by Isabel Spooner-Harvey, Board Member
For many, summer is a time to pause and reflect.The Board has a lot to reflect on this summer after meeting for a couple of Strategic Planning retreats this Spring. We are also looking ahead to Fall, which brings Board elections and the return of the Double Dollars program.
Strategic Planning Retreats
This spring, the Board met at two retreats to winnow out and deeply examine what the Co-op stands for and what is truly unique about it. The Strategic Planning process is an enormous opportunity to build on our strengths while exploring how the Co-op will navigate the diverse and complex challenges of the coming years. It’s an exciting time for us and there are several avenues for change and growth that the Board will consider pursuing as they work through the Strategic Planning process.
At the strategic planning retreats, we mapped the competitive landscape, looked at national trends among cooperative grocery outlets and compared what makes us different from our competitors. We performed a strategic audit of our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.Finally, we developed a set of strategic objectives that we hope to gain feedback on from Owners. The draft strategic objectives focus on building future success in areas where we currently excel; continuing to deepen our community ties and look for new ways to prioritize the local in all aspects of our business; improve our digital presence; and position ourselves as the employer of choice with current and future employees who reflect our diverse community.
Virtual Listening Sessions
Your input is requested for our strategic plan and strategic priorities that will guide us. Please join us during one of two virtual listening sessions. The first is on Sunday, August 20 from 3:00pm to 4:00pm and the second is on Monday, August 28 from 4:00pm to 5:00pm. We will also have a strategic priority input form live on the website in mid-August. For additional strategic planning information, the feedback form, and for listening session virtual links please visit willystreet.coop/strategic-plan. This is your chance to have your say in how we will guide the Co-op’s identity and focus, always with the constant thread of our Ends Policy.
Board Elections & Double Dollars
Fall is just around the corner and with it comes Board elections and the return of the Double Dollars program.If you want to have an even greater voice in steering the Co-op into the future, consider serving on the Board of Directors! Elections are coming up soon and there are four open seats this year. Board members monitor policies that they set as well as oversee GM performance and approve the budget. All Owners who have shopped at the Co-op at least once in the last 12 months can run for the Board. See willystreet.coop/run-for-board for more details.
Starting in late October and running through March, on Tuesdays any shopper using their FoodShare/QUEST card to purchase groceries will be eligible to receive up to $20 worth of Double Dollars vouchers. That is up to $20 in Double Dollars vouchers each Tuesday while the program is running. This is a fantastic program that can really stretch your produce budget. For every $5 you spend using FoodShare/QUEST on eligible items, the Co-op will give you one $5 Double Dollar voucher, up to $20.
The vouchers can be used at any Willy Street Co-op retail location on any day October 2023 through May 2024 (as funds allow the program to continue) to purchase items in our Produce Department; canned and frozen fruit, vegetables, and legumes; seeds and seedlings for growing edible plants. For further details on the Double Dollars program, please visit willystreet.coop/double-dollars.
I hope all Owners will take advantage of these meaningful opportunities to engage with the Co-op. Please reach out to all-board@willystreet.coop if you have any questions about any of the topics in this article.
