Each month, The Merc Co+op Board of Directors shares the decisions and topics discussed at their most recent meeting, promoting transparency and accountability with co-op owners.
Abbey Reinhardt, Vice President
January Board Report
Abbey Reinhardt, Vice President
Happy 2024, Merc Community,
Your co-op board of directors held its monthly meeting earlier this week. We had a productive discussion about the business of the co-op and we are enthusiastically looking ahead to the year ahead — particularly our upcoming celebration of the Merc’s 50th anniversary. This co-op means a lot to us all, and we are so grateful to the staff, co-op owners, shoppers, and community advocates who have made this achievement possible.
Before our monthly board meeting formally kicked off, our co-op board members also shared some personal reflections and goals about our own ways in which we celebrate and reflect upon a new year. Many of us think about resolutions and goals in different areas of our lives, such as our physical health, our mental health, our family lives, and our professional selves. As we shared these resolutions, many of us could see right away that the co-op’s work in our communities can help us sustain our goals for the year ahead. Whether we are making changes to our eating habits, thinking more about our relationship to drinking, or working to improve our wellbeing in a holistic way, the co-op has knowledgeable staff and the healthy foods that will help us all succeed in reaching these goals.
As your board of directors looks forward to the coming year, we also share a commitment to growing and strengthening our newer Kansas City store’s presence in the community. While the Lawrence location is going on 50-years-strong, The Merc Co+op and co-ops more broadly are a newer addition to our Kansas City neighborhood. KC, make sure to stay tuned for special events and opportunities to give your input on the store here. There will be many exciting things coming in the year ahead and we can’t wait to see you there.
About the Board
The Merc Co+op's Board of Directors is comprised of nine co-op owners who are elected by the general ownership and serve a three-year term. Any co-op owner can run for a board position.
The board creates a set of policies to govern themselves and the General Manager, who provides the group with regular reports on store operations. The board delegates all operational matters to the General Manager.
Board Meetings
All co-op owners are invited to attend monthly board meetings. Early in the agenda, the board reserves ten minutes of space to hear from owners who wish to address the board.