democracy In Action

Democratic member control is a core principle of cooperatives, and each year, our members have the opportunity to shape the future of our co-op by electing representatives to the Board of Directors. With nine total seats and term lengths ranging from one to three years, there are typically between two and four seats up for election each cycle.

In addition to board elections, members may also vote on proposed amendments to our Bylaws, the governing document that guides our co-op. The primary member on each account is entitled to cast one ballot between November 1–14, ensuring every voice has a role in shaping our shared future.

Become a Board Member

Thank you for your interest in serving on the La Montañita Food Co-op Board of Directors. Before submitting your application, please review the Official Board of Directors Candidate Information Packet that includes:

A message from the current board
Job description and required qualifications
Key board responsibilities and time commitments
Step-by-step instructions on how to run for the board
Additional resources for prospective candidates

Board Openings
This year, there are three (3), three-year term seats open.
At this time, all staff-designated board seats are filled. Current La Montañita employees are not eligible to apply for this year's election cycle. We encourage interested team members to stay engaged and consider running in a future election when a staff seat becomes available.

Application Deadline
Board candidate applications will be accepted through Friday, Sept. 4, 2026.

Important Submission Guidelines

Questions marked “required” must be completed in order to submit your candidacy.
Your name and responses to candidate questions will be used exactly as submitted for promotional materials before and during the election.
Each response has a maximum character count and cannot be exceeded.
Your progress will not be saved if this page is closed or refreshed. We strongly recommend drafting your responses in a separate document, then copying them into this form when you're ready to submit.
After submitting, you will receive an automatic email confirmation. Please check your spam or junk folder.

If you do not receive a confirmation E-mail, contact us at: membership@lamontanita.coop

2026 board of directors candidate application

Personal Information

Name(Required)

First Last

Name as you’d like it to appear in election materials(Required)

First Last

Phone(Required)

Email(Required)

Membership Number(Required)

Primary Physical Address(Required)

Street Address City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code

Is your mailing address different from your physical address?(Required)

Yes

Mailing Address(Required)

Street Address City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code

Candidate Questions

Member candidates are required to attend at least one (1) Board of Directors meeting during the calendar year preceding the application deadline. Eligible board meetings include: January - August 2026. Which eligible meeting did you attend, or plan to attend?(Required)

Are you a current employee of La Montañita Food Co-op?(Required)

Yes

There Is Always Next Time

At this time, all staff-designated board seats are filled. Current La Montañita employees are not eligible to apply this election cycle. We hope you'll consider running in a future election.

Are you a current La Montañita Food Co-op Board Member?(Required)

Yes

Provide a short bio that explains who you are and why you’re interested in serving on the La Montañita Food Co-op Board of Directors.(Required)

Describe what you believe has been your most important contribution during your time on the board.(Required)

When did you become a member, and what inspired you to join?(Required)

Describe your relevant experience, education, skills or interests you believe will support your service on the board.(Required)

What do you see as the biggest opportunities for La Montañita Food Co-op to better serve its members and the broader community over the next five years?(Required)

References

Provide up to three (3) professional references

1. (Required)

First/Last Name

Relationship

Phone Number

2. (Required)

First/Last Name

Relationship

Phone Number

3. (Required)

First/Last Name

Relationship

Phone Number

Headshot (Required)

Provide a clear, well-lit, full-color headshot (from bust to top of head, with shoulders in frame). Headshots must be high resolution and can be taken with most mobile devices. When uploading your photo, ensure it is at least 1MB in size and submitted as a .jpg, .png or .pdf file. If you need assistance submitting an acceptable photo, please contact: membership@lamontanita.coop.

Accepted file types: jpg, png, pdf, Max. file size: 50 MB.

As part of my application to run for the Board of Directors of La Montañita Food Co-op, I certify that I meet the required qualifications for board candidacy and that the information provided in this application is accurate and complete. I understand that any deliberate or unintentional misrepresentation may result in disqualification as a candidate or removal from the board.

Name(Required)

First Last

Signature(Required)

Date(Required)

To speak with a current board member about board service or candidate campaigning support, contact our Board Nominations & Elections Working Group at elections@lamontanita.coop.

La Montañita Bylaws

La Montañita Policy Manual

Candidate Information Packet