by Jessica Burtt Ashcraft

The purpose of the board, on behalf of the cooperative membership, is to see to it that the cooperative 1) achieves its Ends (appropriate results for appropriate people at appropriate costs) and 2) avoids unacceptable actions and situations (Executive Limitations).

With summer fast approaching comes our annual notice of Board elections which takes place in early fall. This year three seats will be open. Tidal Creek owners will vote during August and September before the Annual Meeting in October.

The Board represents the membership to identify a vision and direction for the Tidal Creek Co-op, and to ensure fiscal responsibility as well as compliance with Board policy. The Board is not involved with the day-to-day operations of running the store. That is the responsibility of our general manager, Christine McElwee. Meetings are lively and full; owners enjoy the opportunity to actively participate in shaping the direction of our homegrown community store, a unique Wilmington business. Board meetings are open to any co-op owner.

If you are a Tidal Creek co-op owner that would be interested in running for the Board position, we encourage you to come to a Board meeting to get a taste of policy governance in action (held on the 4th Monday of each month – 6/23/08 & 7/28/08)). You are also encouraged to talk to individual Board members about what is involved in the job. Any owner of the co-op is eligible to become a Board candidate. A Board term is three years.

Aside from attending the monthly Board meetings, Board members are expected to contribute to committee work, attend general membership activities such as appreciation days, annual meeting and attend annual retreats..

If you want to increase your involvement with your co-op please talk to a current Board member to learn how the board functions. The Board members are listed in every Co-op Current and on the website, www.www.tidalcreek.coop/about/board. You can contact the Board via email at board@www.tidalcreek.coop. If after talking to a Board member you want to put your name in for the election, application will be available at the Co-op Customer Service desk. Deadline for having your name on the ballot is August 18th. Deadline for the candidate spread in the newsletter, which includes responses to application questions, is July 5th.