The most important task for the council and the Co-op now is to hire a General Manager (GM) who will meet the Co-op’s current needs. Paul Ohlson, chair of the GM Search Committee, reports that survey results from members and staff are in, and they point clearly to several qualities that both groups believe the Co-op needs in the next GM. The following qualities were all in the top five, for both members and staff: 

• Communicates respectfully and clearly with staff and management 
• Effectively motivates and develops employees, particularly at management level 
• Listens attentively and is courteous 
• Values teamwork 
• Works well with and is responsive and accountable to a variety of stakeholders: board, employees, customers, and public 

The next step is to incorporate the results of the surveys into a position profile, which will be used in posting the position publicly. Then the fun begins, as applications come in and the Search Committee starts reviewing candidates. 

The committee has five active members, and Paul reports they have gelled into a working team. He would like the committee to continue its work with the current active members, and we are discussing details of how many candidates for the GM the council wants the committee to send to the council.  

Meanwhile, word is getting out that we are looking for a GM and that Hunger Mountain Co-op is a desirable place to work. Even though the position is not posted yet, I received an email resume and cover letter from someone this week. There is a lot of talent in the many co-op grocery stores in North America, and I look forward to finding out who is interested in making Hunger Mountain Co-op their new home. If you know any good candidates, please encourage them to apply—but to wait until the position is posted on the Co-op’s website and in other places, with a procedure for submitting an application. 

—Carl Etnier, Council President