President’s Report, Spring 2025
by Rose Paul, Board President
A bittersweet moment is upon us. The Co-op board has advertised the village building for sale, and we have an offer. The board will hold an informational meeting in person at the Plainfield Opera House on Sunday May 11 at 4:00, and again by zoom on Monday May 12 at 7:00 (see link info elsewhere in this newsletter). Come learn about the proposed buyer’s ideas for future use of the building and ask questions of the board. New ownership will spark new life for the building and the village, and allow Co-op staff to focus on store operations without worrying about maintaining a vacant building.
The membership needs to approve any real estate transactions, and a 2/3 majority is needed for a real estate vote to pass. Only members in good standing can vote, so please make sure you are up-to-date in your equity payments. Voting will begin at the Opera House during the meeting on May 11, and continue at the Rt. 2 store through May 19. Ballots are available at the store, and there is a locked voting box where you insert your completed ballot. You will be asked to put your member number on your ballet and this will be verified when the vote is tallied.
Spring is Greenhouse Season at Plainfield Co-op! Check out the fabulous plants and stock up on all your gardening needs—soils, fertilizers, tools, seeds, and even stones to line your patio. A visit to the Co-op greenhouse is both aromatherapy and a visual feast. There’s something for everyone’s aesthetic and here’s a tip: the hanging flower baskets go fast, so don’t delay in choosing yours.
The Co-op is hitting its stride filling the grocery shelves with the food selections you want. We aspire to be a grocery for everyone and we offer a range of brands and prices. Don’t see something you’d regularly buy? Mention it to staff. Special orders are still an option, just ask. And it’s never too early to stock up on canning supplies because strawberry-rhubarb jam season is just around the corner.
Working hard outside to get the garden planted? Give yourself a break and grab a delicious sandwich at the deli. We offer muffins, sweet treats, soups and options for gluten-free and vegetarian—just ask.
I want to give a shout out to our hardworking friendly staff and our very capable General Manager Jeannine DeWald. They’ve been working to stock up and optimize how products are displayed, and they’ve stayed cheerfully determined through it all. As a testament to the effectiveness of their hard work, we’ve been getting a steady stream of new members signing up—welcome to all of you!
Our beloved Plainfield Co-op is entering this exciting new phase of its 53 years on a strong footing with determination and gusto. Thanks for being part of making it happen!
Board Members
- Rose Paul, President
- Anne Van Couvering, Vice President
- John Cleary, Treasurer
- Claire Dumas
- Jan Waterman
- Andy Robinson
Contact: board@plainfieldcoop.com
More information at: https://plainfieldcoop.com/board-of-directors/
Wanted: Board Members!
The Co-op is always seeking enthusiastic, curious members to serve on the board. Specifically, we seek people who…
- Are committed to cooperative principles and a stronger local economy.
- Bring relevant expertise: business, financial management, legal, governance, marketing, fundraising and grant-seeking, etc.
- Play well with others.
- Follow through on their volunteer commitments.
- Are willing to prioritize board service.
When the board terms end in August, we anticipate some turnover. Therefore, we would love to add a few new members this spring to ensure a smooth transition. If you’d like to learn more, contact board president Rose Paul (rosegeo@myfairpoint.net) or any board member.