February 2025
Have you ever wondered what Co-op Board Members are responsible for? Learn about the role of the Co-opportunity Market Board and meet our newest members below.
Our Board has nine members, where we elect three members each year for a 3-year term. This year, we are excited to welcome back our incumbent, John Fischette, who will continue serving as Board Vice-President. We are also thrilled to welcome new Board members Mariangela Hill and Esprit Smith who began their three-year term in January 2025. You can learn more from everyone who serves on the Board here.
Those who are new to a co-op model often assume that board members are involved in the day-to-day operations of Co-opportunity Market. In fact, that is not what the board does at all—we do not tell our CEO, Cindy Chikahasa, who to hire, which buyers to purchase from, or what to stock at the store. The Board of Directors represents Co-op Owners in that it is responsible for supporting overall strategic goals and the policy parameters through which these goals will be met, through our Ends Policy. Our CEO, who is the only staff member recruited and hired by the board, is the one who is responsible for running the store and providing the board with monthly reports so we can ensure that we are going in the direction we set.
While the Ends Policy helps shape the “big picture,” the Board has its own set of policies, put together using the Policy Governance® model, to ensure that we are run effectively and that we have clear expectations in place for anyone joining the board. All Board members also have a fiduciary duty to Co-op owners as a whole and to the co-operative as a business enterprise. Given that being a board member is a voluntary position that requires a commitment of time and effort, we are individuals who care deeply about our Co-op’s role in our community, its commitment to supporting local farmers and providing healthy choices to all its customers. Even with a single location, the Co-op is a complex organization given the number of staff members, Owners and vendors it supports. We appreciate our Owner community’s trust and understanding as we continue to navigate the many needs the Co-op serves, especially in these trying times.