Passionate about local business? Us too!
Our Co-op is committed to the social, economic, and environmental sustainability of our region. Since our roots as a buying club in the 1970s, our member-owners have continued to support local business and cooperative principles which have driven our growth into a thriving community with more than 15,000+ member-owners and annual sales in excess of $26M.
Our Co-op is mission-driven and guided by international cooperative principles. Our business is a reflection of the values of our member-owners. This means a strong focus on community stewardship by supporting local farmers, artisans, and food producers, providing meaningful employment, and supporting local organizations through our outreach programs.
Our Board of Directors
Our board is six member-elected directors and one employee-elected director, and together they guide the long-term direction of our business on behalf of our member-owners.
Joining our board means working with a group of people committed to strengthening our local community and creating a more resilient local 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.
Director Roles + Benefits
How Directors Contribute to our Co-op
Directors attend monthly board meetings and participate in two board committees so that, as a whole, the board fulfils its duties to:
- Set long-range goals and plan for the Co-op’s future
- Ensure sound management of the Co-op’s human and financial resources
- Ensure responsible and professional performance
- Act as trustees on behalf of our Co-op’s members
- Hire and oversee the General Manager, who is responsible for managing all operational matters, including store policies, staff hiring, maintaining the facilities, marketing and communications
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 with excellent communication and collaborative decision-making skills may nominate themselves to stand for election. 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, human resources, real estate/property management, operational logistics.
- Previous experience on a board of directors.
- The ability to read and comprehend financial statements.
- A deep understanding of cooperatives and the international cooperative principles.
Benefits of Being on Our Board
- Make a difference in our community by helping strengthen our local food system.
- Develop professional skills in leadership, teamwork and management.
- Build professional and personal relationships.
- Have access to training opportunities offered by our Co-op and its affiliates.
- Receive monthly honorarium in-store credit and a store discount.
Nomination Form
Please read the following candidate requirements before filling out our nomination form.
This year we have three of our seven seats up for election
All candidates must:
- Formally declare willingness to stand for election by submitting the nomination form before June 30, 2022
- Commit to at least one three-year term
- Be a fully-paid member of our Co-op for at least 90 days before nomination
- Reside in BC
- 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 the signing of a non-disclosure agreement. Please contact the Board to arrange for your attendance
- Attend an informal interview with the Nominations Committee and the General Manager
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
- 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
- April: Call for Nominations
- June 30: Last day to submit a nomination
- July 15: Eligibility is confirmed with each nominee and candidates may be asked for additional information to share with the members.
- August to September: Election period
- End of September: Annual General Meeting
Nominations are now closed.
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