This year’s National Co-op Month theme is “Owning Our Identity.” Co-ops empower their co-owners to establish a vision for the cooperative that is carried out operationally. So how does this work? Through a collaborative relationship between the Board of Directors and the General Manager.

The Board and General Manager actively cultivate a relationship rooted in equity, respect, and mutual support. Board policy stipulates that we work collaboratively and transparently with the General Manager in addressing any issues as they arise.

We recently received messages from members that expressed concerns regarding this governance relationship. In light of this correspondence, we would like to share some ways the Board and General Manager have worked cooperatively in the last 18 months to establish trust, improve oversight, and require transparency in our governance process.

Members elect a Board of Directors that delegates authority to the General Manager … Read More »

Three Rivers Market isn’t another profit-driven private business and membership isn’t another subscription. Three Rivers was created to serve its members and community, not stockholders, and co-op members are its owners.

Membership is more than just access to great shopping deals—your voice matters. Co-ops are democratically governed, meaning they’re wholly dependent on informed and engaged members like you shaping the path forward. As members we not only enjoy exclusive benefits but share responsibility for the success of our co-op by having an opportunity to participate in governance.

Through cooperative membership, we collectively obtain strength lost to the individual. Whether you joined the co-op for the discounts or to be co-owner of a local business with neighbors who love and believe in our community, members like you make Three Rivers Market possible.

To learn more about how the members who make up the Board … Read More »

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to serve on the Board? 

Register to attend our August or September meeting to find out! By attending, you will get a first hand picture of Board service, and satisfy the requirement that each candidate must attend a meeting prior to the October election.   

Three Rivers Market is cooperatively owned by our members and democratically governed by our Board of Directors. All members have one vote in our annual election regardless of the number of Patronage Membership Interests (PMIs) held. Each year, members elect candidates to serve on the Board of Directors, which is responsible for the governance of Three Rivers Market. The Board consists of nine (9) Directors elected to three (3) year terms. To be eligible to vote or run for a seat on the Board, you must be a … Read More »

The Three Rivers Market Annual Picnic was held at Ivan Racheff House & Gardens & Arboretum, located in the Lonsdale neighborhood, on Saturday, June 17th, with lovely weather to highlight the peaceful beauty of the historic natural surroundings. Those in attendance not only enjoyed a relaxing celebration of and with our co-op community, but also had the opportunity to share ideas with the Board of Directors.

Music by Kukuly and the Fuego was the perfect accompaniment, and Three Rivers Market provided a tasty and healthful assortment of items for lunch. We also enjoyed cupcakes from Magpies Bakery and a decorative flower arrangement from Rainbow Roots Floral. Door prizes were generously donated by our local business friends: The Glowing Body Yoga & Healing Arts, Magpies Bakery, Stanley’s Greenhouse, and the Sequoyah Birthplace Museum. The Native Plant Rescue … Read More »

When one becomes a member of Three Rivers Market co-op, they accept certain responsibilities. No, I don’t mean putting your shopping cart back when you’re done – although, we all thank you for doing so. I mean the responsibilities of ownership.

Our co-op is a democratically controlled organization, which means all members bear a duty to help chart the course for Three Rivers Market. A fellow Board member spelled out earlier this year that all members can attend Board meetings, register for member forums to share important feedback, attend member events, join Board committees, and even run for a seat on the Board of Directors.

As a new Board member, I feel it’s important to spend time reflecting on the values that built our co-op. Of our many estimable ideals (self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity, solidarity, honesty, openness, social responsibility and caring … Read More »