What does the board do?

The board’s fundamental responsibility is to ensure, on the behalf of its membership, that Common Ground achieves its goals while avoiding unacceptable situations.  The board operates according to the policy governance model as outlined in John Carver's book Boards That Make a Difference. This book is required reading for board members. This model outlines an approach to governance that emphasizes empowerment and accountability, whereby the general manager of the store is responsible for operational aspects of the store, and the chief role of the board is the development of policies in four categories:

•  Ends Policies  These policies describe the results the board expects the organization to achieve, and answers the questions “Why does Common Ground exist?” and “What changes does it make in the world?” The construction and timely review of Ends Policies is the most important role of the board for the long term. These policies craft the vision that sets the direction the organization takes.
• Executive Limitation Policies  These policies are “means” policies, and describe things that are off-limits to management as they strive to accomplish the Ends. While this sounds negative, this approach avoids micromanagement by the board by only delimiting unacceptable solutions and allowing the creative construction of acceptable solutions within those constraints.
• Board Governance Policies These policies describe the board’s role, its expected products, and how it functions internally.
• Board Management Delegation  These policies describe how the board delegates power to the general manager and what each party in that relationship can expect from the other, including how the general manager is monitored for compliance with the above policies.

Things the board does not do include:

• Hire/evaluate/fire staff other than the general manager
• Craft store policies  
• Make decisions on purchases, product selection, or any other operational issue 
• Create or approve budgets  

Board members do not hold individual power with respect to the store. A board member, in relation to staff, volunteers, and the store in general, is just another member. The board only makes decisions as a whole; the board speaks with one voice. The board also operates proactively rather than reactively, by crafting policy to deal with situations rather than making decisions as situations arise. In other words, board decisions are policy decisions. 

Major board responsibilities include:

• The board is the key link from the membership to the way the store evolves. Therefore, the board must work to ensure good communication with the membership, and respond to membership concerns.
• The board is accountable to its members, but it is also legally accountable for the organization to the state, so it must craft policy to ensure that the organization operates in a legal and prudent manner.
• The board provides continuity. Although board terms are two years, board members should have a desire to serve for several years, to learn the way the organization works, and to provide leadership and stewardship for the long term.
• The board sets direction. The Ends Policies created by the board are critical, and must harmonize the diverse interests, issues, passions, and concerns of the membership.

• Commitment to the Co-op’s mission: Common Ground Food Co-op is a cooperatively owned grocery store that promotes local and organic production, fosters conscious
• consumerism and builds community.
• Knowledge of and interest in the issues of concern to the co-op
• Capacity for personal growth
• Willingness to serve, for the long term
• Readiness to work with others
• Diversity of backgrounds, skills, and contacts
• Humility
• Listening skills
• Ability to commit time and energy
• Honesty
• Ability to set aside personal issues and consider the bigger picture