin at 5:30 p.m. Meeting dates, times, and location are subject to change. Please call 612.465.8857 ahead of time to confirm.

Owners are welcome to attend regularly scheduled board meetings. If you are interested in attending, please contact board@tccp.coop or call 612.871.3993 x1817 at least one day in advance of the meeting.

Approved regular session board meeting minutes are available to owners upon request.

To contact the board, or inquire about making a presentation to the board, please email board@tccp.coop or call 612.871.3993 x1817

Owner Attendance & Presentations at Board of Directors Meetings

Become a Candidate

A qualified board candidate is a co-op member with a passion for our community, strong leadership skills and a collaborative approach. We seek board candidates who can engage in respectful debate and dialogue, bringing their unique perspectives and skills to the conversation.

The position requires an average commitment of 10–20 hours per month and offers a stipend of $9,128 per year.

Elections are held annually each fall. The 2019 board candidate application form will be available in the spring of 2019. For more information about the joining the board of directors, see Board Role and Duties, Board Responsibilities and Candidate Selection Criteria.

Two legacy board members from each co-op will remain on the board for 2019. On the 2018 ballot three seats are open to TCCP owners in good standing.

 

Candidate Selection Criteria

Reasons to Consider Running for the Board of Directors:
  • You want to make a contribution to your community
  • You want to give something back to your favorite co-op
  • You have talent and energy to share
  • You want to be actively involved in a representative democracy
Criteria Considered by the Nominations Committee for Board Candidates:
  • Active owner of record in good standing (may be verified with Customer Service)
  • Completed application and resume submitted prior to deadline
  • Ability to perform the responsibilities and expectations of board director
  • Commitment to the Code of Ethics and Conduct adopted by the TCCP Board of Directors
  • Good communication skills
  • Leadership qualities (listed below)
  • Understanding of the role of the Board of Directors
  • Ability to readily understand financial issues and read financial statements such as balance sheets
  • Previous board, committee or other group experience
Desirable Candidate Leadership Qualities:

The Board of Directors needs people with commitment to the entire ownership of the co-op, not just specific issues. If you possess the following leadership characteristics, or a good number of them, please consider applying.

  • Able to share a vision, a purpose, an ideal
  • Empowers others and delegates authority
  • Is creative, imaginative, and flexible
  • Respects multiple elements of diversity and diversity of thought
  • Displays candor and has the courage to challenge respectfully
  • Follows through on commitments
  • Understands balance between bottom line and larger organizational purpose
  • Able to maintain confidentiality when required
  • Able to work on a team
  • Able to put the interests of the whole body above the interests of a few
  • Able to think long term and see the big picture without getting bogged down in details
  • Previous experience working in a group or on a board and a background or expertise in finance, retail or wholesale management is a plus for candidates

Term: 3 years, beginning with the first board meeting following the October annual meeting

Compensation: $9128 per year, paid monthly (more for officers)

Store Councils

Store councils were introduced as a part of the consolidation to maintain each store’s connection to its neighborhoods and community. The core function of the store councils is to enhance communication and cooperation between the governing board and owners and to deepen the co-ops’ commitment to the greater communities they serve. Store council members will work closely with the ownership committee and marketing team to connect with their surrounding neighborhoods, to promote familiarity with the co-op, to listen and learn about community needs, and to encourage new and diverse shoppers and membership.

There will be two store councils – one for Linden Hills Co-op and one for the Wedge/Wedge Table. Each store council will have 5 members that serve up to 3 year terms. As written in the consolidation agreement, previous board member were given priority to fill their respective store council seats if they chose to do so. The Linden Hills store council seats have already been filled, but there are 3 seats available on the Wedge/Wedge Table store council.

Interested owners should complete the application and send it to outreach@wedge.coop. Applications are due February 1, 2018.