Board of Directors

Candidate Application Packet

Download a PDF version.

The Merc Co+op will be a thriving consumer-owned food cooperative in our region that is on the forefront of:

  • Providing access to healthy, local, organic food and products;

  • Transforming and nourishing the health of our community;

  • Creating a robust, sustainable local food economy;

  • Demonstrating hospitality, generosity and care for the environment;

  • Building a community based on justice, equity, diversity and inclusion.

Dear Co-op Owner and potential Board of Directors candidate,

We are pleased that you are interested in running for The Merc Co+op’s Board of Directors. In this packet, you will find helpful information to guide you through the election process. Two of the seven board positions are open for this year’s election. We ask that candidates attend a board meeting held at the store at 901 Iowa Street, Lawrence, KS so that you can see how our board operates. Virtual attendance is an option. Please send an email to let us know which meeting you would like to attend. The 2026 dates are Monday June 8, August 3 and September 14 at 6:30 p.m. There will be time set aside during the meeting for candidate questions. Should you need accommodations related to transportation, childcare or another reason to attend the board meeting, please contact us by email.

Sincerely,

Mark Sprague, Election Committee Chair and The Merc Co+op’s 2026 Board of Directors:

Hans Carttar, President; Anthony Lang, Vice President; Emily Green, Secretary; Brad Rossini, Treasurer; Alison Gruber and Deon Whitten

BACKGROUND AND INSTRUCTIONS

Thank you for your interest in becoming a director! Serving on the board is a rewarding experience as it offers directors an opportunity to participate in their consumer-owned food co-op in a more meaningful way. It is also a great way to learn more about the co-op’s community impact while playing a key leadership role in ensuring that we thrive for many years to come.

STEP 1: Learn more about the board and its system of governing. This packet is designed to provide you with basic information regarding the board’s work and system of governance. If you would like additional information related to the board’s work, you are encouraged to contact our board members. Learning more about the board will help you decide what level of commitment is necessary and whether this will be a productive and rewarding experience for you. Materials available for step one, and background information on the co-op and the board are available on our website:

• Board meeting minutes

• Current board members

STEP 2: Complete and submit the Application Form and Conflict of Interest forms below. We need to know more about you and your skills, and how your skills would enhance your ability to be an effective director. The deadline for submitting an application is Monday, September 21, 2026. The board will review your application and be available to answer questions by contacting the Elections Chair Mark Sprague.

BOARD STRUCTURE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Merc Co+op is governed by a Board of Directors that is elected by member-owners of the co-op. The board is directly accountable to the ownership for the activities and accomplishments of the cooperative. Specifically, it is responsible for:

  • Interacting with owners to understand their needs, values and visions for The Merc Co+op.

  • Developing, monitoring and revising a body of policies that guide the General Manager and board to achieve outcomes that are consistent with our owners’ values and vision.

  • Ensuring, through consistent monitoring mechanisms, that management achieves the goals set by the board and that the board operates according to its established processes.

The board fulfills its responsibilities through a system of governance called Policy Governance as originally developed by John Carver. Learn more about Policy Governance.

ELIGIBILITY AND EXPECTATIONS

Eligibility, expectations and qualifications of board membership include:

  • Being an owner in good standing and being at least 18 years of age.

  • Stating all potential conflicts of interest on application and not having an overriding conflict of interest.

  • A commitment to the board for the length of your term.

  • Familiarity with and adherence to The Merc Co+op’s Bylaws, Policy Governance and Code of Conduct.

  • Preparation for and active participation in monthly board meetings.

  • Attendance at board training sessions and the Annual Co-op Meeting.

  • Ability to understand financial statements with training.

  • Access to the Internet and availability to respond to frequent board work-related online communications.

  • A willingness to take responsibility for board duties and to work together with understanding, mutual support and respect.

  • An ability to keep information and materials confidential.

  • Integrity, flexibility and common sense.

  • Elected board members who wish to serve as board officers must undergo a background check.

  • Co-op staff members are not eligible to serve on the board.

DIRECTOR QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIRED COMMITMENT

The Merc Co+op is seeking board candidates who are:

  • Interested in learning about and supporting cooperative values and principles.

  • Willing to participate actively in discussions.

  • Good at working in a team environment that prefers to make decisions by consensus.

  • Willing to delegate areas of decision making to others and hold them accountable for results.

  • Willing to set aside any personal agendas to honor the diversity of owner perspectives.

  • Willing to take on a “servant-leader” role and serve The Merc Co+op through active engagement.

Without question, governing an organization effectively is a serious commitment. Board members are expected to prepare for and actively participate in board meetings and stay engaged between board meetings, owner events and occasional training sessions. The board is a team, sharing responsibilities in a way to make its work a manageable part of members-owners’ lives. The term of a director lasts for three years.

Serving on The Merc Co+op’s Board of Directors: What to Expect

  • Meetings are normally held on the first Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the co-op, with an option to join virtually.

  • Directors need to check their email at least twice a week and respond to board electronic communications. This should be done daily the few days leading up to a meeting.

  • New directors attend a one-day orientation that may require out-of-state travel and at least one overnight stay.

  • All directors attend an annual board retreat that is typically one day.

  • Attendance at owner events is expected.

Below is an example of the time you can expect to spend in a given month:

  • Meeting preparation — about 2 hours

  • Monthly board meeting — 2.5 to 3 hours

  • Committee work — 0 to 1 hour

  • Misc. (writing for blogs/newsletters, email communication, professional development, tabling at owner events, retreat preparation)

  • = Total hours of work: 6–12 hours monthly

BOARD ELECTION TIMELINE

The co-op conducts elections using electronic and written voting. If possible, we need your completed application in advance of the deadline to allow time to prepare the electronic materials.

  • Friday, May 9

    • Applications available online and in store. Reach out to the board by email with questions.

  • Monday June 8, August 3, September 14

    • Candidates asked to attend ONE board meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the co-op.

  • Monday, September 21

    • Application deadline. Application packets must be completed and received by this date. They are to be sent by email to the Elections Chair to be published.

  • Monday, September 21

    • Date of Record (owners as of this date can vote in the election and attend the Annual Owner Meeting).

  • Wednesday, September 23 — Monday, November 9

    • Elections. Ballots accepted in-store and online.

  • November 14

    • Annual Co-op Meeting with announcement of successful candidates.

2026 Board Application Form

Candidate Conflict of Interest Statement and Disclosure

I agree to abide by Board Policy B5 Code of Conduct and any subsequent changes the board makes to that policy. I agree that if, in the opinion of the majority of the co-op’s Board of Directors, I have violated the letter or spirit of this agreement, I shall resign my position on the board immediately and shall not seek to cause continued disruption to the co-op and the co-op board for that action.

Policy B5: Code of Conduct

The board commits itself and its directors to ethical and responsible conduct.

B5.1: Directors have the following responsibilities:

B5.1.1: Base decisions on the interest of the Owners as a whole and the cooperative’s policies and bylaws.

B5.1.2: Avoid conflicts of interest. If a conflict of interest occurs, the board member should not participate in or be present for related decisions or votes.

B5.1.3: Perform board duties with integrity and prudence.

B5.1.4: Prepare for and attend all board meetings; notify the board president when an absence is unavoidable. Board member participation is crucial to a high functioning board.

  • If a board member is unable to attend a meeting they must contact the board president directly and in advance. If a board member is absent and does not notify the board president in advance, the board president will follow up directly with the board member.

  • If a board member misses two meetings (with advance notice), then the board president will follow up directly with the board member.

  • Details will be kept confidential when appropriate.

  • Board meetings will be set as far in advance as possible (ideally for the entire calendar year) and will take into account holidays.

B5.1.5: Promote deliberations that are civil, fair, open, and thorough, but also timely, orderly, and to the point.

B5.2: Directors shall not exercise individual authority over the cooperative

B5.2.1: Other than restating board decisions and policies, directors shall not speak for the board to Owners, the general public, the press or others.

B5.2.2: Directors shall not voice negative judgements of the General Manager, staff, or the board.

B5.2.3: Directors shall refer Owners and the general public, who have comments or concerns with the operational issues, to the General Manager.

B5.2.4 As representatives of the co-op and its owners, directors will not exhibit violent, oppressive, or racist behaviors or speech.

B5.3: Directors shall maintain confidentiality appropriate to sensitive issues such as financial, personnel and other issues as defined by the board.