Willy Street Co-op is owned by more than 33,000 active Owners, governed by a Board of Directors, and operated by a paid staff. Owners have always been the backbone of the Co-op, supporting it financially and participating in governance.
Board of Directors | Committees | Bylaws | Policies | Global Ends Policy
Board of Directors
Sarah Larson, Board President | Ashwini Rao, Vice President | Carol Weidel, Board Member | Tatiana Dennis, Board Member | Isabel Spooner-Harvey, Board Member |
Nancy Ranum, Board Member | Gigi Godwin, Board Member | Anthony Hernandez, Board Member | Ike Ross, Board Member | |
General Manager | Corporate Secretary |
Board Meeting Schedule (Note: Board meetings are open to Co-op Owners only, or those who receive approval from the Board to attend. To request permission to attend, please email all-board@willystreet.coop)
Approved Board Meeting Minutes
Incorporated in September of 1973, Willy Street Co-op was born into a politically charged atmosphere. Founding members felt a need to make a statement to support an alternative way of life. Over forty years later, Willy Street Co-op continues to provide alternatives–offering the finest in natural and organic foods; maintaining a safe, participatory workplace; supporting local businesses and suppliers; and operating the store efficiently for the long-term benefit of Owners and the community.
Willy Street Co-op is a consumer-owned cooperative governed by a Board of Directors and operated by a paid staff. Owners have always been the backbone of the Co-op, supporting it financially and participating in governance.
The Board of Directors welcome your comments by email:
Email all-board@willystreet.coop contacts all Board members, the General Manager, the Board administrator, and relevant personnel.
Email board@willystreet.coop Goes to Board members only.
As a cooperative, we are committed to being responsive to our Owners and shoppers. This can best be accomplished when the Board reflects the wide diversity and interests of our Owners. We are especially eager to welcome new Board members with skills and backgrounds relevant to a large, complex business, for example, experience in business, finance, community development, real estate, law, retail operations, or human resources. However, because the board practices policy governance, members with or without these skill sets may competently serve in accordance with the democratic requirements of our bylaws and the co-op principles. Board of Directors elections are held each year. Elections will take place in October of each year and the candidates are announced at the Annual Meeting & Party, in our newsletter, and in other candidate materials. For more information on how to run for the Board, contact the Board Administrator.
Learn more about diversity, equity, inclusion at Willy Street Co-op here.
Committees
We have a variety of committees to help with:
- Oversight of certain areas of the Co-op where we want feedback from Owners and/or knowledgeable experts outside of the Board and/or management
- Make decisions in certain areas
- Improve processes at the Co-op
Learn more about our committees, who is currently on them, and how to let us know you would be interested to serve on one of the committees by visiting our Committees page.
Bylaws
Bylaws of the Williamson Street Grocery Cooperative
A Cooperative Formed Under Chapter 185 of the Wisconsin Statutes
The complete Bylaws can be found on the Bylaws page of the Co-op’s main site.
Board Policies
As a policy governance board, we monitor performance and compliance through our policies. View Board Policies Here.
Global Ends Policy
The Williamson Street Grocery Co-op is, and will remain, an economically viable and environmentally sound business cooperatively owned by its owners; its primary mission is to operate a retail grocery store that forms a cornerstone of a vibrant community.
To evaluate progress towards these ends, the Board shall monitor whether;
Policy A:
Willy Street Grocery Co-op will be at the forefront of a cooperative and just society that:
- has a robust local economy built around equitable relationships;
- nourishes and enriches our community and environment; and
- has a culture of respect, generosity, and authenticity.
These policies statements shall be reviewed at each board meeting, and the GM shall provide a monitoring report in February.
Adopted by action of the Williamson Street Grocery Co-op Board of Directors on October 12, 2002.
Amended by action of the Williamson Street Grocery Co-op Board of Directors on February 8, 2003.
Amended by action of the Williamson Street Grocery Co-op Board of Directors on April 4, 2005.
Amended by action of the Williamson Street Grocery Co-op Board of Directors on January 17, 2012
Amended by action of the Williamson Street Grocery Co-op Board of Directors on November 15, 2015