• laughter at csa fair

About our Board of Directors

Our board of directors are co-op owners passionate about Seward Community Co-op and the cooperative business model. Our directors bring a wealth of varied backgrounds and skills to the board. More info is available on our Board of Directors page.

Board Role and Duties

The board of directors exists to establish and articulate the vision for the future of the co-op. In addition, other key roles of the board are to hire and oversee the general manager, monitor the performance of the co-op relative to its Ends Statement, and ensure continuity of excellence in governance.

  • Attend monthly board meetings— about 2.5 hours long, typically 9–10 times per year. Attendance at monthly board meetings is required.
  • Attend annual board retreat and board training sessions, including at least one day-long session per year.
  • Prepare for board meetings by reviewing policies and analyzing reports.
  • Serve on committees and work groups of the board as needed.
  • Check board email account and reply to emails as needed between meetings.
  • Attend seasonal Co-op events to represent the Board of Directors.
  • Maintain familiarity with the co-op’s governance procedures and policies, critical issues, and vision for the future.
  • Act prudently in making decisions on behalf of the co-op.
  • Understand the legal responsibilities of serving on the board.
  • Serve as an ambassador to other co-op owners and our community.

Eligibility

All candidates must be an owner of Seward Co-op.

All candidates are required to attend one online board meeting and one candidate information session to be eligible to run in the election.

Board meetings are held virtually on the last Tuesday of each month, calling to order at 6:15 p.m. This year’s information sessions have already passed.

Upcoming meetings are May 27 and June 24. Candidate info sessions will be held before both of these board meetings, starting at 5:15p.m., and a standalone info session will be scheduled in July based on candidates’ need.

Become a Candidate

If you’d like to attend a board meeting and a candidate info session (or have any other questions), send an email to board@seward.coop.

At the candidate info session, interested candidates learn more about what the board does and receive the Candidate Application Packet, which includes a job description, stipend info, and the application itself. The application requires filling out a form and writing a short essay, due by Monday, Aug. 1. If you’d like a clearer representation of the timeline for potential candidates, click here for the candidate timeline.

Candidates are also strongly encouraged to attend the Aug. 26 and Sept. 30 board meetings. The 2025 election will start on Sept. 30 and run until Oct. 26. The results will be announced the next day at the Annual Owner Meeting on Oct. 27.