Candidate Nomination Package

2021-2024 Board of Directors

Thank you for your interest in serving on the board of Canada’s largest independent consumer-owned retail food co-operative!

From our humble beginnings in the 1970s as small buying club, the Kootenay Co-op has grown over the past four decades into a thriving social enterprise with more than 11,000 active members and annual sales in excess of $25M.

Are you passionate about supporting local business, building strong communities and sharing great food? Us too!

Mission-driven and guided by the international cooperative principles, our Co-op plays an ever-increasing role in the social, economic and environmental sustainability of our region. We support our community and strengthen our local economy by supporting local farmers, artisans, and food producers. We are the sole or primary retailer for dozens of local small businesses. Our Co-op provides a meaningful and just work experience for our 150+ employees and supports a wide variety of community groups and non-profit organizations through our outreach programs.

Our board is a volunteer governance board that guides the long-term direction of our business on behalf of the owners, our members — our friends, neighbours, family and colleagues. Our six member-elected directors and our employee-elected director help our members democratically take control of their food supply and play an important role in the well-being of our community. Joining our board means joining a group of people committed to strengthening our local community and working towards a more sustainable food system.

Serving as our Co-op’s Board President during these challenging times has been a special privilege. I’m beyond proud of how our staff, management and board have risen to meet this moment, keeping our community fed, our finances impeccable, and our sights on better days ahead.

Ina PockrassBoard President

director roles + benefits

Directors contribute by:

Participating in strategic planning and risk management.
Hiring and evaluating the General Manager, who is responsible for managing all operational matters, including store policies, hiring, maintaining the facilities, marketing and communications.
Acting as trustees on behalf of our Co-op’s members.
Having fiduciary obligations for our Co-op, including sound management of our Co-op’s resources.
Attending monthly board meetings and participate in two board committees, all currently virtual.
Committing to at least one three-year term.

Directors benefit by:

Making a difference in our community by helping strengthen our local food system.
Developing professional skills in leadership, teamwork and management.
Building professional and personal relationships.
Having access to training opportunities offered by our Co-op and its affiliates.
Receiving monthly honorarium in store credit and store discount.

Are you a good fit for our board? Is our board a good fit for you?

Our board welcomes those with diverse backgrounds, skills and experience. All members may nominate themselves to stand for election, and our board seeks nominees with any of the following:

Experience in retail, or wholesale grocery business, natural foods and nutrition, organic food production.
A background in business law, finance/accounting, marketing, digital media, human resources real estate/property management.
Previous experience on a board of directors.
The ability to read and comprehend financial statements.
An understanding of the cooperative principles.

Interested in joining?

Please read the following regarding candidate requirements, and fill out the form on the right

All candidates must:

Formally declare willingness to stand for election by returning the attached nomination form before June 30, 2021.
Be a fully-paid up member of our Co-op for at least 90 days before nomination.
Reside in BC.
Possess excellent communication skills, including maintaining the highest level of confidentiality.
Have excellent collaborative decision-making skills, including ability to support group decisions regardless of personal opinions.
Exhibit a commitment to the Mission and Vision of the Kootenay Co-op and be willing to represent the interests of the membership.
Disclose any actual, perceived, or potential conflicts of interest.
Attend at least one regular board meeting between now and the AGM in September. Attendance at a board meeting may require signing of a non-disclosure agreement. Please contact the Board President via email to arrange for your attendance.
After nomination, potential candidates will meet with the Nominations Committee. If eligibility is confirmed, candidates will be asked for additional information to be shared with our membership and must meet with our General Manager before the AGM.

By completing this nomination, nominees confirm they are not disqualified as a director according to the Cooperative Association Act of BC. An individual is disqualified if they are:

under 18 years of age;
not a member of our Co-op;
found by a court to be incapable of managing the individual’s own affairs;
an undischarged bankrupt; or
convicted in or out of British Columbia of an offence in connection with the promotion, formation or management of a corporation or of an offence involving fraud.

Election Timeline & Process

May • Call for Nominations
June 30 • Last day to submit a nomination form
July 15 • Eligibility is confirmed with each nominee
August to September • Election period
September 30 • Annual General Meeting

Candidate Nominations

Name

Member #

Phone

Email Address

Mailing Address

Occupation

Why are you interested in standing for election to our board of directors?

What role do you see our Co-op playing in our community, now and in the future?

Describe the skills or experience that you would contribute to our board. For example - leadership, strategic planning, finance, legal, HR, communications, board service or any other relevant expertise.

Describe a situation that demonstrates your ability to exercise good judgement, visionary thinking, or collaborative decision making.

Please disclose any conflicts of interest, be they actual, perceived, or potential.

Today's Date

Candidate Nomination Package

2021-2024 Board of Directors

Thank you for your interest in serving on the board of Canada’s largest independent consumer-owned retail food co-operative!

Are you passionate about supporting local business, building strong communities and sharing great food? Us too!

director roles + benefits

Interested in joining?

Please read the following regarding candidate requirements, and fill out the form on the right

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