Re: Accepting applications for VFC Board
Rory Bowman
Did none of the current board attend or review the recent, October 1,
webinar on "Governance and Accountability?" (Slides and resources are
available from http://cdsfood.centraldesktop.com/fc500registration/ )
Given that five of nine elected board members are gone, I think it
only fair to advise you that any additional appointments will only
look (and be portrayed) as the founding faction "stacking the deck"
with agreeable dupes, *especially* if these are relatively new members
recruited for the task. If you need more bodies, I would suggest
reviewing the "founding team" model used by Just Foods whereby a team
that is separate and distinct from the board undertakes operational
tasks until a GM can be hired.
A fundamental strategic error that VFC has *always* made is confusing
governance with operations and violating key principles of delegated
autonomy. This wastes time (by undoing and revisiting previous
decisions) while destroying volunteer morale (by ignoring and
destroying contributions). With an odd number of board members there
is absolutely no need for more now, and consideration of the "founding
team" model would go a long way toward resolving the governance/
operations confusion that has long plagued VFC. Adding more board
members will no more help VFC than more US troops would help "win" the
occupation of Iraq.
I would strongly suggest that the current board look at spending the
next few months getting their own house in order and educating the
ownership and public as to progress in that task. If properly executed
and conveyed to the ownership, this is in keeping with the fifth and
second cooperative principles. Elections will add new board members
soon enough, but perpetually adding more novices to a dysfunctional
team does nothing to make it more functional. Opening board trainings
and progress to the wider ownership might do do a lot.
Look at VFC's stated goals, timelines, owner numbers and progress. In
what possible way does doubling the number of board numbers do
anything to improve or resolve those?
On Oct 17, 2008, at 7:17 PM, vancou...@vancouverfood.coop wrote:
> The Vancouver Food Co-op board is accepting applications for board
> members. We currently have 4 open positions. These positions would
> fulfill the rest of the term which ends in May 2008. If you would
> like to run for re-election at that time you could.
>
> How the process works:
> Email or mail a letter of interest and a resume to
> vancouverfood@vancouverfood,coop
> or VFC 1701 Broadway #B Vancouver WA, 98663 by October 30th, 2008.
> The board will then set up interviews for all candidates. The
> selection of replacement board members will then be made by a vote
> of current board members.
>
> Being on the board is a privilege and benefit for you as a VFC
> owner. We are a great group, working hard at opening the co-op and
> are excited by how far we have gotten and how close we are getting.
> Time commitment: Min. one board meeting and worksession a month (1st
> Wed of the month 6:00pm-8:30pm), board training as needed,
> involvement in one committee or project.
>
> We hope you will consider applying and being an integral part of the
> first Food Co-op in Vancouver.
>
>
>
> >
Rory Bowman, Mac...@macrory.com, (360) 666-7679
MacRory.Com Macintosh Consulting, Services & Training
"I optimize Macs & teach people to use them." http://www.macrory.com
anja
this string is that the VFC board seems to be yet again unwilling to
acknowledge the usefulness of a co-op set-up. The nominating committee
forming to get candidates together for the election (evidently they
think such a committee can and should be bypassed by having the board
members appointed beforehand) is the only thing that should be
happening right now, besides not losing more members. I don't
especially want to get some response back from the VP claiming that
such a committee is vigorously doing it's thing, it always rings
hollow when she makes claims like this after the fact. If she uses the
phrase "since day one" again I'm going to erupt into flames. Happily
(or not) I never could persuade her to read this forum.
>
>
>
> > The Vancouver Food Co-op board is accepting applications for board
> > members. We currently have 4 open positions. These positions would
> > fulfill the rest of the term which ends in May 2008. If you would
> > like to run for re-election at that time you could.
>
> > How the process works:
> > Email or mail a letter of interest and a resume to
> > vancouverfood@vancouverfood,coop
> > or VFC 1701 Broadway #B Vancouver WA, 98663 by October 30th, 2008.
> > The board will then set up interviews for all candidates. The
> > selection of replacement board members will then be made by a vote
> > of current board members.
>
> > Being on the board is a privilege and benefit for you as a VFC
> > owner. We are a great group, working hard at opening the co-op and
> > are excited by how far we have gotten and how close we are getting.
> > Time commitment: Min. one board meeting and worksession a month (1st
> > Wed of the month 6:00pm-8:30pm), board training as needed,
> > involvement in one committee or project.
>
> > We hope you will consider applying and being an integral part of the
> > first Food Co-op in Vancouver.
>