The Board is having amazing conversations right now about the future of Wheatsville, expanding the cooperative economy, and transforming society. Join the conversation! If your interest has piqued, there are a few things that you can do to explore whether Board work is for you:
Attend a Board Meeting
Board meetings are usually held on the 4th Tuesday of every month. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all meetings will be virtual until further notice. Email [email protected] to access meeting room information.
Meetings are sometimes rescheduled as needed. Check the "Announcements" section on the right side of the page for information on the next meeting.
Consider Running For the Board
If you’re an owner of the Co-op and support Wheatsville’s mission to create a self-reliant, self-empowering community of people that will grow and promote a transformation of society toward cooperation, justice, and non-exploitation, consider applying and running for our 2025 Board of Directors! Click the link on the sidebar to learn more about How To Run For The Board.
Join a Committee
The Board has many committees that are active at various times throughout the year. Committees are excellent for owners interested in assisting the Board in their work as stewards of Wheatsville.
Nominations Committee (ongoing:) This is an ongoing committee whose job is to engage with potential board candidates and guide them through the election process. We always welcome owners to participate in order to learn more about how this aspect of our cooperative democracy works. Contact the [email protected] to get involved.
Audit and Review Committee (February - October:) Each year, the board engages an independent firm to conduct a financial audit of the co-op. The Audit and Review Committee works on planning and preparing for our annual audit in late summer/early fall, and prepares the annual financial review for owners, presented at the annual owners meeting. Serving on the Audit and Review Committee provides you with an in-depth of understanding and an overall view of the financial and process practices of our co-op. If you are interested in serving in 2024 please email Brandon Hines, with a little information regarding why you are interested in serving on the committee and outlining any relevant experience you may have.
The 2024 Board of Directors
Brandon Hines
President
[email protected]
Sara Vara
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Joelle Williams
Megan McDonald
MeriJayd O’Connor
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Cody Atkins
Lisa Mitchell
Treasurer
[email protected]
Brianna Menard
Secretary
[email protected]
Mindy Nobles
What is the Board of Directors and what does it do?
The Board of Directors is the governing body for the owners of Wheatsville. It is composed of nine people, all owners of Wheatsville, elected by owners. A maximum of two directors may also be employed by the cooperative, although all directors represent the ownership at large rather than any special subgroup. Terms for directors may range from one to three years as needed to ensure no more than three terms are scheduled to expire every year. The Board is responsible for ensuring organizational performance on behalf of all of Wheatsville's owners.
This work includes developing clearly stated expectations through written policies; delegating responsibility for, and authority over, the achievement of stated objectives; and monitoring compliance with written policies. As Will Rogers said “Even though you are on the right track - you will get run over if you just sit there.” The Board of Wheatsville should be strategic and visionary with its view toward the future of our cooperative, rather than focusing solely on the short-term. The current Board has been focusing on three big questions:
- How can Wheatsville benefit community?
- What is the significance of the cooperative economy?
- How can Wheatsville promote the transformation of society?
By devoting time to focus on the big-picture vision of Wheatsville, the board will ensure that we adequately position our organization for the maximum benefit of our owners, as well as anticipate trends and values which may have a critical impact on our relevance and survival.
The Board governs the organization and delegates all operational duties to one employee, the General Manager. We are involved in strategic planning, financial oversight, ownership linkage, and community outreach.
What does the Board of Directors NOT do?
The Board of Directors does not make decisions about, become involved with, or take part in any of the day-to-day activities or decisions regarding the operation of Wheatsville Co-op. The Board's sole official connection to the operations of the cooperative is through the General Manager.
Email the full board directly at [email protected]