Board of Directors
Like other corporations, the Monashee Community Co-op has a board of directors which are elected or appointed by our members.
The board of directors is the Co-op’s administrative body and acts on the members’ behalf between annual general meetings.
The Co-op’s Board of Directors plays an important role in the well-being of Lumby, it demonstrates how a community can democratically take control of its food supply, support its members, farmers and producers in sustainable ways. Like any company, the Co-op Board works on behalf of our member/owners. That means your family, friends, neighbours, co-workers!
What Does the Board Do?
- Honours the vision, mission and mandate of the membership.
- Decides upon and implements the strategic long-range plans and policies.
- Hires and oversees new employees.
- Holds ultimate accountability for management of our resources and performance of its volunteers and employees.
- Acts as trustees on behalf of the Co-op’s members.
- Moves towards being a policy-driven board with less responsibility around operations.
Qualifications
Roles and Responsibilities
As representatives of the membership, directors have the legal right to operate the Co-op. They must manage or supervise the Co-op’s business and affairs. They can use all the powers of the co-operative to do their job. Sometimes the Co-op’s Rules will limit what the directors can do. These limits must not prevent the directors from doing their job as laid out in the Co-operative Association Act.
Specific Responsibilities:
- Collectively set goals, objectives and administrative policies
- Adopt long term business strategic plans
- Regularly connect with store staff, volunteers and membership to co-operatively share ideas and recommendations regarding Co-op operations
- Put plans in place for succession of the Board of Directors for future years
2023-2024 Board of Directors
![](https://www.monasheecommunitycoop.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/chris2018.jpg?_t=1612292814)
Chris Bauman
President
Chris has been a Co-op member and volunteer since 2015 and a board member since 2016. She has been on several boards in the past and is particularly passionate about this one as the Co-op and what it stands for is very much in alignment with her own values. She loves to work with people, is goal-oriented but has learned the power of process and the camaraderie that can result from people pulling together with egolessness, commitment, and enthusiasm.
![](https://www.monasheecommunitycoop.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JuliePilonHeadshot-e1559359870968.jpg)
Julie Pilon
Vice-President
Julie has volunteered as a director since 2018. She regularly connects with store staff, volunteers and members to share ideas and recommendations regarding the Co-op. Julie genuinely desires to see the Co-op succeed as a business in our community. In the last year Julie has taken on the roll of the Vendor Liaison which has taken her to various communities within the Okanagan in order to seek out new vendors and their unique products to be sold at the Co-op. Julie is very excited to work with the new board of directors.
![](https://www.monasheecommunitycoop.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Sylvie-Desjardins.png)
Sylvie Desjardins
Financial Comptroller
Sylvie Desjardins has been a co-op member since 2018. She has previously been our Treasurer and is committed to the Co-op long-term. She keeps oversees the financial statements and provides analysis and guidance for moving forward. She is an associate professor of Mathematics and Statistics at UBCO. Her range of interests includes an academic project on threatened butterflies of the South Okanagan Similkameen.
![](https://www.monasheecommunitycoop.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Board-2023-24.jpg)
Debbie Kinvig
Finance and Marketing
Debbie Kinvig (far right) is our new board member. She will be instrumental alongside our President in marketing and fundraising.
![](https://www.monasheecommunitycoop.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Board-2023-24.jpg)
Julie Jones
Treasurer
Julie Jones (second from left) has been in this role before and brings a career of experience as well. She will be our Treasurer, once again, helping us to move forward.
![](https://www.monasheecommunitycoop.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Board-2023-24.jpg)
Judy Olsen
Grant Writer & Researcher
Director Judy Olsen, (third from right) will be our Grant Writer and Researcher.
Contact
Email the directors.