From the Board President: My Last Column as Board President

At our board meeting on Wednesday, the board is scheduled to approve a motion to appoint a new president to take over the leadership duties as we enter Stage 3 of the Co-op’s development. I’ll give an update on why we’re making the change and who will be stepping up in this role, but first some other board of director news…

Branding the Rooted Carrot

In July, the board approved to move forward with a new brand for our new name by utilizing a trusted expert in this field. Firebrand has extensive experience in the world of food cooperatives, including with brand management. In today’s highly competitive grocery sector, it’s critical that the Rooted Carrot Co-op Market be well positioned in our community. We believe we will be with our new name combined with a smart brand identity from Firebrand. In addition, Firebrand is a cooperative itself, and supporting other co-ops ties directly to one of the 7 Cooperative Principles. Stay tuned for updates on when the new brand will be rolled out.

 

One of our Co-op members shared their design for a new logo. What ideas do YOU have for a new logo?

Financial Work

I know I’m not alone when I say that I’d much rather work on a logo than financial statements. Most people I know would too. But while brand identity is important, building a financial plan for a successful Co-op is paramount. During both of its meetings in July, the board continued its commitment to the long-term sustainability and viability of the Co-op by focusing deeply on three aspects of our financials – current budget plans, the pro forma (the document that outlines how much we need to raise and what our projections will be through Year 10), and our operating cash flow between now and when we launch the capital campaign. I’m pleased to report that all three aspects are looking positive. I’m also pleased to report that the board has made a commitment to share more details about these at the annual member-owner meeting (this year’s event is scheduled in September). Kudos for the board’s commitment to making sure all our finances are in order. 

 Committee Work

In addition to the work of the board itself, board members lead the efforts of six standing committees. Five of these committees (Communications, Membership, Finance, Capital Campaign, and Operations) all have to adjust their purpose and goals as we transition from Stage 2 (Feasibility and Planning) to Stage 3 (Implementation). This is no easy task. Part of the board’s agendas in July were focused on ensuring all our “to do” items are being covered by one of these committees (or our two short-term committees). Also, in July, the board began work on adding a new short-term committee to help with the transition into Stage 3 (more details on this soon). That’s a lot your volunteer board is working on! 

Capital Campaign

In order to start a food co-op, we need to secure millions of dollars. For the Rooted Carrot Co-op Market, that’s roughly $2.8 million. A big chunk of that will be raised through a capital campaign. In July, the board of directors continued its important work of outlining the details for our capital campaign, including what the campaign strategy will be, when to launch, and who will be guiding this work. Like our financial plans, you should expect to learn more about the capital campaign at this year’s member-owner meeting. 

A Change in Leadership

As I mentioned earlier, I will no longer be president of the Co-op board starting in early August. The reason for this is straightforward—the board has appointed me as the new chair of the Capital Campaign Committee. I am incredibly excited about the campaign and I look forward to taking on this role as we move ever closer to opening the doors for our community-owned grocery store. Taking over as the new president is Jodie Huegerich. Jodie has been an incredible champion for the Co-op’s work since joining the board last fall. As I pass the baton to her, I know she is the right person at the right time for our Co-op. Please join me in welcoming Jodie as the new board president! 

On a personal note…

Before I sign out on my last column as board president, I wanted to have the opportunity to share a few personal thoughts about this journey. Not all Co-op members know the story of the Co-op’s beginning. It started back in September of 2012 with a meeting open to the community to discuss the possibility of opening the Co-op. That meeting was held at the Cedar Falls Community Center on a Thursday evening shortly after Labor Day. Four people, including my wife Melanie Drake (previous board member and Outreach Coordinator) and Laura Sether (who has since moved out of the area), organized this meeting following on the heels of the closing of Roots Market. We put together a PowerPoint. We handed out fliers. We bought name badges. And we invited the public to join us. We didn’t know how many would show up or what the interest would be. 

Over 75 people attending the first meeting to discuss a possible co-op. Were you there?

In short, the interest was huge! That night we had over 75 people attend, and 30 people sign up to volunteer to get going on opening a food co-op. (Side note: a few people who signed up then are still volunteering!) From that moment through today, each person who has stepped up to help with this effort has been an inspiration to me. Each time someone spends an hour attending a committee meeting, or helping write bylaws, or staffing a booth in the rain at the Farmers Market, or touring a potential site, or organizing a bike ride, or designing a graphic, or wearing the Rooty costume at a parade on a summer day, or driving through snow to Indiana to attend a conference, or any of the thousands of steps we’ve taken, I get motivated. Each time someone rolls up their sleeves and pitches in with this effort, I become more energized to help as well. That is what has kept me going since we began – the incredible showing of support from all kinds of people. 

 

After that first meeting, we set up a second, this time at the Cedar Falls Library. Shortly thereafter, we established a steering committee to head this effort. I volunteered to serve as the president of the steering committee, and once we incorporated in the fall of 2014, I again volunteered to lead this effort, this time as board president. I’ve been serving in that role ever since.

I tend to be someone who doesn’t dwell on the past, but instead looks ahead. (I am so looking forward to opening day for the Co-op!) But it’s okay to pause and look back, and when I do, I fully admit that I’ve had moments over the years, particularly when the volume of work has been heavy, of wondering: Would I have even started doing this knowing what I now know? It’s been eight years of hard work and still more work ahead before we can shop at our Co-op. Think of all the woodworking projects I could have completed by now. Or new recipes I could have tried out. Or travel. When I wonder about that, I am quickly reminded that while this work has been hard, it has been incredibly enriching for me.

I’m deeply moved by the generosity and spirit of this community that Melanie and I have called home since moving here shortly before that community meeting in 2012. While serving as president, I’ve been rewarded by having the opportunity to meet hundreds of community members, from Independence to Parkersburg. I met a farmer who also is building a home for his growing family. I’ve met students and parents and a fabulous young couple that recently moved here for graduate school and both of them signed up to become members. I’ve meet folks who worked at chain grocery stores who’ve secretly volunteered for the Co-op. I met a woman who recently retired from UNI who has continued to move the needle on this effort despite having to undergo chemotherapy. I’ve shared countless meals with new faces, and I am reminded on a regular basis that helping build a co-op is a rich and rewarding experience in and of itself. No matter what happens with the Co-op this fall, or next year, or 10 years from now, I will be a richer person for the opportunity to have worked alongside so many passionate and amazing people. This is an effort of hundreds of people cooperating together to make this happen. Did you know that the Co-op has logged over 12,000 volunteer hours since incorporation? 

Thank you for the opportunity to serve as president – it’s been an honor. But more importantly, thank you for the opportunity to get to know this community in a deep and profound way. It has been one hell of a ride, and I can’t wait for what’s coming up next!

If you have any reflections about the Co-op’s past, please send me a note tomwick@sbcglobal.net] or add a comment below. I’d love to hear from you!

In cooperation,

Tom Wickersham

 

 

Leave a Reply