Lisa Oglesby:
I believe that cooperatives provide an important alternative business model that emphasizes not only WHAT we do but HOW we do it. Our co-op is more than a grocery store, we nourish the community through food, education, and togetherness. When we succeed, we invite everyone to share in that success.
This year we celebrate 50 years since of the founding of our co-op. This is no small feat! It took hard work and vision to start the co-op - and then many more people getting involved, sharing the work, and expanding that vison to get us where we are today. After the challenges of recent years, we must lean into our values and strengths to focus on recovery and stability into the future.
As your currently serving Board President, I understand the challenges that lay before us and am committed to ensuring our co-op thrives into our next 50 years. I joined the co-op in 1993 when I came to IV as a UCSB student. I began my Board service in 2003. Since that time, I have worked with my fellow Directors to be on a progressive path to make our Board and our cooperative the best we can be. The Board is committed to growth and improvement of the service we provide on behalf of the Ownership.
If elected to the Board this term, I will also be focused on the next phase of the co-op’s governance. With this term I will be able effectively train the next Board President and ensure the work of the Board can continue with the support of well documented institutional knowledge being passed to the next generation of co-op leadership.
I ask for your support and your vote into a new term on the Board. Go co-op!