Governance for Co-op and Nonprofit Boards Part 1
Often challenges within the board stem from a lack of agreements about governance. Cooperatives and nonprofit organizations differ in key ways from private corporations. Perhaps most importantly, operating within a defined social purpose requires skillful and conscientious governance by the board of directors—and the board’s leadership is felt throughout the entire organization. Governance is the act of steering an organization toward success. It consists of answering key questions, defining roles and responsibilities, and establishing processes for setting expectations and ensuring accountability.
New Tax Credits and More: Notes on the Inflation Reduction Act
As part of the grocery industry, we have all felt the pain of the recent inflation seen in our economy. Like many people, I have looked for the Biden administration’s response to the newest stage of these “unprecedented times.” Well, that response, at least in part, has happened. On August 16, 2022, the president signed into law the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The law itself is over 700 pages long, and practitioners from a variety of industries have now had some time to study it. While the bill’s effect on future inflation is indeed questionable, there is no doubt that it mandates the biggest climate-related investment made by the federal government in US history.
GM Development: Opportunities for General Manager Growth and Learning
Two upcoming classes in the GM Development program cover interesting and relevant topics for diverse general managers, but especially those who are new to their position. The first is called “Co-op Culture, Diversity, and Engaging Stakeholders.” It explores the way cooperative culture helps a general manager bring together all of the relationships within their co-op. The course also focuses on increasing and strengthening diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within participating co-ops.
Co-op Cafe Supports DEI Work by Weaver Street Market Board
The 2022 series kicked off in May with invigorating conversations around how the cooperative principles could advance our commitment to a more equitable future. Co-op members from across the country joined these discussions and grappled with questions such as: Do we need an 8th cooperative principle aimed at equity and inclusion?
Taking Control: For resident-owned communities, Marcia Sprague provides community and board trainings
Columinate has a small team of organizers, trainers, and governance specialists who work specifically with resident-owned communities. The team offers "bench strength" to ROC USA®, and ROC affiliates work by providing communities with temporary team members who pitch in to do the work of community organizing, governance coaching, and co-op education and training. Meet Marcia Sprague.
Cooperative Board Leadership Development: Mid-Year Report
The Columinate Cooperative Board Leadership Development (CBLD) program provides annual board support that includes monthly consulting, facilitated board retreats, board training, and resource development. CBLD helps boards take advantage of their collective knowledge and talents, identify their annual goals, and connect with specific resources for their challenges of the moment. The program is run and staffed by industry professionals with experience and expertise in a variety of areas, and it can help to broaden the knowledge base each co-op has to draw upon to meet their goals.
Larger Ambitions for the Columinate Job Board
Changing careers can be one of the most stressful tasks we face as adults. So much of our identity is tied up in our work, and many of us want to find a job that reflects our values or that adds something back to the world. When you start looking at the multitudes of job postings that are out there, the variety of what is available can be overwhelming. The uncertainty of personal and cultural alignment makes knowing where to look for job postings a challenge. Columinate hopes to change that.
Interim General Manager Spotlight: Introducing Brandon Kane
New Columinate consultant Brandon Kane has areas of expertise that include business development and operational and financial improvement. He offers interim general manager (IGM) services and can help assess retail performance, including developing strategic plans for rapid implementation. Kane answered some questions about what brought him to Columinate and his areas of focus.
Interim General Manager Spotlight: Introducing Chris Morris
New Columinate consultant Chris Morris has diverse areas of expertise that include retail operations leadership, training and development, and merchandising. He can help co-ops looking for a culture and diversity champion or for community partnerships. Morris also has experience and knowledge in management transitions and the FDA Food Code. Chris Morris answered some questions about what brought him to Columinate and about his areas of focus.
Dana Tomlin: Helping the River Valley Co-op team
River Valley Co-op, located in western Massachusetts, opened its second location in the summer of 2021. Amid a raging global pandemic, debilitating supply disruptions, and unprecedented worker shortages, they were able to open the doors of the beautiful net-zero facility and welcome the residents of Easthampton. The co-op saw great success in its original location, growing sales to over $30M since opening their doors in 2008. However, weaknesses of the original location carried over to the challenges of launching a second store, and within a few months of opening the Easthampton location, General Manager Rochelle Prunty was looking for some help. Enter Dana Tomlin.