Why Board Governance?

The excitement is building as the Clipper City Co-op moves toward the next stage—electing a Board of Directors. This governing body of member-owners, elected by fellow member-owners, will be making important decisions about the Co-op in the future. The new Board of Directors will continue the on-going member-owner drive, as well as decisions about store location, market and feasibility studies, financial proforma, funding the project, member-owner loan structures, hiring staff and opening the store, are all on the horizon, for the new Board of Directors, as they grow the member-owner numbers and meet required member-owner milestones.

Shifting from a volunteer Steering Committee to a volunteer Board of Directors represents the establishment of a more formal governance structure. The Clipper City Co-op is committed to shared governance, a structure used by many co-ops and other institutions and organizations. Clipper City Co-op will still engage the work of the following committees; owner-outreach, marketing, communications and finance teams, which will continue to draw talent and grow in their roles, assuming responsibility for the tasks, which the Board of Directors will oversee, guide and assume responsibility for.

Shared governance is a system of decision making that values and honors the viewpoints of all stakeholders. Rather than a top-down model of leadership and decision-making, shared governance embraces collaboration. Open, transparent decision-making and thoughtful consideration of diverse viewpoints are important features of shared governance.

What does this mean for the co-op?

Open member and Board meetings provide opportunities for exchanging ideas and asking questions. Elected representatives work with their fellow member-owners to make decisions for the benefit of the whole co-op.

The benefit of shared governance is that decisions are made collaboratively by those who are also member-owners. And while all member-owners have a vested interest in the direction of the co-op, not everyone has the ability or desire to make all of the decisions. Elected representatives are able to make those decisions on behalf of themselves and fellow member-owners.

If you have interest in running for the Board of Directors, the first thing you need to do, is become a member-owner of Clipper City Co-op, consider attending an informational meeting on August 17th, 2016, to learn more about Board governance, submit an application by September 10,2016 and prepare to attend the Board of Directors elections at the annual meeting on November 5th, 2016. All member-owners are encouraged to share their input and vote for the Board members and participate in the collaborative decision making, with your attendance and your voice, as a member-owner of Clipper City Co-op.

To learn more about Board of Director nominations and elections, contact Mary Larson at: clippercitycoop@clippercitycoop.com, or visit our website at:www.clippercitycoop.com