Are you a member-owner interested in taking the lead towards opening our grocery store? Do you know another member-owner who would be a perfect fit for the board? Nominations are being accepted through August 18!

Any member-owner in good standing is eligible to run for the Bethlehem Food Co-Op board of directors. Board terms are for 3 years. Nominations will be confirmed by the end of August, and a board election ballot will be published in early September. Online ballots will be accepted throughout that month, and in-person voting and election results will occur at our annual membership meeting on 10/2.

To submit a nomination, please fill out the Board of Directors application and email it to [email protected], or connect with a current board member for in-person delivery.

Specific board positions and descriptions will be defined in our bylaws, but all board members would be expected to:

• Attend all board and appropriate committee meetings and functions, such as special events.

• Volunteer at a minimum of 1 event per month when available (not including standard public, board, or committee meetings)

• Take the lead on planning a minimum of one event per calendar year, which can be done in cooperation with other board members, committee members, or member-owners

• Be informed and able to communicate about the Bethlehem Food Co-Op mission, services, policies, and programs.

• Review agenda and supporting materials prior to board and committee meetings.

• Serve on at least one committee or task forces and offer to take on special assignments.

• Follow through on assigned tasks relating to Co-Op development.

• Inform others about the Co-op.

• Suggest possible nominees to the board who can make significant contributions to the work of the board and the Co-op.

• Keep up-to-date on developments in the cooperative business and food realms.

• Follow conflict-of-interest and confidentiality policies.

• Assist the board in carrying out its fiduciary responsibilities, such as reviewing the organization's annual financial statements.

• Follow all other policies as defined by the bylaws.

Board members should possess the following traits:

• Ability to: listen, analyze, think clearly and creatively, work well with people individually and in a group.

• Willing to: prepare for and attend board and committee meetings, ask questions, take responsibility and follow through on a given assignment, contribute personal and financial resources in a generous way according to circumstances, open doors in the community, evaluate oneself.

• Develop certain skills if you do not already possess them, such as to: cultivate and solicit funds, cultivate and recruit board members and other volunteers, read and understand financial statements, learn more about the substantive program area of the organization.

• Possess: honesty, sensitivity to and tolerance of differing views, a friendly, responsive, and patient approach, community-building skills, personal integrity, a developed sense of values, concern for the co-op's development, a sense of humor.