Your co-op, February 2010

This article was originally published in February 2010

Election coming soon

The 2010 board election dates are April 27 through May 20 with four PCC members vying for three open seats:

  • Katrina Basic (controller, Aqua Quip)
  • Jason Hamlin (financial advisor, UBS)
  • Bryan Pearce (CEO, University Book Store)
  • John Sheller (managing librarian, King County Library System)

This month our candidates are videotaping interviews designed to introduce their ideas for PCC governance to members. The video interviews will be posted on PCC’s Web site by March 24, more than a month before printed election material is mailed to members’ homes in April.

Nominating committee chair Mary Simon says, “We hope members take advantage of this early opportunity to begin their deliberations.”

Our annual meeting on April 27 is another chance to meet and talk with the candidates and current board members. We’ll also host informal candidate forums in May at two stores — one on the east side and another on the west. All the can-didates will participate, along with several current board members. Dates and times will be in the March Sound Consumer.

All members who are active as of March 31, 2010 will be eligible to vote in the 2010 board election.

Board report

There was no board meeting in December and the January 26 meeting report will be published in March. The next regularly scheduled board meeting will be Tuesday, March 30 at 5 p.m. at the co-op office.

Members are welcome at all public sessions of the board meeting. Member comment period is at 7 p.m.

Members also are encouraged to ask questions or share ideas or concerns with board members during Talk to the Board visits. These in-store events have become a regular avenue for the board and members to interact on a one-on-one basis. The next board visits are:

You always may contact the board at
board@pccmarkets.com
or at the co-op’s postal mailing address.

Former trustee in Obama administration

pcc staff

(l-r) Board chair Stephen Tan, Public Affairs Director Trudy Bialic, Board Administrator Janice Parker, Horton, and Nutrition Educator Goldie Caughlan.

Kelly Horton, a member of the PCC Board from 2007 to 2009, has accepted an offer to work on fellowship in the U.S. Department of Agriculture/Food and Nutrition Services’ (FNS) Office of Strategic Initiatives, Partnerships and Outreach. During the next year, Horton will focus on FNS policy initiatives for the Obama administration.

Horton was named a 2009-2010 Health and Aging Policy Fellow (www.healthandagingpolicy.org). She has an interdisciplinary background in business management and food and nutrition policy, and left the PCC board last summer to explore opportunities in the Obama administration.

The Health and Aging Policy Fellows Program enables professionals to earn the experience and skills necessary to help develop and implement policies affecting older Americans.

Fellows participate in the American Political Science Association Congressional Fellowship Progam (www.apsanet.org). The nine- to 12-month program offers opportunities to participate in the policymaking process as legislative assistants in Congress, professional staff members in executive agencies, or in policy organizations.

Horton recently wrote, “My colleagues and I just completed a two-month orientation preparing us to serve as fellows. It’s very exciting to learn more about our nation’s politics, policy and process. I look forward to putting this knowledge to use.”
Horton expects to report occasionally to the PCC membership on her work.

Member satisfaction survey

Every two years, the PCC board conducts member opinion research. The board has hired Gilmore Research Group, a Seattle-based independent marketing research and public opinion firm, to survey our members. A random selection of PCC members will be called in February.

We encourage you to participate. The survey takes approximately eight minutes to complete. Your comments will be kept confidential, as will your contact information.

Also in this issue

Organics in 2010: Age of Enforcement

The year 2010 is shaping up as a very good one for the National Organic Program (NOP). The new director, Miles McEvoy, is promising an "Age of Enforcement," with stronger standards, increased collaboration with stakeholders, improved oversight, and penalties for violations.

Homemade yogurt

Are you hesitant to try plain yogurt because it might taste bitter? Try homemade yogurt. It is sweet even when unflavored, although you can add any flavor you like. Sweeten it with agave or pure maple syrup, or add organic berries, nuts or raisins. A squeeze of lemon is tasty, too.

February: the month of change

February is one of my favorite months. It takes us from the short days of winter toward the longer days of spring. Evidence of the wan-ing days of winter is everywhere. In my garden, Snow Drops are prolific at the start of the month and gone by the end of the month.