July 2024 Word from the Board

Liz Kolby, Board President

Liz Kolby, Wheatsfield Board President

In a time where so much attention is invested in presidential elections, it’s easy to forget that democracy operates on many levels, including Wheatsfield Co-op.

By now you might have heard, this year marks the 50th Anniversary of Wheatsfield Cooperative! Ten years ago during the 40th Anniversary, I was just getting to know Ames as a newcomer to town and new director on the Wheatsfield Board. For the newsletter, I asked to interview two long-time Wheatsfield members, Barb Walton and Betty Wells. They both graciously agreed, and ended up teaching me a lot about Wheatsfield’s history and how the store had changed over 30+ years. They reminisced about the old store on Douglas Avenue, if peanut butter balls would ever return, and how glad they were that textured vegetable protein was no longer the only vegan option. As they shared, I remember the creeping feeling of insecurity with how little I knew about Wheatsfield as a newcomer, and here I was representing them on the Board of Directors!

Ten years later, I have a little more grace for myself in those early days on the board. Wheatsfield is a robust institution, with members and employees who have been around since nearly the beginning. Adequate continuity and stability of the board allows Wheatsfield to maintain its institutional memory, moorings to the original purpose of the cooperative in alignment with the core values, and has ensured a stable core for membership and store operation.

And for Wheatsfield to continue thriving, the injection of new faces, ideas, experience and skills on the board of directors is needed, too! We are at our best when we preserve capacity while bringing in new directors with an affinity for consensus-based work and a deep care for Wheatsfield. This blend has successfully seen the store through a move to a new location and two major renovation and expansion projects, and operation during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ten years ago, what I lacked in institutional knowledge (and financial aptitude and board experience, if we’re being honest), I made up for in a fresh willingness to serve and learn from the more experienced board members and managers. In retrospect, Barb and Betty were probably grateful someone new was carrying the torch. (If you ask them and I’m wrong… don’t tell now!).

So this Wheatsfield election season, remember that incumbents and previous board experience have an important role, and new faces are welcome and important, too. Whether you’re a long-time member or member number W7999, take a look at the candidate application packet online or printed in the co-op. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, August 12.

Not ready yet or not sure? Reach out to a current board member to learn more, or ask about serving on one of the board committees (Outreach Committee or Finance Committee).

In cooperation!