By: Scott Hawthorn, Co-op B
oard Vice President
As we approach the changing grocery market of the area and successfully navigate a new COVID-19 world, the OCC Board is seeking people interested in serving on the board of directors for the Oneota Co-op.
The Co-op is governed by a 7-member Board of Directors, with each director elected to serve a 3-year term on the board. The primary responsibilities of the Board of Directors are to provide overall direction and ensure the long range security and viability of the Co-op. This includes creating and sustaining a transparent and accountable relationship with the member/ownership. In addition, the Board of Directors is responsible for hiring, compensating, delegating responsibility, and holding accountable a general manager (GM).
The Board operates according to Policy Governance which uses policy language developed and voted on by the board to set out the goals of the organization, limitations of the general manager, and to outline the board’s work and process.
The Policy Governance Model is an operating system for boards developed by John Carver in the 1970’s. The OCC Board adopted the concept of policy governance in 1996-97. The Board began using an organized approach to governance during 2008 and continues to refine the policies. A basic explanation follows:
- Members own the Oneota Community Co-op.
- Member/owners elect the Board to direct the OCC on their behalf.
- The Board hires the General Manager to manage the OCC under its direction.
- The General Manager hires staff to operate the store according to their interpretation of the Board’s direction.
- The Staff serves the customers, many of whom are member/owners.
Policy governance is a method to help keep the roles and responsibilities of the various groups separate enough to run a business effectively, while keeping the board accountable to the member/ ownership and the General Manager accountable to the Board. The Board does this, in a nutshell by doing three things:
- Develop written expectations (policies).
- Assign authority to the GM to reasonably interpret and implement these policies, and assign authority to the board for operating effectively under a system of governance as outlined in our by-laws and policies.
- Check to see if the board and the GM fulfilled the expectations.
The Board has a serious responsibility to do the following:
- Provide governance and fiscal oversight.
- Clarify the meaning of the OCC’s values.
- Be responsive to the member/owners.
- Envision the future.
- The Board does not make operational decisions; it is the role of the General Manager whom the Board evaluates.
The Board of Directors holds monthly business meetings, which are also open to all member/owners to attend. In April 2021, there will be 2 full-term positions open for candidates to fill as Scott Timm and Detra Dettmann complete their terms. Full-term positions require a commitment of three years. Our Board is best served by having members with skills and personalities as diverse as the Co-op itself.
- Are you skilled at financial oversight?
- Are you interested in lending your expertise to help a local business thrive?
- Do you have a passion for the Co-op mission or commitment to cooperative values?
- Do you like policy formation and critical thinking?
- Do you like your community and neighbors?
If being on the board is calling to you for any of the reasons above – or others, we want to hear from you. Application packets can be found with Co-op Front End staff, or online by clicking here.
Any questions you have regarding the upcoming election can be directed to Scott Hawthorn, Board Vice President and chair of the Board Nominating Committee or to any Board members. Scott’s contact information includes: oneotahawthorn@gmail.com and/or 563-277-0036.
Serving on the Board is a wonderful way to make a positive impact, not only at the Co-op, but also in our community, region, state, and beyond. The application deadline is right around the corner – January 4. We hope to hear from you!
Activity/Deadline
Candidate recruitment/self-nomination – ongoing
Candidate applications and statements due for all candidates – January 4
Board interviews candidates as necessary – January 6-25
Board nomination – January 26 Board Meeting
Final deadline for all candidates for name inclusion on ballot – February 10
Candidate Forum – TBA
Ballots and candidate statements with announcement of annual meeting presented to members in good standing – March 1
Voting ends at end of business day – April 1
Administration of ballot counting – Early April
Election results announced – April Annual Business Meeting
New board members start service – April Board Meeting
