Want to get involved? Become a candidate for the Board of Directors!

by | Current Board Election Info, General News, Owner's News

Current Board 2022-2023Information for candidates

Act now! Applications due by Sunday May 12. Please read through the following information. Below you will find the form to submit your application as well as an FAQ.

Attend a meeting

The next meeting is planned for May 15th at 5:30pm at Forest Hall inside Chatham Mills (next to the Co-op). Check the store website or contact any Board member for details.

Information about the Board

The Board can have up to 10 board members, including two employee board positions. The Board term is 3 years. If reelected, Board members may serve 3 consecutive 3 year terms. We currently have 8 members on the Board including one Chatham Marketplace employee. See the Chatham Marketplace website for a list of the current Board members:

https://www.chathammarketplace.coop/owners-portal/

Time commitments

The Board meets monthly in person for 2-2.5 hours. We generally meet each 4th Wednesday of the month in Forest Hall inside Chatham Mills from 5:30-7:45 pm. There are also two required full-day retreats held locally. Each Board member participates in a variety of activities to ensure and improve the health and future of Chatham Marketplace (CM) and to strengthen its role in the community. In addition to the monthly Board meetings, this will include some of the following: participating in committee activities, educating the community about CM at various events in Pittsboro, greeting owners at CM to get their input regarding ways to improve the co-op, helping to host events that support dialogue with CM owners such as movie nights, participating in brainstorming events with the Board or with CM owners to develop a vision for the future of CM, and hosting the annual owner meetings. In addition, there are various training sessions (typically online) in which Board members should participate. The time commitment, including monthly meetings, averages about 6 hours per month. All Board members should take these commitments seriously.

Legal liabilities

The Board of Directors has a fiduciary and legal responsibility to the owners.  We do not exercise direct control of daily operations. The General Manager provides reports defined by the Board, which are used to assess the viability of the business. Board Members have the responsibility to keep informed and act in the best interests of the Co-op. If errors of judgment do occur Board Members cannot be held liable for losses.  They are not insurers of Co-op success. Board Members could be held liable if there is proven negligence, dishonesty, or disloyalty.

Campaign courtesies and behavior

As a candidate, you will run on your own platform.  Do not label other candidates or make allegations about them.  Candidates cannot have access to the ownership address or phone lists.  Candidates and their supporters are discouraged from spending money on campaigns.

Board Governance

The Board operates under a system called “Policy Governance”. The Board creates policies that require our GM to avoid situations and results that would be detrimental to the Co-op. The board’s major policy focus is on the intended Ends, not on the administrative or programmatic means of attaining those effects. The Board is responsible for ensuring that the General Manager is complying with the Board’s policies. Our policies are available at:

https://www.chathammarketplace.coop/owners-portal/

For additional information on Policy Governance: www.carvergovernance.com

 

Submit Your Application for The Board

Please use the following form to submit your Board Application by May 12.

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Step 1 of 2

I declare that I am a candidate for the Chatham Marketplace Board of Directors.

I recognize that as a Board Member I will have fiduciary responsibility to the owners to act in an informed and prudent manner, and that I may be held personally liable if I do not.
I recognize that as a Board Member I will have a duty to represent the owners at large and to act in their best interests (not those of any faction thereof).


I understand that serving as a Board Member is a job which requires that I:

1. Prepare for and attend Board meetings consistently (11 regular meetings, 2 retreats and one Annual Meeting per year).
2. Attend Board training sessions.
3. Serve on at least one committee.
4. Become familiar with Policy Governance and the Consensus Model.
5. Understand the Co-op’s Bylaws, Policies and financial statements.

What we expect from Board Members:
1. A genuine interest in Co-op issues and our community.
2. A commitment to the Board for the duration of the vacant board term.
3. A willingness to take responsibility for Board duties and work together with understanding, mutual support, and respect to make decisions that will enhance the viability of the Co-op.

Your Name
Please indicate that you understand the requirements of being a Board Member
Please indicate that you understand what is expected of Board Members
Please indicate that you qualify to serve as a Board Member, in that you are an owner in good standing.
Good standing means your ownership is paid in full or you are within your one year payment plan period. If you aren't sure about your standing, please email us or give us a call and our staff can let you know.
If you don't remember, give us a call (919) 542-2643 or email info@chathammarketplace.coop
Address
Who Can Apply?

Any owner in good standing may apply to fill a vacant position on the board. 

You must be current with your ownership payments or be paid in full.

You should have shopped in the store during the last 12 month period.

Is experience necessary?

No.  You should have an interest in the future of Chatham Marketplace and be willing to spend the necessary time and thought to be an asset to the Board.

Active participation, energy, common sense, the ability to listen and to work with others is all that is needed.

Application Process (Due no later than May 12, 2024)

Submit Board Candidate Application (via the form on this page)

Submit a candidate statement, 250 words or less.  Submit a picture if possible. The statement should describe your involvement with Chatham Marketplace, qualifications for being a Board Member, and other reasons you have for wanting to be a part of the Marketplace Board.

What do former board members say about serving?

“Being a Board member is a privilege to work cooperatively with a great dedicated group.  We all share the same goals to fulfill the Ends for Chatham Marketplace. It’s a rewarding experience that all Owners should consider.  It takes work and dedication but that is how a community and co-op continue to thrive.”
     – Kathy Mohr, Board member 2008-2014

“My experience on the Board of Chatham Marketplace has far exceeded my expectations. I feel more connected with my community, I’ve learned about the co-op as a business, and I’ve worked with a great group of people who value my contributions.” 
     – Betsy Kraus, Board member 2010-2013

“The more I learn about agriculture, food, energy and commerce in general, the more I appreciate the insights I’ve gained through service on the Board of my local cooperative grocery.  The cooperative business model is the only model fit to match the many challenges we humans face in the 21st century.  I’ve deeply enjoyed and benefited from this service, and I commend it to anyone with an interest in making positive change in the world.”
     – John Bonitz, Board member 2003-2011

“I joined the Co-op Board in late 2013. It has been the most rewarding board experience I have ever encountered. I am grateful for all the work the previous board members have put in for Chatham Marketplace. My appreciation of the Marketplace has grown exponentially, with all the education one gets, the understanding of the grocery business and especially the co-op grocery business model. I look forward to the future of the Marketplace and its importance in our community.”
     – David Simmons Board member 2013-2015

“Being on the Chatham Marketplace Board is a great opportunity to learn about how Co-ops work, and also something about the retail grocery business. Chatham Marketplace is a member of the NCGA and through this organization; there are many tools to learn about democracy, leadership, and policy governance. There are seminars, webinars and online documents available to help us think about how to lead a democratically owned business.

The Marketplace is also an important part of Pittsboro and Chatham County community, and being on the Board is an opportunity to think about the future of our community and exactly what role our little Marketplace will play in that future”
     – Jamie Saunders Board member 2013-2016

“Serving on this Board has been a really rewarding experience. I’ve learned an incredible amount, stretched personally, and professionally, and gotten to do it with a group of amazingly intelligent and sweet people”
     – Kathleen Conroy Board member 2003-2010; 2012-2016; 2018-2021

“Joining and working with the Board of Chatham Marketplace has been one of

the most rewarding volunteer experiences I’ve had. I met other like-minded professionals in my town and helped guide our cherished community asset towards success. I highly recommend a term on the CM Board to anyone, particularly a newcomer to town as you’ll meet some of our finest citizens in a cooperative endeavor.”
     – Bob Armantrout, Board member 2010-2012

“The Chatham Marketplace Board is a group of incredibly skilled and hard working individuals. It has been an honor to serve the community as a member of this Board that is so committed to creating and maintaining a special grocery cooperative that really can serve as a community hub.”
     – Beth Turner, CM Board Member 2008-2010

“My dream for this community is a friendly place to meet friends, eat some quality food and drink locally brewed beer. Chatham Marketplace is that dream come to fruition.”
     – David Misenheimer, CM Board Member 2008-2011, 2016-present

“Volunteering on the Board of Chatham Marketplace has been a great experience, rewarding on both personal and professional levels. I have been able to meet other like-minded people while learning a ton about the    co-op business model and how a business is run. Being on the Board gives you a real opportunity to help ensure our store is successful, and continues to enrich our community.”
     – Shane Kirkley, Board member 2012

“I have enjoyed tremendously my years on the board – it has given me the chance to meet many new people, develop a relationship with people I might never had a chance to know and feel like I am part of doing something good for Chatham County and the surrounding areas”
     – Corinne Dunn, CM Board Member 2005-2011.