Share your Voice: Vision Statement Feedback
Think big about our long-term vision of the world we are building toward! Feedback wanted on Draft Board Vision Statement. What do you think? board@belfast.coop
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In our 50-year history, BCC has focused on developing a cooperative grocery store that achieves our global ends toward supporting the local food economy, providing a source for food and water, operating a successful cooperative enterprise, promoting more understanding of our values, and empowering our staff. Our efforts have prevailed and we are now at a critical juncture with a substantial renovation of the store complete and our sales at record levels.
We are in a strong position to think big about our long-term vision of the world we are building toward. In a visioning exercise that the Board led in December 2023, participants described an ambitious future that included a statewide network of co-op grocers addressing the need for food in our communities and encouraging the development of other types of cooperatives to serve people looking for an alternative economic model. The SWC has reviewed visions from other food co-ops and engaged in discussions about how our vision would align with our Global Ends.
As SWC Chair, Richard Dines drafted a long-term strategic vision statement based on the input gathered at that point and shared it with the SWC by email. SWC members offered suggested changes by email, which were incorporated into a revised statement that was then discussed at the August 7th meeting of the committee. The committee offered further input at the meeting that resulted in the following draft statement recommended by the SWC and approved by the full Board for further consideration:
“The Belfast Community Cooperative envisions a thriving community and world in which our co-op serves as an innovative leader of an inclusive economy that empowers people to build a more just, resilient, and connected future."
The key difference between mission and vision statements written for BCC in the past and this statement is the reference to the co-op as an innovative leader. The Maine state motto is Dirigo, or I Lead. We are in a privileged position as a successful cooperative enterprise with a supportive community. In this position, we can assume the mantle of leadership and step up to help create an economy that works for everyone.
What do you think? Share your thoughts: Board@belfast.coop or drop a note in the store's comment box.
