2025 BOARD ELECTIONS
The Kitsap Community Food Co-op opened its doors in 2019 to provide access to locally-sourced food and products to member-owners and the broader community. We're proud of the successes and learning opportunities and are ready for you to help us lay the path for the next steps on our journey.
Each year, all member-owners of the Co-op have the opportunity to shape our future by nominating and electing members to the Board of Directors.
Over the last several months, we have engaged with several member-owners who have expressed their interest in getting more involved with the operations and development of the co-op. We're looking forward to more member engagement as we move forward.
The KCFC Bylaws require a vote of the membership. On Wednesday, 8/17/25 all member-owners will receive and email with a link to submit their ballot.
WHAT DOES THE BOARD DO?
The Board of Directors is elected by the membership to serve a three year term as representatives of the member-owners. The Board establishes policies, oversees the operating and capital budgets, approves plans and recommendations, and sets general guidelines for staff. They hold ultimate legal responsibility for the operations and actions of the Co-op and for fulfilling its mission:
The Kitsap Community Food Co-op connects our local community with quality food, products, and access to information that promotes a healthy future for our families and our planet. Together we work toward a world where mutually beneficial relationships exist between producers and purchasers.
Board members are elected by the member-owners using a majority vote as outlined in our bylaws. Elections are held once per year for vacant seats after the close of the previous fiscal year.
HOW MANY SEATS ARE ON THE BOARD?
The Kitsap Community Food Coop’s bylaws state that the board shall consist of ten (10) members. During the 2025 election cycle, there will be five (5) available seats.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO SERVE ON THE BOARD?
Board Candidates are member-owners in good standing with the Kitsap Community Food Co-op and not paid employees of the store.
WHAT IS THE TIMETABLE FOR ELECTIONS?
| Date | Task |
| Sunday, 6/1/25 | Call for nominations open |
| Sunday, 8/10/25 | Board Applications due |
| Wednesday, 8/17/25 | Special Meeting of Membership via Zoom with candidate presentations. Candidate statements posted on the KCFC website. |
| August 17-23, 2025 | Board Elections via online ballot |
| Sunday, 9/21/25 | Annual Meeting, presentation of new board members. |
WHAT ARE THE EXPECTATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF KCFC BOARD MEMBERS?
Board members should expect to spend 10 or more hours a month engaged in:
- Monthly board meetings
- 1-2 committees, with bi-weekly or monthly meetings
- Regularly reading and responding to emails
- Reading and learning about cooperative business and governance models
- Volunteering at events
Additionally, new board members should be available for additional orientation and training sessions in September, October and November.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BECOMING A BOARD MEMBER OF KCFC?
Board members gain leadership skills, broaden contacts, deepen decision-making skills, learn complex thinking skills, experience a sense of accomplishment in making a socially responsible contribution, and find community in common purpose.
ARE BOARD MEMBERS COMPENSATED FOR THEIR SERVICE?
Directors are not financially compensated for their service on the KCFC Board, though reasonable expenses incurred in completion of co-op business can be reimbursed upon request.
WHAT SKILLS DOES THE CO-OP NEED IN A BOARD MEMBER?
We are looking for community oriented people that have a heart to serve and the bandwidth to assist with a variety of tasks. We also are looking for specific individuals that might come from backgrounds in business management, community development, local food, finance and capital development, human resources, marketing, board governance and much more to help us with the following tasks:
- Assist with Store Operations and events
- Social Media and Marketing
- Social events to engage our community
- Canvassing to help raise awareness of our store
- Developing a plan for the next phase of expansion
- Expanding the diversity of membership
- Strengthening our policy and governance structures
- Capital development for expansion and initiatives
- Community outreach and engagement with like minded organizations
For the past two years, the board has been primarily focused on the operations of our small store in the heart of downtown Bremerton. We have emerged from the pandemic with steadily increasing sales and are looking forward to more growth as we serve the community with locally sourced and natural food and products. The Board is now poised to strategically focus on the future and further expand our service to the community.
WHAT IS THE APPLICATION PROCESS TO BE NOMINATED FOR THE BOARD?
BOARD APPLICATION PROCESS
- Read all the information on this page and explore the “About” sections of our website at https://www.kitsapfood.coop
- Complete the online Board Candidate Application at https://kitsapfood.coop/board-election-application (applications due 5:00pm 8/10/25)
- You will be contacted to confirm receipt of your application and to schedule an interview with the Elections Committee.
- You will be asked to submit a photo and information for a candidate statement which will be posted on our website.
- A “Meet the Candidates” meeting available to all member-owners via Zoom on Wednesday, August 17, 2025.
- Online member voting will be August 17-23, 2025.
- New Board Members will be installed during the board meeting on Wednesday, August 27, 2025. .
- At the next regular board meeting following the Annual Meeting, new board members are seated and the Executive Committee (President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Clerk) are chosen.
HOW DOES THE ELECTION TAKE PLACE?
The Kitsap Community Food Co-op uses a majority vote ballot.
- Member-owners may submit their ballot online or request one by mail.
- Member-owners will vote for the number of candidates equal to the number of vacant board positions.
- The elections committee will tally the ballots.
- At the Annual Meeting of Members, newly elected board members will be announced based on a majority of submitted ballots.
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Questions? Contact Jeff Allen: jeff@kitsapfood.coop