by Anya Firszt, General Manager
Hello dear Owners: Happy New Fiscal year! July is the first month of our new fiscal year, which means the coming month will be spent preparing for the annual audit and closing the books of the previous year. Stay tuned for updates regarding last fiscal year at the Annual Meeting schedule for October 1, 2024.
July is Disability Pride Month!
We are highlighting Inclusive Trade vendors owned and operated by persons with disabilities: check out the Disability Pride Inclusive Trade for more information.
Look for the Inclusive Trade icon (gold circle with an “i”) on shelf tags that indicates a vendor is 51% owned, controlled, and operated by a person or persons who are: women; Black, Indigenous, and/or Persons of Color; LGBTQIA+; veterans; and/or persons with disabilities. Learn more at willystreet.coop/inclusive-trade.
Board of Director Elections
It’s time to think about running for the Board of Directors! We have three seats that need to be filled this year. The Board of Director Candidate Packet can be found at the Owner Resource Areas in the stores or at willystreet.coop/run-for-board. Deadline for submitting an application is August 29 (at 3:00pm).
One of the requirements of running for a seat on the Board is to attend one of three Board candidate information sessions to learn more about serving on the Board; these
sessions are scheduled for:
- Tuesday, July 23 at 6:00 PM (venue to be announced, see website for details)
- Saturday August 17 at Noon at Aubergine (1226 Williamson Street, Madison, WI)
If none of these dates work for you, you can request an alternate date; see the Candidate Packet for details. Board elections will be held October 1 - 16. You can cast your ballot one of four ways; in person (at one of our three stores), via mail, by phone, or online. Stay tuned for future updates.
Calling All Past Co-op Board members!
I heard from a few folks last month, but I’m hoping to hear from a few more. Did you or someone you know serve on the Co-op’s Board of Directors? We are planning something special in October in celebration of our 50th Anniversary especially for Willy Street Co-op Board members. I am in search of contact information for those folks who served on the Board. If you are a past Board member, please send me your contact information at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or mention this request to anyone you know who served on the Board in the coming month or two. Thank you kindly.
Upcoming Co-op-Sponsored Svents
The Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center is once again bringing live music to McPike Park with La Fête de Marquette beginning on July 11 through July 14. We’re proud to be
the presenting sponsor of this event.
Festival Perks Passes
Again this year, Willy Street Co-op is offering Festival Perk Passes to 3,000 Owners to receive half-priced meals and beverages (with or without alcohol) during a three-hour span at one of three community festivals near our stores:
- La Fête de Marquette (Owner perk valid: Thursday, July 11, 4pm-7pm)
- Good Neighbor Festival (Owner perk valid: Saturday, Aug. 24, 1:30pm-4:30pm)
- Northside Festival at Mallards stadium (Owner perk valid: Saturday, September 7, 11am -2pm)
Owners with the Perk Pass can display them when purchasing food or beverages and will only be charged half-price during the three-hour timeframe. Passes may be used to purchase up to four half-priced food items or beverages at one time so that caregivers can get food and beverages for themselves and dependents.
To get your pass, stop at the Willy Street Co-op store that corresponds to the festival starting on the date listed below:
- Pass for La Fête de Marquette is distributed at Willy East starting on Monday, July 1 at 10am.
- Pass for Good Neighbor Festival is distributed at Willy West starting on Monday, August 12 at 10am.
- Pass for Northside Festival is distributed at Willy North starting on Monday, August 26 at 10am.
Festival Perks Passes are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. Each Pass is good for the one festival with which it is associated - for example, the one distributed at Willy East is only valid at La Fete de Marquette. Owners with an individual Ownership account may receive a total of one Pass for this year; Owners with a household account may receive a total of two Passes (for the same festival) for this year if they wish. Festival Perks Passes are non-transferable.
Willy East Rain Garden Sessions
Every Wednesday until Labor Day, Willy East will host live free acoustic music featuring local musicians in the rain garden located on the Jenifer Street side of the building from 5 - 7pm. Grab a refreshing drink or snack and come join in the fun.
Dates to think about
Independence Day - Thursday, July 4 - stores close at 7:00pm
See you out and about!
Anya