TCCP Board Election 2021

September 20, 2021

Election Details:

Cast your vote online at tccp.coop/election-2021

Or fill out a ballot in store at Customer Service.

Voting closes Oct. 27 at 4 p.m. by paper ballot and Oct. 28 at 6:30 p.m. online. Results will be announced during our Virtual Annual Owner Meeting.

Event Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88405927089?pwd=ODNhYlZkVzlOd1Y4dHljc09aQkJSQT09

A note from the board:

The board of directors recommends these candidates without reservation.

Each year, our board recruitment goal is to present two candidates for each open seat on the board. This year there are three candidates for three board seats. During the past year we faced external and internal challenges in meeting our candidate goal, including unplanned absences and our board administrator’s resignation. Nevertheless, we take full responsibility for not offering the number nor diversity of candidates for your selection. We are dedicated to reach our goals for next year through accountability systems, more detailed timelines, improved and timely outreach and recruitment outreach and communication within the organization and to owners.

DATE OF RECORD FOR THIS ELECTION IS AUGUST 14, 2021. New owners who joined after this date are not eligible to vote in this election. For more details please see our Bylaws, article 1.4.

VOTE NOW

MEET YOUR BOARD CANDIDATES

We asked the 2020 Board Candidates to list their occupation and education, and to write a short statement to owners highlighting: Why do you believe owners should choose you to represent them? In what areas should the Board be putting its attention in the next five years? What else, if anything, would you like to share with the Ownership?

Sarita Parikh

Sarita Parikh is the current President of the Twin Cities Co-op Partners. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer and Electrical Engineering, with a second major in Mathematical Economic Analysis from Rice University. She has played a variety of engineering and business roles in education, healthcare, finance, and technology. She brings her analytic background and deep leadership experience to the goal of helping the co-op system thrive in the competitive natural food market.

Although she grew up eating mostly Doritos and Dr. Pepper, as a young adult, she discovered the joys of healthy foods and the quest to support sustainable food systems. When moving to Minneapolis, 20 years ago, she found the co-ops to be flourishing examples of businesses that do good and do well. They embody the principles of democracy and sustainability.

Sarita enjoys yoga, reading, music, dance, and keeping up with her active family.

Statement to owners:

On any given day, I operate in multiple roles–I’m a parent, a business person, a volunteer, and an enthusiastic member of the Minneapolis community. This combination of roles helps me represent the core values of many of my fellow Wedge and Linden-Hills Co-op members. In these tumultuous times, TCCP embodies the values that many of us hold dear: democracy, equality, inclusivity, planet, families, and communities.

I am honored to have served as President of the TCCP Board, and as a former Linden Hills Board member.

I have significant business, financial, and leadership experience, and have worked in the technology, health, education, and finance sectors. I have held positions as an engineer, project manager, analyst, strategist, and executive. This diversity of experience has helped me cultivate an ability to look at situations from different perspectives and has developed strong collaboration and leadership skills.

Looking forward, a key area of focus is building the co-op’s financial viability: Healthy, sustainable, and local food is a growing American trend–this is a good thing! It has countless benefits to people and planet. A key challenge for TCCP is remaining financially healthy and competitive while continuing advocacy for the environment, sustainability, and a healthy local food system.

Sara Gurwitch

I am a long-time public defender, specializing in criminal, appellate law. I have worked at a broad range of non-profit organizations, both as a staff person and volunteer, and was previously a member of the board of the Wedge Community Co-op. With my husband, I founded a hard cider production and distribution company, Guthrie CiderWorks (in San Diego, CA).

I received a B.A. in Political Science from Barnard College, Columbia University, and a J.D. from the University of Minnesota. I am an avid cook, with a special focus on local ingredients. My husband, Horacio, a photographer and filmmaker, and I live in Minneapolis with our son, a Minneapolis Public School student.

Statement to Owners

It would be a privilege to serve as a member of the board of the TCCP, working on behalf of the owners. I previously served as a member of the board of the Wedge, until moving out-of-state to start a hard cider business with my husband.

I believe there is much in my work life that would serve me well as a TCCP board member. I am a long-time public defender; having legal expertise can be useful for issues that arise before the board. I entered this field because of my commitment to equity, justice and fairness — concepts that are also relevant to the work of the TCCP board. Also, as noted above, I have been a small business owner, of a hard cider production and distribution company. With this experience, I developed my financial and business oversight skills, and learned a great deal about food/beverage production and distribution.

As it looks to the future, I believe the TCCP should continue its anti-racism journey and focus on affordability, while continuing to provide healthy and delicious food to the community.

Christine Page

Christine Page is a collaborative social impact leader with robust experience in program management, marketing, and volunteer recruitment. Christine has a heart for working with people, encouraging inclusivity, and inspiring action to strengthen our community.

Christine spent 15 years as a corporate social responsibility leader at Faegre Drinker, a top 100 law firm. In this role, Christine worked with 21 offices across the country to engage firm personnel in activities to support local communities while fostering partnerships with nonprofit organizations. Christine has served on various boards and committees and is currently the Vice-President of the HandsOn Twin Cities Board. Through these experiences, Christine is aware of the role food security and nutrition has in creating a strong, vibrant and equitable community.

Christine enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and two kids and is also currently planning to run her first marathon in October 2021.

Statement to Owners

I strongly believe in the vision of the co-op as a community driven business that relies on the support of its members to thrive. I want to ensure that the coop continues to be a community asset that can be enjoyed by all. I would be honored to be able to give my time and talent to strengthen the coop’s community engagement and involvement.

DECEMBER CHANGE MATTERS ORGANIZATIONS

This year, co-op owners will choose the recipient of the December 2021 Change Matters funds. Our Change Matters program generates $9,000 – $12,000 each month for local non-profits through small change donations collected at the register.

The following organizations were selected by the 2020 Change Matters Committee and the co-op leadership team. The organization that receives the highest number of votes will be December’s sole partner.

Community Driven

Community Driven works to ensure that all people have their basic needs met from education, housing, food, and long-term stability through public education and direct charitable support.

community-driven.org

Appetite for Change

Appetite for Change uses food as a tool to build health, wealth, and social change in North Minneapolis. Through food ventures, urban agriculture, education and community organizing, they bring people together to learn, cook, eat, and grow food, creating change that lasts.

appetiteforchangemn.org

People Serving People

People Serving People is the largest and most comprehensive emergency shelter for families experiencing homelessness in Minnesota and a dedicated leader in homelessness prevention.

peopleservingpeople.org