Quarterly Board Updates

June 2023

Hello Moonflower Owners and Moonflower Staff,

This year on August 13th, 2023, we are planning a special day of celebration to mark our 10-year anniversary as a co-op in our current location.

Some of our local and regional vendors will be at the store to display and talk about their products. There will be drawings for door prizes throughout the day and free product samples.

We would like to invite all owners, staff and the community to join us for this day of celebration. We want to show our appreciation for the many years of support you have given us. Come join us for a fun time!

MOONFLOWER COMMUNITY CO-OP OWNERS:

Our Annual Owner Meeting and election of Board of Directors will also be held on August 13th, 2023. The meeting will take place at the MARC patio at 5pm. There will be musical entertainment along with food and drinks.

This year, 2 Board seats are up for election. The current Board seat holders may also seek re-election.

Please click the “Serve on the Board of Directors” tab to the left for a list of qualifications and details on how to apply. Submit all questions, letters, and Board applications to board@moonflower.coop. All applications must be submitted by June 29, 2023.

Thank you.

– Your Moonflower Board of Directors

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May 2023

Dear Moonflower Co-op owners,

At our annual board retreat we explored topics of employee retention, food prices, and worked on our 2-5 year strategic vision. We made strides in continuing to raise  our employee wages, so that we are doing our best to support our staff, and so that we remain competitive with other businesses in town. We will continue to revisit this in the future. We also discussed ways that management can increase employee “perks,” such as an increased employee discount.

We are looking at ways to expand our current offerings so that co-op owners are able to do the majority of their shopping at Moonflower. We conducted a survey of owners this spring, and based on what we heard, staff will continue to make quality ingredients standards an ongoing part of  purchasing choices.  In the survey, many members mentioned that the prices at Moonflower affect how they make their purchasing decisions. While continuing to get the best prices from our suppliers and providing an expanded “Moonflower Basics” program, which offers staple goods at discounted prices, we are also working on a campaign that showcases how our prices compare to other local grocers. A traditional benefit of being a member of a food co-op is special ordering, and we found out from our survey that many members are unaware that they can buy cases of items at a discount. You can find the form on our website here or ask staff to help you in the store. We would like to thank all of our members for taking the time to give our board their feedback. We will continue this work to meet the needs of our growing community.

In our strategic visioning process, we explored employee retention as a precursor to any large growth strides.

As we continue to look to the future, we will explore options for growth, such as a change in location for a larger retail and kitchen space.

– The Moonflower Board of Directors

Serve on the Board of Directors!

Members of the Board of Directors provide democratic, representative governance to Moonflower Community Co-op, a member-owned food cooperative. Consider applying to join the Board of Directors today!

The Board plays a vital role in the long-term health and welfare of the cooperative through setting a mission and vision as well as overseeing the General Manager and proactively managing the financial viability of the cooperative.

What is the Board’s role?

The Board of Directors is representative of co-op members/owners and is responsible for the overall well-being of Moonflower Community Cooperative. The Board exercises its authority through its relationship with the General Manager, whom it hires and monitors.

The Board does not involve itself in operational details. They do not make decisions about what the co-op stocks, the specifics of personnel issues, or the day-to-day operations.

Requirements:

The requirements for board service are written in our by-laws, legal documents governing Moonflower’s management. Accordingly, applicants must:

• Be eighteen years of age or older
• Not have any overriding conflict of interest with the cooperative
• Have been a co-op member for at least 6 months prior to the 2023 annual meeting (August 13, 2023)
• Be able and willing to commit up to 10 hours per month and serve a 3-year term
• Prepare for and participate in monthly Board meetings, the annual Board workshop, and the co-op annual meeting
• Be available via phone or email between meetings as necessary
• Not have any demonstrated hostility towards the cooperative or any personal agenda contrary to the best interests of the cooperative

The benefits of becoming a Board member are many, but just a few are:

• Helping to support Moonflower in its mission “to provide socially responsible foods, goods and education to promote a healthy, sustainable community”
• Giving back to the community through your service on the Board
• Helping to diversify the Moonflower Board through your unique background and experience
• Receiving a 20% discount on purchases at Moonflower and a reduced markup on special orders

How to apply:

Download the Board Member Application or pick up at copy at the co-op. Fill out and submit to the co-op or to board@moonflower.coop.

The deadline to apply is Thursday, June 29, 2023. The Board will nominate candidates, and owners will have the opportunity to vote prior to or at the annual meeting on August 13, 2023.

→ APPLY NOW

Moonflower Community Co-op’s (MCC) Board of Directors Policies & Processes describes the co-op’s mission and vision, the responsibilities of the Board, and more.

MCC’s Executive Expectations/Limitations outlines the responsibilities of the General Manager and their relationship to the Board.

MCC’s By-Laws (updated and approved on 8/21/2021 during the 2021 Annual Meeting)