ABOUT OUR BOARD
Elected by the shareholders, the Brattleboro Food Co-op’s Board of Directors is comprised of nine community members, of whom at least one and no more than two are Co-op staff. The Board is responsible for ensuring that the store is run in a way that is financially responsible, socially conscious, and genuinely responsive to the wide interests of our shareholders. The Board is not responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Co-op: rather, the Board provides support, strategic leadership, and oversight to its sole employee, the General Manager.
The Co-op Board of Directors relies on two guiding documents for our work:
- Our Bylaws guide our principles and processes. Any changes to Bylaws must be voted on by shareholders.
- Our Policy Manual defines the roles and responsibilities of both the General Manager and the Board of Directors and enables the Board to focus on the larger issues, delegate with clarity, and oversee management’s job without meddling.
Our Board meets on the first Monday of the month from 5:00-7:30.
At each meeting, we evaluate three things: the work of the General Manager, our own work, and the health of the BFC.
We schedule time at the beginning of each meeting for shareholders to provide input.
If you would like to attend a meeting, please contact us at board@bfc.coop or 802-246-2820.
Click here for the most current news from the Board of Directors including meeting minutes and agenda.
INTERESTED IN JOINING OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS?
Do you enjoy being a shareholder of the Brattleboro Food Co-op and support its values and role in the community?
Do you have a passion for building our local food economy and advancing a cooperatively owned, democratically-run local business?
Are you a team player who would enjoy working with a group of respectful, thoughtful, and collaborative neighbors?
If you answered yes to these questions, we would value your participation on the Board.
Not sure you’re ready to commit? Click here to learn more about our application process and what’s involved in serving on the Board.
Please schedule a time to talk with one of us; we’re always happy to answer your questions and share our passion for our Board participation!
You can reach the Board at board@bfc.coop.
Please stay tuned for an upcoming candidate info session, or stop by the BFC booth at Brattleboro’s Gallery Walk on the first Friday of each month. A Board member would be happy to chat with you and answer your questions!
Meet the Current Board of Directors:
 |
Jerelyn Wilson, President
Elected in 2021 for her 3rd term, term expires 2024 Jerelyn has been part of the BFC’s fabric since the very early days. She helped initiate and edit the first newsletter in the 80’s, served her first term on the Board in the 90’s, and is back again completing her third term. Jerelyn applies her superhuman leadership skills to everything she does, not to mention her role as CEO at BuildingGreen, Inc., a 14-person company located in the Estey Organ buildings on Birge St. She doesn’t like to hang out at the periphery; she’d rather be in the core, seeing things from the inside. |
 |
Judy Fink, Vice President
Elected in 2021 for her 2nd term, term expires 2024 Judy’s working life bounced back and forth between NY and NH, before she retired and settled in Dummerston, VT in 2012, where she plans to stay put. She taught elementary school, taught teachers, and founded and directed a farm program for a nonprofit. Food and farming are dear to her heart, and the BFC and local farm stands are where Judy shops and likes to hang out.
|
 |
Denise Glover, Secretary
Elected in 2019 for her 1st term, term expires 2022 Denise is a cashier sub at the BFC, and also works as the Administrative Assistant at Brattleboro Area Hospice. She dedicates so much of her time to the nonprofits she holds dear in town, which over the years have included the Town Tree Advisory Board, Edible Brattleboro, and Brattleboro Time Trade. She currently serves on the Board of the Vermont Insight Meditation Center. Denise’s calm demeanor and active listening skills are values her Board colleagues cherish. |
 |
John Hatton, Treasurer
Elected in 2021 for his 1st term, term expires in 2023 John’s commitment to the BFC is evidenced by the multiple years he served on the Board, stepping off when he reached term limits, and then running again. He’s currently on his third round! John is passionate about co-ops in general, and most especially the BFC. He’s a terrific writer, team player, and strategist. John has been in sales and customer service for his entire working career and is a licensed Realtor and Sales Manager at Berkley & Veller in Brattleboro. He tries to find enough free time to ride his road bike. |
 |
Calvin O. Dame
Elected 2021 for his 1st term, term expires 2022 Calvin’s heart has been in VT for so long, though he’s moved away for various periods in his life. He recently retired from his work as a Unitarian Universalist minister and moved to Brattleboro because of its strong sense of community with people who value sustainability and resilience. Calvin was a participant of the Plainfield Co-op in the 1970’s. He likes to build things in his spare time and is currently building a boat. With his vast experience on committees, boards, and nonprofits, Calvin is a welcome new Board Director. |
 |
Michele Meulendyk
Elected 2021 for her 1st term, term expires 2022 Michele may be the only person in town who relocated to Brattleboro in search of a larger city (she moved from a small town in Alaska in 2021). She has quickly made VT her home. Michele is self-employed as a licensed certified massage therapist and well-being coach. She has had prior board experience and has chosen to contribute her skills to the health of the BFC. We cherish the thoughtfulness and wisdom Michele brings to her role as a new Board Director. |
 |
Johanna Zalneraitis
Elected 2021 for her 1st term; term expires 2024 Johanna recently became a homeowner in Brattleboro, after renting for almost 2 decades. She grew up in MA, had family ties to Brattleboro, and increasingly spent more of her time here. She remembers the BFC in its early scrappy days, became a member early on, and is a cheerleader shareholder. Johanna works in retail grocery. This is her first term as a Board Director.
|
