board elections
august 23- september 26, 2023
This year there are five dedicated and passionate members running for three open seats. Scroll through these slides or click on the candidate’s names to watch a quick video introduction or read about what skills + experience they hope to bring to our Board.
What do I look for in a candidate?
Our board has seven directors who work together to guide the strategic direction of your Co-op and to hire and oversee our General Manager. What makes a great director is someone who has the experience, values, and collaborative skills to help your Co-op thrive as a business and in our community. Visit the board page to read the bios of the continuing directors.
Cathy-Ann Glockner (incumbent)
Video Introduction
Why are you interested in joining our Board?
I love the Co-op. I have been involved in some way, shape, or form with the Co-op since about 1990. Firstly as a member and cashier, then as a supplier, then again as a cashier, assistant Front End manager, and staff director on the board. I have seen the Co-op thrive from it’s charming space which is now Gerricks Sports, to the “new store” which was at 295 Baker Street, and then to this unbelievable really new store located at 777 Baker Street. I left my Co-op employment 4 years ago to help my partner with his business. I have had a long break from involvement with the store and I feel that I now have the time and energy to be jump in again!
What is the most important role of our Co-op?
We are the largest food Co-op in the country and we are so much more than just a grocery store in our community. We are also a social, health, and educational hub owned by over 10,000 people who, to varying degrees, are joined in the vision of what this stands for. When people come to Nelson they see what we have created and maintained for decades and they understand something about our town and our commitment. It is obvious that this community of people is dedicated to health, wellbeing, and local sustainability. Members trust the choices and vision of the Co-op and this sets us apart from regular grocery stores. It brings people together and provides products, services, and education in a store that they own.
Going forward it is important for us to make sure that we stay true to our mission and values with respect to our members, staff, suppliers and the community at large. Having weathered the past several years, I feel that we should also be learning and educating our membership as to how best to further our journey towards a more secure local food system.
What values will you bring to our board?
Some of my most relevant values are as follows: A strong and resilient local food system and a co-operative which shares and supports this value. An ethical and respectful workplace where people can work happily and with fair compensation. Education and community support surrounding issues that build a healthy bodies, mind, community and eco system.
Current and/or former occupation
I run a guesthouse in Nelson with 5 vacation rental suites.
What are the top five skills you will contribute to our Board?
Natural/Organic food industry experience, Many years working closely with Staff, management, and board at the Co-op, Strong Customer Service focus, Connection to the community and many of the Co-op’s membership, Organic Food production
How will your experience benefit our Co-op?
I have worked closely with the staff and membership of the Co-op and I feel that I have a good sense of people’s values and needs. I have run a natural bodycare business for a decade and this experience has given me insight to the retail and supplier side of the store. Having been the staff board director for many years has given me experience, understanding, and appreciation for the work of being a board member. Lastly, I have worked at the Co-op at all 3 of it’s Nelson locations and was working through the transition to each new space. I believe this experience gives a continuity perspective which is helpful for the board.
What experience do you have in working collaboratively?
As mentioned previously, I have worked with the Co-op for years and have done team building, visioning, and strategy workshops with various groups within the Co-op. I have managed up to 28 staff and building a strong sense of collaboration within that team was one of my top priorities. Our home situation is ever fluid with various members of our family and extended family living on our property. We all work cooperatively daily to grow food, maintain our property, and create a meaningful and joyful space.
Kay Coburn
Video Introduction
Why are you interested in joining our Board?
I have been interested in health all my adult life. The Co-op’s commitment to providing high quality products that are good for our health as well as for the environment was one of the reasons our family chose to move to Nelson from Ontario in 1996. Since then I have always felt a sense of pride in belonging to this cooperative that supports and values its staff, our community and our planet. As an avid reader on health, nutrition and the environment I believe that I have something to contribute to this worthwhile organization.
What is the most important role of our Co-op?
Our Co-op now exists in a world where “health food” has become big business. Maintaining integrity in the choice of products we provide as well as remaining competitive in a changing retail environment requires commitment, vigilance and creativity. This is an important role that our Co-op can play – to show that this can be done in a way that is respectful of consumer choice without sacrificing our values or our vision. Because human health and planetary health are tied together, I see the Co- op as a leader in furthering discussion, and helping provide solutions for our current environmental crisis.
What values will you bring to our board?
I value integrity, respect for differences, being fair, and providing opportunities for everyone to thrive. I will bring a strong commitment to helping our Co-op continue to support its members and staff, our community, and our local producers. I believe in ethical practices and the value of education.
Current and/or former occupation
Retired college instructor, French teacher, and home-school parent/teacher
What are the top five skills you will contribute to our Board?
I am a quick and enthusiastic learner. I am very organized. I am a problem-solver. I contribute meaningfully to groups I am involved with. I am a good listener who tries to take all points of view into account.
How will your experience benefit our Co-op?
I have been sourcing and seeking out organic foods for almost four decades. I have read extensively on nutrition, health and wellbeing, so I understand the benefit of our
Co-op’s values and mission.
As a mother I have experienced the importance of having access to healthy alternatives for individuals and families.
For each of eight years as a homeschool teacher/parent I needed to set learning outcomes, design a program that would meet those outcomes, find resources, and then implement the program. I have learned to set goals, develop a plan, and execute it successfully.
Through my academic work I learned how to research a question and develop practical, logical responses to it.
What experience do you have in working collaboratively?
As a teacher of international students I have created welcoming, inclusive learning environments in groups where the members had vastly different cultural backgrounds.
I worked cooperatively with two other college instructors on creating a language teaching program.
I currently serve on the board for the Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy.
Bonnie Baker
Video Introduction
Why are you interested in joining our Board?
I’ve been on the BOD before, before the store moved to it’s present location and now have to deal with so very much financial complications. I have been a co-op member forever, and have 2 lifetime memberships (but I can’t prove the other one). I worked with my late husband’s business keeping the finances solvent, but that was then and this is now. I am on the Kootenay Co-op Radio BOD, and I really believe in the principles of co-ops and credit unions, and since I’m retired, I have the time to put in, if folks want me.
What is the most important role of our Co-op?
The Co-op principles are a strong voice for a different and more inclusive values besides just the bottom line. Many more businesses are seeking the Co-op way to organize their businesses, because everyone in the Co-op has a voice. In future, I do hope the Co-op can pay off the debt and raise the wages of those wonderful folks who work for it.
What values will you bring to our board?
I’m dedicated to the Co-op principles, and buy local whenever I buy anything.
Current and/or former occupation
My former life was on an organic farm in Winlaw. Now, I have a garden, a GreenHouse, and I grow plants, am on the BOD of KCR, host the morning current afairs show and my music show, also at KCR.
What are the top five skills you will contribute to our Board?
I know the history of the Co-op and it’s development. I know how to conduct meetings; I have a good sense of humour, and I can keep a secret.
How will your experience benefit our Co-op?
I think my experience in Co-ops, in farming, and in history will all benefit the Co-op.
What experience do you have in working collaboratively?
I’ve worked on a collectively produced newspaper; I work on the KCR board using consensus-based decision making; and it’s what I do best in this best of all possible worlds.
Genevieve Fowler
Video Introduction
Why are you interested in joining our Board?
Having moved to Nelson 18 months ago, it’s been great to see how the community supports one another and gets involved. I would like to give back to the community and see the Coop as being an essential community hub. I believe I have expertise to bring and value the opportunity to share that with the Coop to help it achieve its mission. In my experience, food brings people together. By providing high-quality food and produce, the Coop is contributing to the social and cultural environment we live in.
What is the most important role of our Co-op?
Providing high quality food and produce to the community, especially locally and sustainably sourced product. Not only is this essential to preserving our environment, it also sets an example for other organizations and individuals to follow.
What values will you bring to our board?
Proactiveness, Accountability, Gratitude, Health, Balance
Current and/or former occupation
Manager, Employee Relations & Mobility
What are the top five skills you will contribute to our Board?
Human Resources, Compliance, Conflict Management, Relationship Building, Organization
How will your experience benefit our Co-op?
My professional experience is in the legal field, specializing in employment law and human resources. This experience would benefit the Co-op given its role as a large employer within the community. Personally, I love living a healthy, outdoor life, fueled by good food and friends. Experience moving from New Zealand to Vancouver, and later Nelson, has built my resilience, adaptability and openness to new challenges.
What experience do you have in working collaboratively?
I have worked in and lead teams throughout my career. In New Zealand, I worked for New Zealand’s largest employer, a dairy cooperative, owned by about 9,000 New Zealand farmers.
Personally, being raise in a family of 5 children meant I learned to collaborate from an early age.
James Hiebert
Video Introduction
Why are you interested in joining our Board?
Co-ops have been a key aspect of my personal food security from a young age extending well into adulthood and I want to give back and support the co-op movement that has supported me.
As a child, my parents bulk ordered food with other families and divided it up at our local church. As a young adult, I was an active member of a variety of food, car and gear co-ops ranging from those sized at half a dozen members and completely volunteer run to those like the Kootenay Coop with thousands of members and professional staff. For most of my adult life, I’ve participated in Community Supported Agriculture, community gardens and the local food economy.
Co-ops have been so integrated into my life that I took them for granted, until 2020 when the (formerly) Mountain Equipment Co-op was sold to an American private equity firm. That shocking event woke me up to realize how extremely integral co-ops have been to my life. Food and nutrition are critical to our health, happiness and community and I want to join the board to ensure the continued viability of the Kootenay Co-op for all of our member-owners.
What is the most important role of our Co-op?
The bulk of my career has been spent analyzing future climate change scenarios and their potential impacts on BC. Food and agriculture are significantly impacted by present and future climate. The Kootenay Co-op has an enormously important role to play in maintaining the resiliency of our local food systems and our transportation/food distribution network. By working with and supporting local farmers, promoting sustainable practices and advocating for policies that support healthy and sustainable food systems, the Kootenay Co-op can continue to build a more resilient community and provide for its members.
What values will you bring to our board?
While sharing the same commitment as fellow co-op members, I bring a deep dedication to supporting local communities and fostering sustainable food systems. Recognizing the importance of regional food security, I firmly believe in ensuring universal access to healthy, nutritious food. As an active co-op member, I highly value the collectivism that has established and maintained this invaluable community asset, and I appreciate the democratic governance that gives each of us a voice in shaping the co-op’s direction.
In my professional capacity as a manager, I prioritize cultivating a workplace culture built on mutual respect and collaboration within my team. I firmly believe in treating staff with fairness, providing them with empowerment, and creating avenues for personal and professional growth.
Current and/or former occupation
Lead, Computational Support; Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium
What are the top five skills you will contribute to our Board?
Leadership, multi-disciplinary collaboration, team building, human resources, data science
How will your experience benefit our Co-op?
For many years, I have been serving in a senior management role at a not-for-profit studying the impacts of climate change on British Columbia and Canada. Working in the not-for-profit sector is mission-oriented, and I know that none of us can accomplish our collective goals in isolation. I am keenly aware that we have to work together in partnership and that the strength of our collaboration and shared mission is our biggest asset.
What experience do you have in working collaboratively?
I have a deep commitment to local, healthy and organic food, I have a long history of involvement with co-op values and non-profit management. My background in climate change impacts and technology afford me a unique perspective and the ability to solve complex problems that pertain to the co-op’s long term strategic planning.
I have been a member of a variety of food, car, and gear co-ops of all sizes. I have been a part of many CSA’s, and community gardens and have always focused on participating in the local food economy.
Co-op’s have been such an important part of my lived experience that I want to work as hard as I can to ensure their viability and sustainability.
Voting Instructions
Only members can vote. Each person who has been a member for more than 30 days can cast one ballot – either online or in person at Customer Service.
We’re using a new voting platform this year and we’ve sent a ballot to everyone with an email on file. If you haven’t seen it please request a ballot. You can also vote in-person at Customer Service.
A membership belongs to only one person. While those who live with the member can use the number at the tills, only the member can vote. If you’re not sure who is the member in your house, request a ballot or ask at Customer Service.
Voting closes Tuesday September 26th, 11:45pm
Request a ballot
Request a Ballot
If we have your email in our system, we have sent you a ballot! If you have not seen yours yet, please:
- check your spam folders – these could be called Spam, Junk, Promotions or Other. Look for “Reminder – Kootenay Co-op Election” sent on September 19th.
- ask your partner – it’s easy to forget who the member is when you have several people in your household who shop with the same number. Only the member can vote, so ask your partner to look for the email, and be sure to let them know which candidates you prefer!
- If you still can’t find it – fill out the form so we can confirm your membership and send you a ballot within two business days.
OR
- Review the candidates, write down your top three, and vote at the Customer Service desk.
This form is now closed for submissions.