Your co-op, August 2010

This article was originally published in August 2010

Board meeting report

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(l-r) Bob Cross, Chantal Stevens and Alexander Rist ended their board terms in 2010. They are shown here at a June 2 board reception to welcome new trustees.

The 2009-2010 board had its final meeting on June 29. The committee chairs presented year-end reports. The board heard the annual presentation from legal counsel on the trustees’ fiduciary responsibilities. Departing trustees Bob Cross, Alexander Rist and Chantal Stevens each were presented a gift on behalf of the membership to thank them for their service.

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(l-r) Outgoing board chair Stephen Tan and 2010-2011 board chair Julianne Lamsek.

Rist and Stevens completed three consecutive board terms. Cross was appointed by the board in 2009 to complete the final year of Kelly Horton’s board term. (Horton resigned to take a policy position in Washington, D.C.)

The 2010-2011 board was seated officially with newly elected trustees Katrina Basic, Bryan Pearce and John Sheller joining the board. Julianne Lamsek was elected to serve as chair. Lamsek, in her second board term, is director of technology at KCTS–TV.

In accordance with our bylaws, the board members selected one of their fellow trustees, Maggie Lucas, to serve on the 2010-2011 nominating committee. Lucas will join the committee that was elected by the membership in the 2010 election ­— Diana Crane, Janet Hietter, Don Nordness, Rick Riehle and Chantal Stevens.

Next board meeting

The next scheduled board meeting is Tuesday, September 29 at 5 p.m. at the co-op office. Member comments will be heard at 7 p.m.

Talk to the Board

The board members look forward to meeting you during regular visits to our stores. Look for us next at:

  • Healthy Living Fair, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
    Saturday and Sunday, August 21 and 22
    Edmonds PCC

What are Ends policies?

The PCC Board of Trustees works by a method called Policy Governance®. The board translates into policy language the goals they have for PCC. These goals-oriented policies are called “Ends” and they speak, in broad terms, to the board’s current and long-range visions for PCC.

The board reviews Ends policies regularly to make sure they comprise the overarching goals of the co-op: to maintain a balance of economic, social and environmental responsibilities while providing high-quality, healthful food and educating members and patrons on healthy living topics.

It is management’s job to drive PCC to fulfill these Ends. Management reports to the board each year on its understanding or interpretation of the policies. Based on that interpretation, management reports on the actions it has taken to comply with the policies. The board decides whether management’s interpretation of each policy is in line with the board’s intent and then decides whether management’s report demonstrates compliance with the policy.

At least once each year, the board publishes the policies in our member newspaper and they are always posted on our website. The current Ends policy language follows.

Global Ends

PCC exists to create a cooperative, sustainable environment for our members and patrons in which the natural and organic supply chains thrive.

  • Ends A: PCC members and patrons will have access to high-quality, healthful food that is fairly priced.
  • Ends B: PCC membership is a respected and valued choice.
  • Ends C: PCC has a local focus.
  • Ends D: PCC members and patrons are well educated in matters of healthful foods, healthy sustainable living, and the cooperative business model.
  • Ends E: An inherent part of PCC’s business is the balance of economic, social and environmental responsibilities.

In order to help you better understand our policy-based governance structure, please check our website for excerpts from management’s 2010 interpretation of the Global Ends policy and its compliance report.

The board welcomes your ideas and questions. Email them to
board@pccmarkets.com

Also in this issue

Insights by Goldie: Corn Refiners Association: these treacle tricksters are no treat!

While Web surfing recently for items on high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), I was confronted repeatedly with intrusive and unctuous pop-up advertisements. They jumped out from the page, yelling “sweetsurprise.com: Discover The Facts About HFCS, Sugar & Honey Online Today!”

A toast to Powers Winery ... and you!

This June PCC Farmland Trust reached a milestone worth celebrating — our partnership with Powers Winery surpassed $50,000 raised in support of organic farmland preservation. For every Powers’ Farmland Trust Cabernet or Chardonnay bottle sold at PCC Natural Markets, two dollars is donated to the trust.

The Flavor Industry

For thousands of years, spices and sauces and different forms of cooking have flavored our food naturally. So, why is there a multi-billion dollar industry based on replicating these results? The evolution of food flavoring in America began during the Industrial Revolution.