Due to one of our board members starting a new journey in her life on the opposite side of the country (we'll miss you, Amber!!), the Bethlehem Food Co-Op is seeking an interim board member to serve the organization.

The interim board serves until October 2014, at which point a formal board will be elected by the members. Anyone who is serving on the interim board at that time will be allowed and encouraged to run for the formal board, so this is a perfect opportunity to see if you would like to pursue a nomination! Below, you'll see an outline of what is expected of co-op board members. It is a big commitment, but also a lot of fun and extremely rewarding. If you think you can bring value to the Bethlehem Food Co-Op leadership team and are interested in getting involved, please email a letter of intent, outlining your strengths, skills, and why you would like to serve on the board to [email protected] by May 19. A decision will be made known by June 19.

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

• Attend all board and appropriate committee meetings and functions, such as special events.
• Volunteer at a minimum of 3 events per calendar year (not including standard public, board, or committee meetings)
• 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 committees or task forces and offer to take on special assignments.
• Follow through on assigned tasks relating to Co-Op development.
• Make a personal financial contribution to the Co-op by becoming a full member-owner.
• 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.