Menomonie Market’s owners elect the Board of Directors (BOD) at the annual general ownership meeting held each fall. The co-op has 7 directors who each serve a 3-year term. There are open positions each year and any co-op member can be nominated to serve.
Policy Governance
Menomonie Market operates under a system called Policy Governance, developed by John Carver in the 1970s. In this system, the only employee that the Board of Directors (BoD) oversees is the General Manager (GM). The GM, in turn, oversees all other employees and the overall operation of the store. The main job of the BoD is to hire and monitor the GM, communicate the needs and desires of the membership into a “plan”, and make sound financial decisions for the co-op.
To assure that the GM is operating according to the values of owners, the BoD creates policies that the GM is required to follow. The GM is responsible for two kinds of policies: Ends Policies, a vision of what the BoD sees as the ideal result of the co-op’s operation, and Executive Limitation Policies, a description of actions and conditions the BoD requires the GM to avoid in operating the co-op (i.e. unwarranted financial risks, poor working environment, etc.).
Director Commitment
Board members commit to confidentiality, attending regular and special meetings fully prepared, sharing ideas, acting in a professional manner, attending training sessions, taking on leadership, serving on committees, and avoiding conflicts of interest. Serving is voluntary; however, board members receive a monthly stipend of $50 credit at the co-op ($100 for the President) and receive the satisfaction of serving a growing organization that provides the community with quality products and education. Board members have a voice in shaping the future of the co-op while working with a group of people who share a commitment to a democratic process and a sustainable local economy.
Menomonie Market’s owners elect the Board of Directors (BOD) at the annual general ownership meeting held each fall. The co-op has 7 directors who each serve a 3-year term. There are open positions each year and any co-op member can be nominated to serve.
Policy Governance
Menomonie Market operates under a system called Policy Governance, developed by John Carver in the 1970s. In this system, the only employee that the Board of Directors (BoD) oversees is the General Manager (GM). The GM, in turn, oversees all other employees and the overall operation of the store. The main job of the BoD is to hire and monitor the GM, communicate the needs and desires of the membership into a “plan”, and make sound financial decisions for the co-op.
To assure that the GM is operating according to the values of owners, the BoD creates policies that the GM is required to follow. The GM is responsible for two kinds of policies: Ends Policies, a vision of what the BoD sees as the ideal result of the co-op’s operation, and Executive Limitation Policies, a description of actions and conditions the BoD requires the GM to avoid in operating the co-op (i.e. unwarranted financial risks, poor working environment, etc.).
Director Commitment
Board members commit to confidentiality, attending regular and special meetings fully prepared, sharing ideas, acting in a professional manner, attending training sessions, taking on leadership, serving on committees, and avoiding conflicts of interest. Serving is voluntary; however, board members receive a monthly stipend of $50 credit at the co-op ($100 for the President) and receive the satisfaction of serving a growing organization that provides the community with quality products and education. Board members have a voice in shaping the future of the co-op while working with a group of people who share a commitment to a democratic process and a sustainable local economy.
Get to know the professionals who meet monthly to set our co-op policies.
After growing up in small town Wisconsin, Rick studied Forestry/Environmental Communication at UW-Stevens Point and Conservation Biology at Western Kentucky University. Over 20 years later, he has worked in land conservation throughout the Midwest, Maine, and Kentucky, moved back to Downsville, and now works for a non-profit conservation organization.
Mariann, an organic crop and livestock inspector, has a passion for organic farming and cooperatives. She, her husband, and two sons live on a farm in Elk Mound where they custom raise organic dairy heifers, and she was previously a Farmer Ambassador Program Leader within the Organic Valley cooperative for several years.
Steve has lived in Wisconsin for most of his life and has primarily worked in the computer industry. Currently he runs a web development and hosting shop from a small farm in Downsville, which he shares with his wife and a select group of animal friends. In his free time, Steve is a prolific blogger, beer and wine maker, and devotee of music.
Susan, a registered dietitian nutritionist, has worked in public health for nine years and currently serves on Eau Claire hunger prevention and wellness committees and on a UW-Stout dietetics advisory committee. She resides in Menomonie with her husband and children and enjoys outdoor activities, cooking, and reading historical fiction in her free time.
Barb is a Wisconsin native who grew up in the country eating mostly wild game and garden produce. She is retired from UW-Stout where she managed the public website, conducted training, and participated in strategic planning and marketing. She has also worked in development and strategic planning for MMFC and other organizations.
Gary, a retired school social worker from the Menomonie school district, now works part time as a mental health educator at Aurora Community Counseling. In addition to serving on our board, he is also on the board for the Bridge to Hope domestic abuse prevention program and continues to be active with the Partners for Resilience Coalition.
Wendy, a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, was the Director of the Dunn County Health Department for 18 years until January 2018. In her free time, she loves to cook and bake. She especially appreciates the fresh, local products available at our co-op, finds co-ops inspiring and innovative, and is having so much fun learning more about our principles.
Read the latest co-op updates and helpful articles written by our Board of Directors.
Imagine a business where the customers are the owners. Imagine a place where customers are neighbors. Imagine an outlet that encourages loca
Menomonie Market owners, the poll is officially open for the 2019 Board of Directors Election! Stop by the store any time between 7:00am on
Calling all candidates! Voting for the 2019 Board of Directors Election begins August 30th, and we are currently accepting applications from
