Board of Directors
Cooperatives are different.
Instead of an exclusive group of investors or executives, co-ops are governed by the voices of their members. Elected democratically from the membership, a Board of Directors guides the vision of the co-op – meaning all members have a voice in how their co-op is run. It’s a pretty empowering system that has helped us grow together since 1973. Oryana’s Board consists of nine Directors who each serve three-year terms. The Board is tasked with establishing and monitoring the co-op’s governance policies, as well as hiring, monitoring, and evaluating the General Manager. They also maintain a fiduciary responsibility to the members to ensure a fiscally sound and viable co-op, protecting the owners’ assets. If you would like to contact the Board directly you can do so HERE.
Learn more about our board and what we’re up to:
Meet Our Board Members | Meeting Minutes | Bylaws | Board Policies
Join us at our next Board of Directors Meeting
The next board meeting will be on Thursday, November 21, at 5:15 pm. at Oryana 10th St. Everyone is welcome.
Meet the Board Q & A – Make your voice heard! If you are interested in running for the board, stop by and learn about active governance and details on the upcoming board election. Join us for a casual meet up with Oryana Board members. Drop in any time between 5:15 and 6:15 pm. Lights snacks provided. RSVP encouraged [email protected]
Policy Governance
Oryana has adopted Policy Governance as its means of governance. Policy Governance is described as:
- Written expectations (policies) that include four areas: Board Process, Board/General Manager Delegation Relationship, Executive Limitations, Ends policies.
- It assigns authority: BOD responsibility (vision and governing) vs. General Manager responsibility (operations.)
- It monitors the system through a series of General Manager reports to the Board. See more about Delegation to the GM here.
- It creates the Ends Policies, which are comparable to goals or visions.
How is our community different because of Oryana? This is the question of impact that is answered by our Ends. The policies are set forth to help guide the operations of the co-op and ensure that our viable business continues to have a positive impact in our community.
The following Ends Policies were approved by the Board in March 2009 and are as follows:
Economy
Because of Oryana, our community has a vibrant cooperative business that stimulates cooperative activity.
Localism
Because of Oryana, our community has an accessible and healthy marketplace for goods produced locally that have a positive environmental and social impact.
Wellness
Because of Oryana, our community has direct access to solutions that contribute to health and wellness.
Education
Because of Oryana our community has opportunities to learn about the interconnectivity between healthful foods, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility.
Community
Because of Oryana, ecologically regenerative and socially just community development efforts are nourished and supported.
Model Workplace
Because of Oryana, our community has a model workplace which demonstrates a professional culture of mutual support and open communications, which is based on the balance of personal and organizational needs.
To learn more about Oryana’s Board, you are welcome to contact us at [email protected] or attend one of our monthly meetings. Board meetings generally take place the third Thursday of every month.