The 2023 Declaration of Candidacy period has closed

Eligible candidates will have their statements posted on this page soon prior to our Elections in May! See below for the full Election Calendar and past Election results.

2023 Election Calendar

12/07/22: Elections Calendar posted on the store Governance Board and on the DFC website

01/06/23: Deadline for receipt of Owner Initiatives for the Election

01/31/23: Deadline for owners to declare their interest for the Board of Directors at the close of the store

04/03/23: Declared candidates have their photos and Candidate Statements uploaded to Elections Page

04/03/23: Declared candidates can arrange to use the Community Information Space near the Tomato sculpture to share information about their candidacy with Member-Owners

05/06/23: Last day of campaigning. Annual Meeting and start of the Election. Online Elections Ballot are sent to Owners at the start of the Annual Meeting

05/06/23: Voting begins at the start of the Annual Meeting

05/20/23: Voting Ends at Store Closing

06/19/23: Board accepts election results at last Board meeting of the Board year

07/17/23: New Directors seated at first Board meeting of Board Year 2023 Election Calendar

ABOUT THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Purpose 

The Board works on behalf of the Member-Ownership, to set the mission of the Co-op as well as monitor the operations and management of the store. 

Commitment

Director candidates must be committed to the Ends Statement of the Davis Food Co-op. Board Directors are volunteers for a term of three years and commit to working about 15 hours a month.

Benefits

To thank them for their efforts and involvement, the Davis Food Co-op Directors receive 16.5% off all of their purchases at the Co-op. Our Directors also gain a variety of useful skills, such as business acumen, management experience, high-level communication, financial literacy, strategic thinking, and teamwork. 

Minimum Requirements

• Be a DFC shareholder in good standing.
• Prepare for, attend, and participate in monthly Board meetings and the Annual Ownership Meeting in May.
• Serve on one or two committees or task forces.
• Attend and participate in a day-long annual retreat in the Fall and/or Spring.
• Participate in Board training, as well as workshops, conferences, and DFC events throughout the year.
• Regularly read and respond to email correspondence.
• Devote time to learning about the co-op movement and the board decision-making tool Policy Governance.

How to become a Candidate for the Board

The 2023 Declaration of Candidacy has closed. Owners that are interested in running for a seat on the Board of Directors in 2024 will be able to express that interest early next year. If you have questions, you can email Marketing Manager Vince Marchese at [email protected] or the Board of Directors at [email protected].

How to get involved without being on the Board

• Attend the Annual Meeting 
• Attend one or more board meetings
• Meet with a current or former Director
• Apply to serve on a Board committee

Learn More about the Board here

 2022 Election Results

Accepted Bylaw Amendments (2022)

Article V: Board of Directors

Explanation of 5.1 Number and Composition Bylaw Amendment

The proposed amendment provides for the nomination of candidate(s) by a Nominating Committee of the Board of Directors . The Nominating Committee reviews the eligibility of prospective candidates and assists them in understanding the the needs of future Davis Food Co-op Board of Directors, and the duties required of a Board Member. The Committee Nominees are elected by vote of the Membership in the annual election. Eligible Candidates who are not nominated by the Nominating Committee still can run for a seat on the Board of Directors so long as 1% of the Membership has signed a petition for the Member to do so.

The proposed amendment is as follows:
5.1 Number and Composition. The Board shall be composed of nine (9) Directors. Directors shall be elected from among the Members of the Cooperative, having been nominated by the Nominating Committee of the Board, or nominated by Member petition signed by at least 1 % of the Membership. The 1% of members will be determined by the number of active members at the time of the prior year’s Annual Meeting. All Directors must remain Members of the Cooperative during their term of office. A maximum of two eligible owners who are paid employees of the Cooperative may serve as Members of the Board at any one time, if they are not disqualified by any other provision of these Bylaws.

Explanation of 5.4 Terms and Elections Bylaw Amendment
In the current Bylaw a Director can serve no longer than seven (7) consecutive years including two 3-year terms. The proposal to change this Bylaw would eliminate the maximum number of consecutive terms and allow Directors to be re-elected any number of times following the expiration of their 3-year term. The rationale behind the amendment is to allow continuity of Directors who are invested in continuing to serve on the Board and to support multi-year planning and advancement of the Davis Food Co-op.

The proposed amendment is as follows:

5.4 Terms and Elections. Elections shall occur annually, in a manner prescribed by the Board and set forth in the Cooperative’s Policy Manual. Directors shall serve three (3) year terms; and those terms shall be staggered such that approximately one-third of the Board is elected each year. A Director may be re-elected any number of times following the expiration of their term.

Explanation of 7.2 Net Surplus Savings and Earnings Bylaw Amendment
The proposed Bylaw amendment would refine the existing language to include prior years’ accumulated non-Member earnings as source for payment of dividends on preferred shares. A vote in favor of this Amendment can reserve more funds to pay out in patronage dividends.

The proposed amendment is as follows:

7.2 (B) (3) Application of net earnings The net earnings of the Cooperative for each fiscal year, to the extent attributable to the patronage of Members in good standing, shall be allocated and distributed among such Members as Patronage Refunds in proportion to their patronage. In determining and allocating net earnings, the Cooperative shall use a single allocation unit except to the extent that it may subsequently engage in any new and distinct line of business. Should the Board declare a Dividend on investment shares, such Dividend shall be paid first from that portion of net earnings attributed to non-Member business from the current year and then prior years’ accumulated earnings.