Since its incorporation in 1987, Weaver Street Market has been an innovative leader in cooperative modeling. While most cooperatives are either consumer owned or employee owned, WSM is a hybrid, owned by both its worker-owners and consumer-owners. Community ownership ensures that the organization is reflective of and responsive to the needs of the community. Worker ownership allows it take advantage of the natural entrepreneurial spirit of workers who are owners.
The hybrid form of cooperative means that both owner classes participate in the governance of the co-op through representation on the Board of Directors. WSM’s Board of Directors is composed of 7 directors: 4 directors are elected by the two owner classes, workers and consumers, with each class electing 2 directors, and 2 positions are appointed by the board itself to fill the need for particular skills or knowledge. The General Manager holds the 7th position. Elected Directors may serve up to four consecutive two-year terms. Upon election to a fourth term, said Director may not run for the Board nor otherwise hold appointed office on the Board for two (2) consecutive two-year terms.
The Board Provides Strategic Leadership:
- Focusing on the big picture—envisioning how Weaver Street is different as a cooperative and what impact we make beyond other businesses
- Listening carefully to consumer and worker owners and translating owner needs into a compelling vision
- Engaging owners and potential owners in understanding Weaver Street’s mission as a co-op and providing ways for owners to drive co-op results through everyday behaviors and choices