PCC’s 2018 Annual Election
This article was originally published in May 2018
A MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The business and affairs of PCC are governed by a Board of Trustees elected by PCC’s membership. Members’ right to elect trustees is the foundation upon which the cooperative principle of member democratic control rests. Your exercise of voting rights is a key tool for making your voice heard by PCC’s trustees and management. The Board thanks this year’s Nominating Committee for their time, hard work and dedication to PCC, and we thank you, our members, for participating in our cooperative’s governance with your vote.
A Message from the Nominating Committee
PCC’s Board of Trustees has oversight over PCC’s business and works to ensure that not only are PCC’s cooperative purposes achieved, but that the interests of co-op members are protected and furthered.
PCC’s Nominating Committee is responsible for making nominations for election to the Board. To do this, each year the Committee engages in a process to identify qualified Board candidates by evaluating application materials, interviewing applicants and recommending candidates. While we get many strong applicants, we focus on those candidates with strength of character, an inquiring and independent mind, practical wisdom, and mature judgment. We also place emphasis on prior board experience, specific skills or expertise that the Board and management believe will assist PCC, and a demonstrated commitment to social and environmental responsibility. The Committee strives for a composition of trustees that reflects a diversity of thought, backgrounds, skills, experiences and expertise that enables the Board to perform its oversight function effectively.
This year, after the process outlined above, the Nominating Committee selected three candidates for the three open Board seats — Michael Hutchings, Sandy Voit and Catherine Walker, each a current trustee. If elected, these three candidates will serve as trustees until our annual meeting of members in 2021.
Vote Required and Board Recommendation
A candidate for trustee will be elected to the Board if the votes cast for the candidate’s election exceed the “votes withheld” so your vote counts! If a candidate does not receive more votes for their election than withheld, and as a result a Board seat is not filled, the Board may appoint someone to fill that vacancy until the next annual meeting, at which time the person must be elected to continue serving on the Board. Additional details on the election process can be found in PCC’s Bylaws.
Meet the 2018 Board Candidates >
The Board of Trustees recommends a vote “FOR” the election of the three Board candidates named above.
Nominating Committee Candidates
The Nominating Committee leads the process for recruiting, identifying and evaluating candidates for election to PCC’s Board of Trustees. The Committee is comprised of up to four elected members and one appointed trustee from the Board. The elected Nominating Committee members serve two-year terms on a staggered basis, with the terms of two elected members expiring each year. The Governance and Membership Committee of the Board have selected Jared Mitchell and Don Nordness, who is a current Nominating Committee member, as the candidates who, in the view of the Governance and Membership Committee, are most qualified for membership on our Nominating Committee. If elected, these two candidates will serve as members of the Nominating Committee until our annual meeting of members in 2020.
Vote Required and Board Recommendation
The two candidates for membership on the Nominating Committee receiving the highest number of votes will be elected as members of the Nominating Committee.
Meet the 2018 Nominating Committee Candidates >
The Board of Trustees recommends a vote “FOR” the election of the two Nominating Committee candidates named above.
Thank you for giving PCC’s election your time and attention, and thank you for voting.
Key Dates
APRIL 27
Voting online and in-store begins at 8 a.m. (PST).
MAY 30
ONLINE VOTING must be completed by midnight (PST).
PAPER BALLOTS must be received by each store’s close of business or by mail at:
PCC Community Markets Election Processing,
c/o Election Services Corporation
PO Box 9020
Ronkonkoma, NY 11779-9822
Ballots not received by May 30, 2018 may be returned only in person at the Annual Members’ Meeting on June 6, 2018.
ELECTION RESULTS
Election results will be announced at the end of the Annual Members’ Meeting and then posted shortly thereafter on our website.
ELECTION QUESTIONS?
Online voting? Eligible members who have given PCC a valid email address by April 1, 2018 will receive an email on April 27 directing them to their unique online ballot. Kiosks also will be available in stores for online voting.
Need a paper ballot? Ballots are available in-store or by request from Election Services Corporation by calling toll-free (1-866-7204357), or by emailing pcchelp@electionservicescorp.com.
Questions about your membership or PCC’s annual election process? Please refer to our Election FAQs or call the PCC office at 206-547-1222.
PCC’s 2018 Annual Members’ Meeting
Join members and the PCC Board of Trustees to celebrate PCC’s 65th anniversary; learn how the co-op performed in 2017 against its financial, social and environmental bottom lines; and cast your vote in the annual election. A panel of local producers — including Pure Eire Dairy, Macrina Bakery, Bodyceuticals and River Valley Organics — will also share their perspective on organic production, and PCC nonprofit partners Ventures, FareStart and PCC Farmland Trust will give a brief overview of the impacts they make each day.
Wednesday, June 6
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The Swedish Club
Stockholm Meeting Room | Lower Level
1920 Dexter Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98109
Member registration closes on Saturday, May 26.
Meeting Program
5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Check in and pre-program reception
Enjoy small bites of exclusive PCC fare while exploring key moments in our co-op’s 65-year history.
6:30 to 8 p.m.
State of the co-op
Learn how the co-op performed against its financial, social and environmental bottom lines from the Chair of the PCC Board of Trustees and PCC CEO; hear from local producers; learn more about our co-op’s nonprofit partners; and ask questions of the co-op Board of Trustees and co-op leadership.
8 p.m.
Election and annual meeting closes