Charles Baldridge
1.Why would you like to serve on the Board of Directors of the Onion River Cooperative?
I am hoping to receive your vote to continue serving as a member of the Onion River Coop Board of Directors. Over the last three years I have served on the hiring committee that welcomed John Tashiro as our new general manager, served as board treasurer and worked toward the opening of the South End City Market store. With another three-year term, I will continue to help ensure the overall mission of ORC and City Market, our “ends”, is being achieved through the board’s policy. The board will continue to serve our members directly by guiding City Market’s careful and stable growth and ensuring healthy, quality food is available in the store(s); and indirectly by enhancing the local food system, supporting many local nonprofits, and driving the economies Burlington, Chittenden County and Vermont. I enjoy the board work and look forward to participating in finalizing the land purchase and opening of South End City Market.
2.The work of the Board is not operational – that is, it does not deal with the daily operations of the store. Instead, the Board deals with the overall policies that identify and guide the mission of the Cooperative. How will you stay focused on the larger vision, without being distracted by the day-to-day operations of the store?
As a board of directors, we are lucky to have an excellent general manager and a motivated and competent team to handle the day-to-day operations. I have a natural inclination to focus on the long term vision, mission and direction. For me, having an operational team that we trust allows us to focus on the work of the board. In my time serving on the board, I’ve learned that policy governance, the structure ORC employs, is an extremely effective means for allowing the board to guide and direct the long term vision of the coop. It seamlessly allows the board to accomplish our primary goal of being the bridge between the members and operational management.
3.What strengths and skills would you bring to the work of the Cooperative’s Board?
As City Market grows to a second store, it is important to have board members who are aware of the details and history of ongoing projects. Incumbent candidates will bring a continuity that will smooth the transition to a multi-store organization. Beyond continuity, during my time serving on the ORC Board, I’ve found that my listening, critical thinking and consensus building are very important and helpful skills. I listen to the operational team’s reports, to member comments and suggestions, and to the diversity of opinions of the other board members. Each different perspective enhances my decision making process. Many of the topics we address are complex. This complexity demands critical thinking as the decisions we make have long term impact on our community and the coop. The process of coming to consensus strengthens our conviction in our decisions. In addition, I hope the members also see my background, where I demonstrate leadership, attention to detail, and team building, as a benefit.
I have enjoyed representing the members during my time on the board. I would be honored to be elected to an additional term on the OCR board of directors serving you, the members.