PCC Board of Trustees report, May 2016

This article was originally published in May 2016

PCC’s Annual Election: April 13 to May 23

2016 PCC board candidates

2016 PCC board candidates: (l-r) Alice Cho Snyder, Tania DePue, Paul Reed and Elin Smith are pictured here following the video session in February.

You’re electing three board members, a new nominating committee and considering amendments to our bylaws.

  • Your ballots must be received by 5 p.m. at the co-op office or by end of business on May 23 at each store.
  • The postage on your home-delivered ballot is prepaid!
  • Simply complete your ballot and drop it in the mail.
  • The special election insert inside this issue of your home-delivered Sound Consumer contains your ballot, biographical information and campaign statements from each candidate, as well as a candidate Q&A designed to prepare you for your voting decisions.
  • Look also for statements from the 2016-2017 Nominating Committee candidates. They are Jason Filippini, Janet Hietter, Mary Simon and Sara Walsh.
  • All of the campaign material, including brief videos with each candidate, is available on our website. You’ll be able to see and hear the board candidates talk about why they’re running.
  • Meet the candidates in person and enjoy some great PCC deli food on May 7, 11 a.m to 1 p.m. at PCC Redmond.

Notice of 2016 annual business meeting

The 2016 ballots will be counted at a public meeting on Thursday, May 26 at 4 p.m. at the co-op office, 4201 Roosevelt Way NE. Results will be posted in our stores, office and website by Monday, May 30.
Questions? Please email board@pccmarkets.com if you have questions about anything related to the election.

Board report

The 2015 annual report with financials and the state of the co-op reports from board chair Julianne Lamsek and CEO Cate Hardy will be available online April 15.

The next board meeting will be Tuesday, May 31 at 4:30 p.m. at a location TBD. Check the website.

Who’s on the board now?

The three members you elect this month will join the following six trustees on the PCC board.

Carol Binder: Third term (second year). Term ends in 2017. Not eligible for renomination due to term limits. Committees: Board Development, Finance, Nominating. Civic volunteer, currently serves on Seattle’s Central Waterfront Advisory Committee. Licensed CPA. West Seattle shopper.

Michael Hutchings: First term (first year). Term ends in 2018. Eligible for renomination. Committees: Board Development, Member Relations, Bylaws Task Force. Business and social purpose attorney; Partner at DLA Piper. Serves on the board of the Washington State Biomedical and Biotechnology Association. Issaquah shopper.

Julianne Lamsek: Third term (second year). Term ends in 2017. Not eligible for renomination due to term limits. Current board chair. Committees: CEO Evaluation (Chair). Technology Director at KCTS 9 Public Television. Cook, bicycle commuter, climber, community volunteer. Greenlake and Fremont shopper.

Maggie Lucas: Third term (first year). Term ends in 2018. Not eligible for renomination due to term limits. Committees: Board Development, Bylaws Task Force (chair). Parent, community advocate, attorney, kayaker, swimmer, gardener, cook. West Seattle shopper.

Sandy Voit: Second term (first year) Term ends in 2018. Eligible for renomination. Committees: Finance (chair), Bylaws Task Force. Divorce financial planner, personal finances counselor. Former dean of students at Bastyr University. Enjoys landscaping, house projects, hiking, cooking and musicals. Redmond shopper.

Bruce Williams: Second term (second year). Term ends in 2017. Eligible for renomination. Committees: Board Development (chair), CEO Evaluation. Serves on the boards of HomeStreet Bank and the Chelan Douglas Land Trust. Greenlake and Issaquah shopper.

Proposed bylaws amendment now available online

Selected revisions proposed for PCC’s bylaws were explained on this page in the April Sound Consumer. The complete set is in the Election Guide inserted in this issue and also online.

Tuesday, May 3, 6 and 8 p.m.
Greenlake Village PCC classroom

Visit with a board member to discuss the proposed revisions.

Why change the bylaws?

This is a much-needed update of the bylaws. The board of trustees has invested a lot of time and effort to bring the bylaws in line with the current needs of the co-op. Please vote yes to support these changes.

— Mary Simon, PCC Trustee 2002-2005, Board Chair 2005

These proposed bylaws revisions will make it easier for PCC members to present initiatives for approval, ensure only the most qualified candidates for board positions are seated, help protect member privacy, and make our cooperative more accountable to members on its commitment to social and environmental responsibility. I encourage all members to vote to approve the proposed revisions.

— Stephen Tan, PCC Trustee 2006-2015, Board Chair 2010

From the Bylaws Task Force

Thank you for participating in your co-op’s governance. We appreciate your time in reviewing the proposed bylaws amendments and your thoughtful submission of your ballot in this year’s elections. The proposed bylaws are the result of months of study and discussion undertaken by a special board task force. Each provision was given the consideration and due diligence our members expect. We are confident the bylaws you are being asked to approve will serve PCC well in preparing our co-op for the future.

Also in this issue

New standards for PCC Health & Body Care

PCC has updated our standards for health and body care products and believe we have the highest standards anywhere. Products are vetted for safety, efficacy, environmental impact, and their non-synthetic status. More than 500 ingredients common in mainstream and some "natural" products are not allowed at PCC.

Soil & Sea: reports from our producers

Can climate change benefit French wine? Why are almond farmers planting a new varietal? Why is West African cocoa under threat? Learn the answers, plus more news from the field.

Your co-op community, May 2016

Families Helping Families, Tilth Edible May Plant Sale, Mom & Me at the Zoo, and more