Thank you to all who joined us virtually for the 2020 Annual Owner Meeting. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 is the first time in Seward Co-op’s 48 years that we hosted a virtual annual meeting. A recording of the Annual Meeting is available to view on Vimeo.
The 2020 meeting featured a dynamic and powerful panel discussion featuring Resmaa Menakem, Mankwe Ndosi, and Sophia Benrud—activists, artists, and community organizers whose work is at the forefront of Black liberation and racial justice. Seward Co-op Board President, LaDonna Sanders-Redmond facilitated the discussion, and shared her hope for our co-op community to “articulate a vision of community that is free from white supremacy.” Through conversation, song, and movement, the panel centered on the co-op’s role in the movement for racial justice and liberation in our communities- a movement that holds parallel values of abolition with cooperative history and principles.
We examined the modern definition of abolition and what the activity of an abolitionist is today. When the panelists mentioned abolition, it is in the context of ridding ourselves of oppression, to build a world that is free from the patterns and structures of white supremacy. Resmaa re-emphasized the words of Mankwe, Sophia and LaDonna in saying, “Being an abolitionist or abolitionism is not just about a concept. Being an abolitionist is about what you do. It is about using something and about using your body to make things change.” Challenging the notion that being an ally is a marker you can claim for yourself, Resmaa asked those who occupy white bodies to examine how and where they are actively showing up for racial justice. When we recognize the advantage our bodies hold, only then can we strengthen our entire community and gain true abolition for all.
Cooperative and abolitionists movements are built on and continue to live through the actions of individuals and communities. Developing an antiracist culture is an embodiment of being an abolitionist. Embodying abolition and abolitionist activity is acting in alignment to our cooperative values. In cooperatives, we can embody a culture of action- intentional, community-based justice strengthened by our history of collaboration.
We invite you to watch the recording of the annual meeting—found here—to hear directly from our panelists on how we as individuals and cooperative community can develop living, embodied antiracist practices and culture. We also encourage you to follow the work of our panelists, and to examine what action you can take to be actively antiracist. Seward Co-op staff and board extend deep gratitude to guest panelists Mankwe Ndosi, Resmaa Menakem, and Sophia Benrud for this challenging and motivating discussion.
An integral piece of the annual meeting is the announcement of the board of directors election results. Congratulations to Vina Kay, Warren King, Kate Seybold and Claire Purvey Houston! Together with current directors, these co-op owners are responsible for articulating the vision and goals for Seward Co-op that management pursues and achieves. The 2020 election featured a large pool of highly qualified candidates. Thank you to all who ran, and all who voted. And thank you to Roderick McCulloch for their year of service as a designated employee director.
In order to keep the co-op’s articles and bylaws up to date, the board of directors endorsed four proposed articles and bylaws changes. Co-op owners also voted to approve the four proposals; view them here.
During the annual meeting, the 2020 Scorecard was made available. New this year is a digital Scorecard/Annual Report that can viewed here. We invite you to scroll through to read more details on how Seward Co-op has met our Ends Statement, or mission. To obtain a print version of the 2020 Scorecard/Annual Report, please submit a request through our customer comment tool.
At the annual meeting, we also announced the 2021 SEED recipients selected by a staff-led committee, our People Powered Perks recipient and the result of the Community Choice vote. This year’s People Powered Perks grant recipient is Full Cycle Bike Shop.
Through a Community Choice vote, Seward Co-op owners and customers are invited annually to select four of twelve 2021 SEED recipients. All SEED Community Choice finalists receive a $1,000 grant through the Seward Community Fund. The four organizations selected as 2021 SEED Community Choice recipients are: Immigrant Law Center of MN, North American Indigenous Food Systems (NATIFS), St. Stephen’s Human Services, and Open Arms of Minnesota. View the complete 2021 SEED recipient calendar here. Thank you to all those community members who voted!
Thank you to board members Sally Nixon for hosting the annual meeting, and LaDonna Sanders Redmond for panel facilitation. Again, thanks to our guest panelists Mankwe Ndosi, Resmaa Menakem, and Sophia Benrud . We invite you to support and learn more about their work in our communities. We would also like to thank Van Nixon for the wonderful live music. A tremendous thank you to Pollen who helped to provide an engaging virtual annual meeting. Thank you very much to the co-op staff, and board of directors committee who helped to plan, organize, and execute the 2020 Annual Owner Meeting.
