2025 Board Candidates

Meet the 2025 Oshkosh Food Co-op Board Candidates

The Oshkosh Food Co-op holds board elections in the first half of each year. Normally, three board positions with three-year terms are open. This year, due to a vacancy, four seats are available. Member-owners can vote for up to four candidates. The three candidates receiving the most votes will serve full three-year terms. The candidate with the fourth-highest vote count will fill the vacancy and serve a one-year term.

2025 Board of Directors Candidate Slate

Please click the links below to read the nomination statement each outstanding candidate prepared as you consider your vote! Candidates are presented in alphabetical order.

As a reminder, member-owners will have the opportunity to vote for up to four candidates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my vote important?

It's crucial for member-owners of a food co-op to vote for board members for several key reasons, all stemming from the fundamental nature of a cooperative:

Democratic Ownership: Food co-ops are built on democratic principles. Voting is the primary way member-owners exercise their ownership rights. Each member typically has one vote, ensuring equal participation. This democratic structure distinguishes co-ops from traditional businesses, where ownership and control are often concentrated.
Shaping the Co-op's Direction: The board of directors is responsible for setting the co-op's strategic direction, policies, and long-term goals. By voting, member-owners directly influence these decisions, ensuring the co-op aligns with their values and needs.
Representation of Member Interests: Board members are elected to represent the interests of the entire membership. Voting allows members to choose individuals they believe will best advocate for their priorities, whether those priorities involve sourcing local products, strengthening the local economy, promoting health, and/or building community.
Accountability and Oversight: The board provides oversight of the co-op's operations and management. Elections hold board members accountable to the membership, ensuring they act responsibly and ethically.
Community Engagement: Voting fosters a sense of community and engagement among member-owners. It reinforces the idea that the co-op is a shared resource and that everyone has a stake in its success. In essence, voting is a vital way for member-owners to actively participate in their co-op and ensure it remains a vibrant and responsive community asset.

Who is eligible to vote?

Anyone who joins the Oshkosh Food Co-op by purchasing an ownership share before March 14, 2025, is eligible to vote. Only the voting member-owner (formerly known as primary member-owner) is eligible and will receive a ballot.

How do I cast my vote?

All voting is online this year! An email is sent to each eligible voting member-owner through Election Runner. Two reminders will be sent.

What if I did not receive a ballot?

If you did not receive an online ballot and are a member-owner of the Oshkosh Food Co-op, please check your spam, promotions or trash for anything from Election Runner. If you don't find a link to your ballot, please email us with updated contact information.

When you email, the Co-op will confirm your membership and send you a ballot.

What if I have added someone to my membership? Will they vote, too?

Each membership receives ONLY one ballot.

Voting instructions are sent to the voting member's email address. (Voting members were previously known as primary members prior to a 2022 bylaws change.)

How long do I have to cast my ballot?

Online elections will close at midnight on April 13, 2025. Additional instructions are included in the email.

When will winners of the Board of Directors election be announced?

The outcome of the election will be announced at our Annual Meeting on Wednesday, April 16. The meeting will be held in person in the Oshkosh Food Co-op Community Room! RSVPs are strongly encouraged.