Calumet Natural Foods Cooperative
(dba: Clintonville Community Market)
Board of Trustees Application for Nomination

Thank you for your interest in running for the Board of Trustees.  CNFC's Board of Trustees is comprised of seven active members of the Cooperative elected by the member-owners.  CNFC's Bylaws require that Trustee candidates be members in good standing for six months prior to running for a Trustee position.  Any member-owner who became a member on or before March 1, 2011, is eligible to be a Trustee candidate.  Each Trustee serves a two-year term.  The timeline for this election is as follows: Candidates must formally declare their candidacy by submitting the attached application form to the Nominating Committee by August 31, 2011.  A candidate "Meet and Greet" will take place in September.  The ballot will be mailed out to the membership in late September.  The votes will be counted on October 31.  You can expect to begin attending Board Meetings in November of 2011.

Board Trustee Responsibilities

PURPOSE:
The purpose of the Board is to act as trustees for the member-owners and to ensure that the Cooperative produces benefit and value, while avoiding unacceptable actions and situations.

BENEFITS:
Participate in democracy in action; directly impact our community by building a space for healthy food and living; meet your neighbors.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
1)Minimum Requirements:
Attend and participate in monthly Board meetings and scheduled Board orientation and development sessions
Attend and participate in the Annual Membership Meeting and other meetings of owners
Participate as needed in ad hoc Board Committees
2)Attendance and Schedule:
Arrive on time to all scheduled meetings
Be reasonably accessible to member-owners by participating in Co-op events
Fulfill any rotating duties, such as tabling or meeting officer duties
3)General:
Support and further develop Ends Statements and other policies to reflect the needs of the Cooperative ownership
Ensure financial solvency and integrity of the Co-op by reviewing monitoring reports
Support the mission, vision, values, goals and objectives of the Co-op
Support the agreements of the Board of Trustees
Perform tasks conveyed by the Board of Trustees
Understand and participate in Board decision-making processes
Keep informed on the affairs of the Cooperative and be prepared to discuss issues before the Board
Evaluate management and operational performance based on monitoring reports and external audits
Participate in all Board evaluations
Learn about the natural foods industry and cooperative/democratic organizations
4)Connection to Member-Owners:
Consider at all times owner input in decision making
Keep owners informed about the affairs of the cooperative.

Board Trustee Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Member-Owner of the Cooperative for at least six months
Familiarity with the Cooperative Community
Excellent communication skills - clear instructions, open communication, attentive listening
Commitment to the 7 Cooperative Principles and CCM's Ends
Commitment to local, organic, whole foods and sustainability
Understanding of the 10 Principles of Policy Governance
Available to commit to average 8-10 hours a month minimum in order to fulfill the responsibilites outlined above
Basic computer skills, including e-mail and word processing

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Understanding of or willingness to learn financial benchmarks/documents
Experience serving on other boards or involvement in other civic organizations
Knowledge of the qualities of effective boards
Experience drafting policy and understanding policy ramifications
Ability to see big-picture questions facing the board
Leadership skill in facilitating problem solving and providing constructive direction


CCM Ends Statements

1.Build the member-owner base in involvement and loyalty, in accordance with the Cooperative principles, as we maintain an atmosphere where non-members also feel welcome.
2.Serve as a transformative force in our community and work to serve as an alternative sustainable business model that nurtures social and economic well-being in an environmentally sensitive manner.
3.Provide a respectful and safe work environment in which fairly compensated employees have a strong sense of ownership in the success of the Cooperative.
4.Create and sustain an ever-widening circle of community members with healthier and more environmentally restorative lives, in an atmosphere that encourages communication and discourse.
5.Provide access to high quality, reasonably priced food, with an emphasis on local, minimally processed and ethically produced foods.









Application for Nomination 
to the CCM Board of Trustees

If you are interested in running for the Board of Trustees, please return this form to the Nominating Committee (contact information below).  

NAME:

PHONE NUMBER:

EMAIL ADDRESS:

MAILING ADDRESS:

1.Why are you interested in serving as a CCM Board Member?







2.Summarize your work, education and background especially as it relates to cooperatives.







3. What special skills or experiences would you like members to be aware of?









Nominating Committee contact:  Connie Gadell-Newton
Email: cgadellnewton@gmail.com
Mail: Clintonville Community Market, 200 Crestview Rd., Columbus, OH 43202
	Attn:  Connie Gadell-Newton