Our GM search has been adjusted and readjusted as the current Board learns more and more about the co-op's operational status.  We were fortunate to get a response to a craig's list ad from Stuart Bagwell, who became a member of the co-op a few months ago after meeting with BoD and GM search committee members, Regina and Sarah.  He has since been appointed Controller in the store, and continues to help the Board really understand what the co-op needs to thrive.  Stuart is a graduate student in Business Communications, writing a business plan for the co-op as a thesis project.  We are currently taking a step back and really trying to understand, assess, and create strategies for viable possibilities for the DFC, which will lead to defined goals for the future manager of the co-op.  First things first!  In order to find a qualified manager, we must first know what we would like that manager to achieve.  We are all looking forward to making progress on the business plan, and thus continuing our search for a manager.

Update above from the post below dated March 2007

The Co-op is in need of a qualified manager. Lack of funds has kept us from hiring one, but the reality is that the Co-op cannot afford to NOT hire a manager! We need to make this happen. The Board has appointed an ad hoc management hiring committee, consisting of Regina, Sarah, one member at large (could this be YOU?), and hopefully and possibly Peg Nolan, a Co-op consultant in the area. Do any of you members out there have good interviewing skills? Do you feel you are able to identify a good leader for a small grocery store? Please contact Sarah at sarahschuckman@hotmail.com or 593.3370, or Regina at indigo_communications@yahoo.com.

We will also need to do fund-raising for payroll and this potential manager's salary. Any members interested in helping with this should contact Sarah or Regina as well. Ideally, the Board would love to pay its staff a living wage ($9.00/hour). We are still throwing ideas around, but if we could raise $3,000.00 to pay a manager for their first three months of employment, further salary could be based on their performance and ability to make the Co-op financially successful, thus ensuring their own job security as well as that of the rest of the staff! Down the road, we would also love to offer employees health insurance... but first we need a manager to lead us there. Bottom line: that costs money. Got any ideas?! Other ways you can help: Spread the word! Do you know anyone who has grocery store management experience?

Sarah Bish, Board of Directors