Bring Your Leadership to the Board of Directors!

By Mark Muller

I have now served on the Wedge's Board of Directors for the past 2 1/2 years. It has been a fascinating experience, and like most collaborations, it is a roller coaster ride of exciting highs as well as challenging lows. It is also clear, now more than ever, that the increasingly dynamic world of natural foods retail requires organizational leadership that understands the retail business, our community and our mission as a membership-owned cooperative. I urge any members that can provide some of that leadership to consider running for the Board in this fall's elections.

The Wedge is truly a unique business. With $35 million in sales and 260 employees, the Wedge is an economic engine for our region, creating jobs, purchasing products from local farmers and businesses and paying taxes. In a time when diet-related disease has become one of the primary public health issues, the Wedge focuses on providing shoppers with a variety of healthy, organic foods. And as the ecological footprint and the social justice impacts of food choices becomes increasingly clear, the Wedge provides shoppers with better choices, such as locally grown foods, fair trade products, and sustainably produced options.

Furthermore, the Wedge is more than just a retail store. The Wedge's Co-op Partners Warehouse sells $4 million annually of perishable items to co-ops and restaurants throughout the Midwest. And Wedge Worldwide has become a wonderful online resource for fine gifts.

But just as much as doing good business, the future of the Wedge rests on its status in the community and holding true to co-op principles. Other grocery retailers are figuring out how to sell organic products very cheaply. The Wedge's business model, on the other hand, is based on following the spirit of the organic movement, not just the letter of the law. That means the success of the Wedge, as always, depends on providing a great shopping experience to customers, developing strong relationships with farmers, maintaining a great workplace and strengthening the communities where the Wedge does business.

The Board of Directors serves as the membership's voice and provides the long-term vision for the co-op. I personally have had the opportunity to be involved in several aspects of this. One of them is serving on the WedgeShare Committee, the small grants program that has distributed up to $100,000 a year to local nonprofits. I have also helped with the development of a survey to members and other outreach efforts. And shortly after I joined the Board, we undertook one of our most important responsibilities - hiring a general manager.

The Wedge will be a different business five years from now. Given the rapidly changing market, we have no choice. The Board has the hefty responsibility of working with the general manager to maintain a profitable market niche, meeting the needs and expectations of our members and holding true to the co-op principles that help make the Wedge a great place. Please consider submitting an application to become a Board member. Thanks!