BOARD OF DIRECTORS - City Center Market

About the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors is made up of co-op owners who are elected by the general ownership, and who represent the owners in guiding the co-op. The Board focuses on the future and high-level leadership, rather than day-to-day operations, yet maintains meaningful control through clear delegation to the General Manager and monthly monitoring of the General Manager’s performance.

In essence, the Board uses the authority given to it by the owners to set strategic direction, ensure organizational accountability and maintain a healthy, sustainable cooperative for the future.

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Board Meetings

All City Center Market Owners are invited to join the monthly Board of Directors Meetings. These meetings are held on the second Monday of each month from 5:00-7:00 PM. Board meetings are held at the Friendship Café in the City Center Mall.

We ask that owners RSVP if planning to attend. You can do so by filling out the “Contact the Board” form down below, or email the board at theboard@citycentermarket.coop.

Board Meeting Location | Friendship Cafe

140 Buchanan St. N #164 | Cambridge, MN 55008

Join the Board

I care. I want to learn. I want to advocate.

Does this sound like you? If so, we invite you to consider becoming a board member! Your voice matters.

Learn More

– Meet Our Board –

Carissa Elmstrand

Board President, 2023-2025

Learn More About Carissa Here

I graduated from Bethel University with degrees in Environmental Studies and Third World Studies. I’ve served on the coop’s board of directors for the last 3 years as board Secretary. Prior to moving to North Branch, I worked for three years at the food coop in Duluth, in their front end department, produce and finally in customer service. That experience gave me insight into how coops run and can serve their community, both from an employee and customer point of view. Recently my husband and I bought land near North Branch that we are farming. I believe having farming experience could benefit our local growers and producers and ultimately the coop’s owners. I believe that City Center Market can have a much larger impact on the surrounding community and offer more products and services to its owners. My contribution to this vision is the perspective I bring from farming locally as well as my work experience at a coop. I love coops and everything they represent in a community, I want to be a part of that in a bigger way. I’ve learned and appreciated so much from my last three years serving on the board of directors and I feel like I still have more that I want to contribute.

Randy Westby

Board Vice President, 2021-2023

Learn More About Randy Here

In my years, 1980-2012, I worked in Mortgage Banking as a lending officer, Mortgage Insurance Underwriter, compliance officer, loss prevention, and in Community Housing Development (HUD). I have spent my entire life serving my communities in various capacities, additionally volunteering my time as: – St. Paul Police Reserves – Ramsey County VPO Program (Volunteer Probation Officer) – White Bear Lake Optimist Club – Shoreview/Arden Hills Lions Club – Exchange Charities; Holiday Meals, Food Shelf, Clothing Connection – EarthStar; assisted living, facilities housing for Native American Seniors – School Board Member, North Branch Area Public Schools – Election Poll Watcher/Challenger, Election Judge I have learned many things over the years, but none more important than dietary management and monitoring. Knowing, trusting and shopping with confidence and knowing the quality of products is of the utmost importance. After retiring in 2012, I moved to Cambridge in 2015 and discovered City Center Market.

Joanne Kneller Spence

Board Secretary, 2023-2025

Learn More About Joanne Here

I graduated with a BA, sociology major from Camrose Lutheran College in Canada. I have worked in healthcare as a Recreational Therapist, have been a foster care provider, volunteered at schools, churches, and nursing homes in a variety of capacities. I homeschooled my oldest daughter grades 1 through 12. I grew up shopping with my mom at our local Co-op, helping in our massive vegetable garden and helping to care for our livestock. I have served on a “board” before serving as secretary as a youth in my local 4-H chapter and also as a secretary for 2 years on the Music & Worship committee at a church I attended…and most recently have sat on the Special Education Parent Advisory Board for the school district. My vision for the co-op is that it will be long-lasting – that it will not just endure but thrive so that future generations can benefit from the opportunity to purchase locally sourced foods that are environmentally conscious and have options for those that have dietary and environmental sensitivities. I hope to be a part of this vision- that I can be a source of support and information about the benefits of being a part of a local co-op. As I have food sensitivities to gluten and dairy I do not dine out often but instead make most of our meals at home. City Center Market has been a great support as it offers products for a variety of diets.

Lynn True

Board Treasurer, 2021-2023

Learn More About Lynn Here

I grew up a military brat so I lived in many places including Europe. I graduated high school in the Twin Cities and then joined the US Air Force. Ten years later, after becoming a Registered Nurse, I moved back to Minnesota and have lived in the region for more than 35 years now. I currently live in Mora. I became an owner of City Center Market about 15 years ago when I moved to Isanti. In high school, I participated in a working co-op (my favorite thing to do was package and price cheese (from the giant wheels) and I have supported co-ops wherever I’ve lived as an adult. It’s very important to me to have access to clean, fresh foods. Serving on our Board of Directors has been a very rewarding experience; I see how it makes a positive difference for a lot of people. My goal has been to help build an even stronger foundation from which City Center Market can grow, so we can be way-showers to the new economy. Keeping our co-op thriving is extremely important to me because my wellness oriented lifestyle also involves managing multiple food and environmental sensitivities—in other words, I “walk the walk” and I want to contribute to the health and success of our community.

Gary Moss

Board Member, 2022-2024

Learn More About Gary Here

Originally from the Minneapolis suburb of Robinsdale, I graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Minneapolis College of Art & design. I moved to the Cambridge area in 1976, after serving two years in the Marines (Vietnam) and working for 3M as an Art director. I became a City Center Market Owner shortly thereafter. At that time, to be a member, you had to put in volunteer work hours at what was then called MOMS Food Co-op in Grandy, even helping physically move the co-op at least three times. I have also been involved with the Isanti County Environmental Coalition since the early beginning stages.

Since moving up here, I have pursued my ambition and career as a professional artist. My work is also my hobby (sort of). It involves some traveling to do research photography, one of the fun parts of my “job”. Being self-employed in this career has given me different insights into different areas, which is why I was asked to be on the Board of Directors.

Being a part of the Board of Directors has proven to be enlightening in the realization that the only way to affect what happens to anything one is concerned with, is to get involved.

Michele Soucy

Board Member, 2021-2023

Learn More About Michele Here

I’ve lived in East Bethel most of my life. I grew up gardening and raising chickens. When I met my husband, we decided to open our own business. We raised two wonderful children and we ran a successful dental laboratory for over 20 years. When the industry began to change, we decided to move on to being vendors at farmers markets where I would sell my baked goods and canned items. We had lots of fruit trees and wild berries that made all sorts of jellies, as well as a garden with lots of vegetables. We would set up at the Cambridge Farmers Market which is outside of City Center Market. When my husband passed away, I decided I wanted to look for work closely involved with natural foods since we were always outside growing and harvesting our own food. I worked at City Center Market, where I have been a member for over 10 years. I became a board member because I believe everyone should have a chance to enjoy what the co-op has to offer and I would like to try and let more people know the wonderful experience that the co-op brings for the whole family!

Are you interested in joining the Board of Directors?

Being a part of the Board is a great way to become more involved with your community as well as help shape the future of your co-op.

If you are interested in joining the board, apply below, or download our printable version here.

Please Note: If applying online, we do ask that you read more about the Board of Directors as well as requirements and deadlines.

Please Read Before Applying Online

Any City Center Market Member-Owner is eligible to submit an application to run for a seat on the Board of Directors. This application gives voters information about your background and expertise, what you can offer to our Co-op, and what interests you about serving on the Board.

1. Fill out this application – This first section containing your personal information will remain confidential, however your answers to the questions and your headshot photo will be posted in the store and on the website.

2. Submit your application – Your completed application must be received before midnight August 1, 2022. You can email your finished application to
theboard@citycentermarket.coop, OR mail it to City Center Market, ATTN: Nominations Committee, 122 N. Buchanan St, Cambridge, MN 55008, OR drop it off at the store during business hours. Note: If filling out the application online on the website, your application will automatically be sent in when you are finished and have clicked “submit”.

3. Receive confirmation – A Nominations Committee member will confirm receipt of your application within 3-5 business days after you submit it. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE CONFIRMATION, PLEASE LET US KNOW.

4. Attend your interview – Please attend the Board Meeting on August 8, 2022 to introduce yourself and participate in a brief interview. Don’t worry, it will be fun! The Board will officially approve the slate of candidates later during the meeting.

Board Candidate Application

Name *

Owner # *

Address *

Email *

Phone # *

Best Time to Call

Anything else we should know?

City/township

Proud Owner for how many years?

1. Please tell us about your education & accomplishments.

2. Why do you want to serve on the Board of Directors for City Center Market?

3. What qualifications or experience do you have that will benefit the Board?

4. What is your vision for the future of our co-op and your contribution?

Optional Question: Is there anything else you'd like to tell us? Do you have other knowledge or experiences that you see as being related to the work of the Board?

Please submit your photo here. (Must be vertical and in JPEG format.)

Maximum upload size: 52.43MB

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About the Board of Directors

Board Meetings

Join the Board

– Meet Our Board –

Carissa Elmstrand

Randy Westby

Joanne Kneller Spence

Lynn True

Gary Moss

Michele Soucy

Are you interested in joining the Board of Directors?

Contact the Board

Subscribe to our Newsletter

CONTACT

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