Annual Meeting and Voting Information
By: Ashwini Rao, Board Vice President
As the weather cools and the colors change, it’s once again time for the Co-op Board to provide a review of the Co-op’s performance, hold elections and receive feedback and input from Owners. These meetings are a core principle of cooperative governance, ensuring accountability to members and allowing them to understand the Co-op’s strategic direction and financial health.
The 2025 Annual Meeting is virtual this year and will start at 6pm on October 7. The first 50 Owners who register and attend the virtual meeting will all receive at least a $10 gift card; four attendees will also be randomly selected to receive a larger gift card.
A detailed agenda is below:
- 6:00pm: Agenda Approval & Minutes Approval
- 6:06pm: Welcome & Introductions of Board Members (Sarah Larson, Board President)
- 6:16pm: Year In Review (Anya Firszt, General Manager)
- 6:26pm: Financial Report (Paige Wickline, Director of Finance)
- 6:36pm: Introduction of Board Candidates
- 6:46pm: Owner Q&A (questions must be submitted to info@willystreet.coop by October 1)
- 6:56pm: Prize Drawings (a $25, $50, $75, and $100 gift card will be given away)
To register, visit: willystreet.coop/annual-meeting.
Voting Information
The Board uses the Policy Governance Model to oversee the Co-op, a system that emphasizes values, vision, and the empowerment and accountability of both the staff and the Board. For more information about Board Governance, be sure to visit this page:
www.willystreet.coop/about/co-op-governance/
The Board of Directors plays a critical role in ensuring the continued success and health of the Co-op by setting the standards for the Co-op’s performance, developing the vision for the Co-op and working to ensure the long-term viability of the Co-op.
We have seven Board candidates this year running for three seats on the Board. The voting period is from October 1–October 22, 2025. Online and vote-by-phone ballots will be due at 11:59pm Monday, October 20, and all paper on ballots must be received by 6:00pm October 22, 2025, when the Board holds its Special Meeting to receive a tally of the votes.
Owners can vote four ways:
- In store: look for the vote kiosk in each store, or ask at Customer Service. The kiosks will have blank ballots, or you can use the one in the printed newsletter.
- Online: we emailed a unique link to each Owner email address; click on the link to get to your ballot.
- Mail: use one of the blank ballots from an in-store vote kiosk or from the printed newsletter and mail it to the address listed on the ballot.
- By phone: you will receive instructions about how to vote by phone on a postcard we mail to you and in an email.
I hope to see you at the virtual Annual Meeting on October 7!!
