What is the Board of Directors and what does it do?
The Board of Directors is the representative ownership of Sevananda. It is composed of nine people, all members of Sevananda, elected by the general membership, each of whom serves a three-year term. Directors guide the co-op towards the members’ vision through carefully written policies. The Board also supervises the General Manager, and is involved in strategic planning, financial oversight, membership linkage, and community outreach.
The Board Ends Statement guides the focus, values and work goals and objectives of the Board of Directors on behalf of the Co-op.
Sevananda Ends Policies
Sevananda exists such that the Commonhealth is sustained.
The Commonhealth is a community characterized by:
A culture of service
Knowledgeable members
A network of local, viable services
An environment that is sustainable and nourishing
Local, regional, global connectedness
Relationships which are fair, inclusive, interactive and empowering
An economy that is thriving, [(autonomous) or (self-reliant)], and mutually beneficial for all involved
Board Members
Calvin Vismale has been a member-owner since 1975 and has served on the Board many times; starting in the mid 1990’s. He rejoined the board in 2005 to continue his work writing policy and working with the General Manager and other board members to envision the future of Sevananda. He is on the Executive Committee and is the current Board President.
Leslie Harmon is the Vice President of the board and has been a member of Sevananda for two years. She is on the Bylaws & Policy, Executive, and Member Linkage committees.
Kijai Turpeau is a staff member in her eleventh year, and is the Bulk Herb Buyer for Wellness department and is on her second term on the board. She is the Board Secretary and is on the Executive and Member Linkage committees.
Rex Batson came to Board service after working as a proofreader for Co-Options for three years. A member since 1994, Rex is the Treasurer and is on the Finance, Executive and Training committees.
Gloria Hawkins-Wynn has been a member-owner since 1998 and is on her second board term. She is Chair of the Training committee and serves on the Finance committee.
Jen Macuch Kato has been a member-owner since 1980, and is serving her 5th term on the Board. She is Chair of the Policy Committee and also serves on the Bylaws & and Finance committees.
Tawhiyda Tupak-El is on her first term serving on the Board. She has previous co-op experience at Mariposa Co-op in Philadelphia and serves on the Training and Member Linkage committee.
Samiyyah Allah has been shopping at Sevananda for over two decades, and came to the staff via the working members program; first in the Wellness department and later in the Deli. She is in her first term as a board member.
Rahn Stevens is on his second term on the Board and is also the Wellness Department manager. He has been on staff eleven years and is the Chair of the Member Linkage committee.
How do I contact the Board?
email: board2@sevananda.coop or call Board Administrator at 404-681-2831 Ext. 115
Contact phone numbers for individual directors may be found in the Co-Options newsletter in hard copy form in the Sevananda lobby or by visiting us online at sevananda.coop and clicking on red Co-Options icon.
Board Governing Documents
Board Brochure
Bylaws Brochure – Revised May 2012
Governance Process (former Policies I and II)
Board Meeting Dates
May 15th 2012 at the Little 5 Points Community Center
June 19th 2012
July 17th 2012
Aug. 21st 2012
Sept. 18th 2012
Oct 16th 2012
Nov. 20th 2012
Dec. 18th 2012
Jan. 15th 2013
Feb. 19th 2013
Mar. 19th 2013
April 16th 2013
Board Meeting Minutes
SevSpringMember2012 (2)
Provided upon request: Send requests to board2@sevananda.coop
Board Linkage & Connectivity
Board Meeting Agenda Requests process-
If a member/owner is interested in getting on the Board’s meeting agenda, the process is for them to simply complete the Board Agenda Request Form and return it to Customer Service Desk, in a sealed envelope Attention: Board Secretary.
BOARD AGENDA REQUEST FORM HERE
Board Committee Application process-
Complete Board Committee Application form and forward to Customer Service Desk at Sevananda Natural Foods Market, and address to the attention to Carolyn Renee, Board Administrator. Also include a copy of your current resume or biography. The committee chair for the committee(s) you have selected will phone you for an interview, and provide you an overview of the work of the committee of interest and dates for upcoming committee activities.
Board Articles – Co-Options
Board Online Forum – Link
