The Co-op Difference
You Own It!
Basics is governed by an elected volunteer board made up of 5 Basics Co-op Owners. They started as Basics shoppers, just like you! Learn more below.
The Basics Board establishes policies to advance the mission and goals of the Co-op, not limited to but including long-term financial planning, approval of major plans or commitments, and supervision of the General Manager (excluding staffing and operational details).
Our volunteer board meets for approximately 2 hours every other month, currently virtually, to carry out these duties. An additional 1-2 hours per month participation is encouraged for email discussions and committee projects.
An election is held each May and board members are elected to serve rotating 2-year terms. In keeping with our democratic cooperative governance, any active Co-op Owner can run for election, and all active Co-op Owners are encouraged to vote! In addition to the satisfaction of helping our co-op grow and thrive, board members receive a 5+15% daily discount on most regular-priced items.
Interested in running for Basics Board of Directors? All active Basics Co-op Owners are eligible. Watch for election announcements in The Scoop newsletter each spring.
Contact the Board
Communications remain sealed until the next scheduled meeting.
Mail to:
Basics Board of Directors
c/o Basics Cooperative
1711 Lodge Drive
Janesville, WI 53545
Email:
basicscoopboard@gmail.com
2023-2024 Basics Co-op Board of Directors
Jim Hutchinson, Board President
Jim Hutchinson has been a Basics supporter since the 1970’s and has served on the Basics Board since 2005. He is a lifetime organic gardener, practices a “heal thyself” approach to wellness and believes the community in which we live is intricately tied to our eating habits and health. As a Basics Board member, Jim enjoys the opportunity to use his experience to strengthen and keep our store a vibrant, nourishing organization for the body and soul. Jim has worked for and served on boards of nonprofit organizations for over 30 years. He currently provides accounting, management and administrative services for nonprofits.
Sarah Hotchkiss
As a licensed therapist, certified health coach and owner of a local health coaching service, Sarah assists others daily in making nutrition and wellness changes for healthy outcomes. Sarah considers Basics her “second home”, and through the Basics Board works to strengthen the co-op’s visibility, efficiency and accessibility for families. She enjoys being part of a team that impacts the local community and affects real change by showing more people in our community the benefit of co-op membership.
Lindsey Jozefiak
Lindsey brings board experience, corporate business experience, and personal passion for health and wellness to the Basics Board. She champions the co-op as “so much more than a grocer or health food store” and seeks to maintain it as a connection point between local agriculture and community members, an education station, and a gathering place for all who seek to maintain and improve wellness.
Kevin Manhart
Kevin brings to the Basics Board many years of service on boards of directors for local non-profits, as well as his experience serving in the U.S. Air Force. He enjoys helping Basics continue to grow and be an asset to Janesville and the surrounding communities with locally sourced foods, nutritional supplements not available at other grocery stores, and education available to Co-op Owners and the general public to learn ways to make healthy lifestyle changes.
Andrew Timm
Andrew believes in researching and understanding what goes into our food and supporting local food systems. He has experience working with small farms as an electrical engineer and appreciates the in-person learning that happens in the aisles at the co-op.