The Board of Directors is gearing up for the 2015 elections, which will take place April 1-15. As a result, we’re putting out a call to interested owners to consider joining us in our work.

We think that our Outpost owners are some of the most wonderful and amazing people in Milwaukee. You are a group of individuals with diverse backgrounds, strong opinions, varied work and personal experiences who understand the importance of the co-op model.  And we hope that some of you may be interested in becoming more involved in the important work in which we engage.

With the opening of our Mequon store, as well as other exciting initiatives on the docket, the board is currently engaged in amazing conversations related to the future of Outpost, expanding the cooperative economy, increasing access to co-op ownership, goods and services, and doing our part to transform our community through adherence to cooperative principles.

We’d love for you to join the conversation!

First – do you see yourself in the picture of what makes a good board member? 
The legal requirements for board membership are few, but qualifications for effective service are many. The most effective board members possess most (if not all) of these attributes:

• Effective Communicator – Can describe what he or she wants and describe what others want; a good listener
• Consensus Builder – Capable of working toward decisions that all can support and willing to compromise to achieve that goal
• Community Participant – Enjoys meeting a variety of people, can identify the community’s key communicators and reaches out to the community
• Decision Maker – Knows his or her own as well as others’ decision-making styles, can support group decision-making
• Information Processor – Can organize priorities and schedules to handle lots of verbal and written information
• Leader – Willing to take risks, be supportive of board colleagues, Outpost staff and community 
• Team Player – Helps promote the board’s vision and goals

YES? If your interest is piqued, we’d like to invite you to attend our next board meeting at 6 p.m. on January 26, 2015 in the conference room at the Bay View Outpost. Meet current board members and experience the work that we do on a monthly basis.

It’s a requirement that all board nominees attend at least one meeting before running for the board, so if you haven’t done so yet, make it first on your list.

OK, I’ve Already Decided to Run, What Now?
If you decide you’d like to run for the board, you must:

1. Be at least 18 years of age as of May 1, 2015.
2. Be an owner in good standing with the co-op (ownership must be in the applicant’s name, not that of a household member) for at least 30 days prior to the application deadline of February 1, 2015.
3. Attend at least one board meeting (next meeting is January 26).
4. Download the Board of Directors Board Application Packet HERE.
5. Agree to abide by the Directors Code of Conduct (included in application packet).
6. Submit your completed candidate application on or before February 1, 2015.

Should you have questions about candidacy, or any other aspects of board work, we’d also invite you to contact us. Email us at board@outpost.coop with any questions you might have. Or feel free to reach out directly to any current board members you know.

Important Dates to Remember
January 26          Next board meeting      
February 1          Application deadline for prospective board members
March 29             Annual meeting and prospective board member forum (candidates must attend)
April 1-15            Board election

Lori Fredrich

Board Member