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Columinate on FCI Live! and at Principle Six Conference
In late March, Columinate consultants will be presenting at FCI Live! This is a free, online series of one-hour sessions aimed at startup co-ops, led by experienced trainers and co-op leaders. Sponsored by Food Co-op Initiative (FCI), this year’s expanded FCI Live! comprises an impressive roster of over twenty different sessions; see the link above for the full listings and the time of day for each.
Michael Healy: Strengthening Co-op Governance
If you go to the Columinate Library and search CBLD (Cooperative Board Leadership Development), you will find an encyclopedic list of over one hundred governance resources. And a great [...]
Laura King and Leadership Learning Circles
Laura King estimates that most groups spend as much as thirty percent of their meeting time in unproductive behaviors. Groups and leaders often avoid what is difficult, yet they also seek external validation and long for more confidence. In helping identify and change such patterns, King relies on her 25 years of experience exploring adult development—asking leaders to stretch and to build more connected and trusting teams.
Scot Destasio Leaves Lasting Impact During IGM Engagement at The Old Creamery Co-op
During times of transition, Columinate's interim General Managers (IGMs) have helped co-ops stabilize and implement lasting change. IGM and Columinate consultant Scot Destasio had a transformative impact at the Old Creamery Cooperative, located in a traditional "Hilltown" in Western Massachusetts.
Return on Investment of Columinate’s Management on Contract Services
When co-ops enter a time of transition, they can turn to Columinate's group of experts available for contract management services. These folks step in as Interim General Managers (IGMs) to work fast and smart, implementing lasting change for their clients. Ranging from a few months to a few years, IGM engagements are meant to bridge a co-op from Point A to Point B.
Nurturing Inclusion and Diversity on Staff
The Takoma Park Silver Spring Co-op (TPSS) in Takoma Park, Maryland is a cooperative that is known for its diversity and inclusion among staff and customers. Currently, 48 employees from 20 countries work at the food co-op. Creating an atmosphere of welcome and exchange is something that they continually work on.
Laura King and Leadership Learning Circles
Laura King estimates that most groups spend as much as thirty percent of their meeting time in unproductive behaviors. Groups and leaders often avoid what is difficult, yet they also seek external validation and long for more confidence. In helping identify and change such patterns, King relies on her 25 years of experience exploring adult development—asking leaders to stretch and to build more connected and trusting teams.

Just Launched!
The NEW Compensation Database Includes:
GM plus department, and manager roles
trans and non-binary people
and can report BIPOC equity issues and progress
Manager Compensation Examination: Gender Equity Gaps Persist
Three years ago, I presented a webinar with data showing that female food co-op general managers (GMs) were paid significantly less than male GMs. Since then, Columinate has rolled out a new version of the database I drew on for my data, with the ability to collect more detailed and nuanced information. Along with updated data and charts, with help from Mike Houston we have testimonials from co-op managers on the high value of what is shared through the Columinate Compensation Database.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: DEI Teams Can Set a Foundation for Success
Columinate Intercultural Facilitator Darin Short has worked with a range of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) committees, task forces, and teams across many sectors. Darin recently led a workshop, “Why Some Diversity Teams Succeed While Others Do Not” at the Thought Leadership conference in Elkhart, Indiana, in May. “No matter what setting you’re in, DEI is an emotional topic,” says Short. “We need to create safe spaces where people can express their emotions and can say exactly what they need to say with respect for the collective goal.”
Why Are Female General Managers Paid Less Than Men?
Our examination of the compensation database revealed that grocery co-op General Managers who identify as female are paid significantly less than their male counterparts. Here's what the data says.
Michael Healy: Strengthening Co-op Governance
If you go to the Columinate Library and search CBLD (Cooperative Board Leadership Development), you will find an encyclopedic list of over one hundred governance resources. And a great [...]

Columinate Job Board
Use our job board to fill all your local positions.
Laura King and Leadership Learning Circles
Laura King estimates that most groups spend as much as thirty percent of their meeting time in unproductive behaviors. Groups and leaders often avoid what is difficult, yet they also seek external validation and long for more confidence. In helping identify and change such patterns, King relies on her 25 years of experience exploring adult development—asking leaders to stretch and to build more connected and trusting teams.
Manager Compensation Examination: Gender Equity Gaps Persist
Three years ago, I presented a webinar with data showing that female food co-op general managers (GMs) were paid significantly less than male GMs. Since then, Columinate has rolled out a new version of the database I drew on for my data, with the ability to collect more detailed and nuanced information. Along with updated data and charts, with help from Mike Houston we have testimonials from co-op managers on the high value of what is shared through the Columinate Compensation Database.
Caring and Connection: Examples from history show the heart of cooperatives
The feeling of safety and belonging are also common needs and aspirations. It is why solidarity is a core cooperative value. A cooperative is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and/or cultural needs and/or aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise. —International Cooperative Alliance Statement of the Cooperative Identity
Michael Healy: Strengthening Co-op Governance
If you go to the Columinate Library and search CBLD (Cooperative Board Leadership Development), you will find an encyclopedic list of over one hundred governance resources. And a great [...]
Deep Data Dive: Patrick Shabram Offers Market Analysis for Startups and Expansions
Location research consultant Patrick Shabram is a new Columinate member—welcome! Shabram has over thirty years of experience in store location research, market research, and Geographic Information Systems. His clients include both startup co-ops and established food co-ops planning expansion or relocation. Shabram summarizes his professional practice, using current research, as dedicated to providing accurate numbers that support informed decisions by the co-op’s planning group.
Three Retailer Challenges Addressed by Mighty Community Markets Grocery Bootcamp
Independent grocery stores—mom-and-pop shops, food co-ops, and nonprofit-run markets—face unique and persistent challenges. From thin profit margins to limited formal training, retail leaders often find themselves navigating complex work with little support. Mighty Community Markets Grocery Bootcamp, presented by nationally recognized consultant and former general manager Jeanie Wells, was created to directly address key challenges faced by community-minded grocers across North America.
Patrick Shabram Brings Market Research Expertise to Columinate
Columinate is proud to welcome Patrick Shabram as a new consultant. Patrick comes to Columinate after working with location research expert Debbie Suassuna of G2G Research Group since 1998 (specifically, with G2G Research since 2017), bringing more than 30 years of experience in location research, market research, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to the Columinate network.
















