Governance

boardPeople's is a consumer cooperative. This means we are owned by our customers if they so choose. Our owners fill a nine-seat board of directors from amongst their ranks. The role of the board is to establish a vision for the future of the co-op and govern the cooperative toward that vision. At People's our Board governs via a set of written policies. In addition to governance, the Board provides fiduciary and management oversight. To the right is a photo of most current Board members and some staff. From left to right: Chris Tower, Rosie Florian, Charles Henderson, Nora Chaus, Heather Colburn (staff), Lee Hauser (staff), Chris Dilley (staff), Aliisa Lahti, and Hether Frayer. Missing: Ethan Alexander, Valda Karlsons and Chris Moore.

2010 Board Elections

It is time to vote for candidates to fill three positions on the PFC Board of Directors. The fine folks you will read about below are excited to take an active part in guiding the future of our Co-op. Board Directors are responsible for representing the ownership in the oversight of PFC management, steering the fiscal direction of the PFC, and creating governing policies that benefit the longevity of the PFC. The Board of Directors commits itself to bettering the organization by making it more efficient, sustainable, cooperative, responsive, and ecologically-sound. Directors also participate in the organization of events and other concrete projects, such as the upcoming expansion. The board is constantly engaged in re-examining and improving the way it meets these responsibilities and goals.

It takes a village to raise a child, and it takes a whole community to make our Co-op great. As you are thinking about these candidates and the course you want to see the Co-op chart to the future, also be thinking about new ways in which you can be a part of that journey. You are encouraged to talk to your current PFC team – Board of Directors, General Manager and staff – to discuss the future of you Co-op and how your vote and your time and energy can have the most impact on guiding that future.

Please consider the following statements of candidacy, then download and fill out the ballot and return it to the store by Friday March 12 at 8pm, or bring the ballot to the Annual Meeting at the The Strutt at 773 West Michigan Avenue on Saturday, March 13 at 7pm. Please include your name on the ballot in the space provided. A ballot without a name will be void, as will any multiple ballots received from the same owner. Only current owners in good standing may vote. Please contact the store at 342-5686 if you are unsure of your standing as an owner.

If you have any questions, please contact the nominations chair, Ethan Alexander.

Statements of Candidacy

Christopher Carew

Many core values that I hold dear include community involvement, supporting local businesses and consumption with awareness regarding environmental impact. I am interested in People’s Food Co-op (PFC) Board of Directors candidacy simply because I wish to put into practice and action those values that I hold true.

As a board member I believe that I can offer various perspectives from personal experience. I have participated in many different forms of organic farming in New Zealand, been a member of community supported agriculture in Kalamazoo, studied Permaculture in Australia, and lived for two years in a rural agricultural community in the Peace Corps. In addition to personal experience, I held a leadership role for four years with the Alternative Spring Break and Alternative Winter Experience volunteer programs where I led groups of college students in volunteer service work.

I know the PFC is on the verge of some major changes and I wish to help support and guide the PFC in whatever capacity. My vision for the future of the PFC is to continue to grow and strive to be a leading force in sustainable business and community involvement.

Please feel free to contact Chris via email.

Matt Lechel

Hello! My name is Matthew Lechel, and I'm running for the Board of Directors of the Kalamazoo People's Food Co-op. My interest in running for the board stems from my passion for local food, and particularly, my high regard for jointly-owned, democratically controlled enterprise. The Food Co-op is an ideal organization where my contributions can intersect both of these passions. Given my background in non-profit management, I am positive I can contribute greatly to this board in many ways, specifically governance, development, community advocacy, and strategic planning. My experiences include a Master's of Public Administration-Nonprofit Leadership degree from WMU, and over 4 years of professional nonprofit work (YMCA and currently with the Girl Scouts). Beyond these experiences I bring with me, I look forward to the new challenges and skills that I will gain in this role.

My vision for the future of the PFC is one of sustainable growth and engagement beyond the status quo. I am supportive of the current board's vision for an expanded PFC, and I can bring my own expertise to this development process. My vision for a healthy PFC is one that includes a transparent and innovative board, matched with a diverse and highly engaged membership. Equality and diversity will be core values of my board membership! I appreciate your consideration (and vote) in joining the Board of Directors of the Kalamazoo People's Food Co-op. I would be happy to personally answer any further questions about my background and/or vision for the PFC.

Please feel free to contact Matt via email.

Christopher Tower

My name is Christopher Tower. I have been a PFC board member for just over three years, serving as both secretary and vice president. I love working on the PFC board, and I would like to continue to work on the board of directors. In my years as a board member, I have written several articles for the Co-op Scoop advocating the spirit of cooperatives and the benefits of The People’s Food Co-op of Kalamazoo, specifically. I have served on the Owner Recruitment and Owner Loan Campaign committees as well as serving as the chair of the Expansion Committee. I have taken a special interest in board policy governance and may make my most significant contribution by maintaining the co-op’s policies.

I joined the board in 2006 and was elected in 2007 with a goal of helping to shepherd the co-op in its expansion to new location. I would continue this work if re-elected. Like my esteemed colleagues, I committed to a strong co-op focused on contributing to a thriving local economy by bringing healthy and delicious food to the community while engaging in practices that are ecologically sound and responsible. I am excited about all the work the co-op has yet to accomplish to meet these goals better, and I hope to continue this work from 2010 to 2013. As both board member and vice president, I have been and will continue to be a representative of the interests of our owners. Thank you for taking the time to read my statement of candidacy.

Please feel free to contact Chris via email.

Ken Woolf

After years of pondering the possible benefits, my family joined the Co-op mid 2009. Since then I volunteered during your membership drive events and got to know some of the members’ employees. The more I spent with them and the more I shopped in the store, the more I liked the whole concept of the Peoples’ Food Co-op, of eating locally grown foods and the expansion of the Co-op to reach more people in the community.

When Chris sent out the notice that you were seeking some more people for the board, I thought it would be a good use of my time for a worthy cause. Below is a brief overview of my profession and my volunteer activities which may help your decision as to my qualifications to serve on your board.

I am a local business owner in Kalamazoo. My business is Woolf Excavating Incorporated: which builds roads, performs demolitions and installs underground utilities. For seven years I was President of Community AIDS Benefit Services. CABS was an all-volunteer non-profit organization that provided emergency financial assistance to people effected by HIV/AIDS in the twelve Southwestern Michigan counties.

Currently I am serving on the board of the Kalamazoo Business Exchange. KBE is our area’s construction plan room.

Lastly I have been volunteering at Vineyard’s Outreach Ministry, located in the Vine Street Neighborhood since 1993.

I understand the terms and conditions of the board position and am willing to put forward the effort and energy to fulfill that role.

Please feel free to contact Ken via email.

2010 Annual Meeting:
Saturday, March 13, 7pm at the Strutt

40thAnnivCall the babysitter and grab your dancing shoes! It's gonna be a Coop-dee-doo! People's wants to host you at the Strutt for a drink, desserts, information, and a party with the music of the Red Sea Pedestrians! The board and manager will present about the successes of 2009 and give a complete presentation about our expansion/relocation plans with site plans and visuals. Come and learn and give your input! Call the store for more information about the meeting: 269/342-5686.

Upcoming Board Meeting Schedule:
The board currently meets the 4th Tuesday of the month from 7-9pm. Beginning in March 2010, the Board will meet at the Vine Neighborhood Association, 511 W. Vine Street. On the corner of Westnedge and Vine streets. All owners and members of the community are encouraged to attend. The upcoming dates are as follows:

  • March 23, 2010
  • April 27, 2010
  • May 25, 2010
  • June 22, 2010
  • July 27, 2010
  • August 24, 2010
  • September 28, 2010
  • October 26, 2010
  • November 23, 2010
  • December 28, 2010

Next Meeting: March 23, 2010 at the Vine Neighborhood Association.

Past Monthly Board Summaries:
The Board generates a summary after each meeting. Below you will find past and current summaries.

Past meeting minutes:

Our Board is made up of the following volunteer directors (the date after the name denotes the end of the term for that director):

Our governance structure is laid out in our
By-Laws. Last updated March 2008.

Our executive and board operations are further detailed in our
Policies. Version current as of December 15, 2009.