We in the Dublin Food Co-op believe that every co-operative is only as good as its members. If you are interested in a leadership role that will have an impact across our whole wider community while facilitating the needs of our members, then serving on the Co-ordinating Body (the Board of Directors) could be just what you are looking for. This is an exciting opportunity to be involved in the leadership of a vibrant food co-operative with a strong track record and big plans for building a more sustainable and just world!
Six CB seats will be up for (re-)election at our next Annual General Meeting on Saturday 17th June 2023. If you believe you could fill one of them or if you know someone suitable, then complete the enclosed form and return it to the Co-op before noon on 9th June 2023.
Role of the Co-ordinating Body (Board of DIrectors)
In summary, it is to provide leadership to the Co-op while ensuring that all legal and financial obligations are met and that the Dublin Food Co-op effectively serves its members and the wider community as per its vision, mission and strategy.
Specific Responsibilities of Directors
Commitment to the success of the Dublin Food Co-op, support for its values and co-operative principles
Attendance at all CB meetings: 12 two hour meetings per year are the norm.
Strategy development and shaping.
Monitoring that the management of our co-operative is consistent with the Dublin Food Co-op vision, core values and strategy.
Membership in sub-committees as required – each CB member is usually on one sub-committee which meets four times per year.
Work co-operatively with others to represent the entire membership.
Represent the Dublin Food Co-op within our wider networks and broader co-operative movement.
In addition, the legal duties of Directors may be summarised as:
To act in the best interests of the Dublin Food Co-op as a whole.
To ensure the co-operative is run responsibly and sustainably (not in a negligent or reckless manner).
To ensure that the Dublin Food Co-op complies with ongoing legal and other requirements.
Tenure
3 years.
All CB members will be Directors of the co-operative society Dublin Food Co-operative Society Limited; an industrial and provident society registered with the Registrar of Friendly Societies.
Criteria for Board membership
In order to be considered eligible for membership of the Co-ordinating Body of the Dublin Food Co-op, nominees must:
Commit to attend all board meetings and trainings, unless they have a reasonable excuse
Be a paid up member of the Dublin Food Co-op for at least six months on the date of the AGM
Be demonstrably committed to the advancement of the values and vision of the Dublin Food Co-op.
All nominations will be reviewed by our Nomination & Governance committee before approval is given to run on the ballot sheet.
Election Process
Opening of nominations process to members: 23rd May 2023
Nominations can be made through the online form (you can get a paper form by emailing secretary@dublinfood.coop)
All nominations must be registered with the Dublin Food Co-op by noon on 9th June 2023.
All nominees to be reviewed by the Nomination and Governance Committee of the CB before the 17th June 2023 and a list of eligible nominees is compiled.
If there are more eligible nominees than vacancies on the Board to be filled, a ballot paper and accompanying list of eligible nominees with a brief summary of their experiences to date (taken solely from the nomination form) will be circulated to the Dublin Food Co-op’s voting members before the AGM.
The conduct of the election is the responsibility of the Returning Officer who will rule on all issues relating to it. The Dublin Food Co-op’s Returning Officer in 2023 is the Co-operative Secretary, Sam Toland.
Current and retiring Board members of the Dublin Food Co-op.
Retiring/Rotating members are denoted by “R”. Marina Lambrakis and Jonas Poulsen is seeking re-election under our rules, and will be standing for re-election.