Brighter Days in 2021: Finding place & community at the co-op!
Dear Open Harvest Community Members –
I believe brighter days are ahead. I would like to invite you to strengthen your connection to our cooperative by attending the Chrysalis Retreat on New Year’s Day:
Here, we will set our intention for the new year by diving deeper into how we can become a more inviting and supportive space for everyone. This is the first of many opportunities for us to learn, invest in ourselves, and become a healthier community in 2021.
When registering for the retreat, a sliding financial scale is available, and the co-op is happy to support any of our members who would like financial assistance. If the retreat is of interest to you, please reach out to me directly, before registering with Columinate!
This past summer we all faced extraordinary, difficult and uncomfortable challenges. I for one have not been my personal best in 2020, but I am setting the goal to be a better cooperator, friend, and leader. I am committed to this work with you and I hope you will join me as we strive to become a healthier community.
By committing ourselves to pursue these new skills, we can more holistically live the values of our Co-op Ends Statement, and become a more equitable and inclusive organization. We have the potential to truly become a community that stands up against systemic oppression. I do not know exactly what this will look like, but
together, I believe we can create a new and improved welcoming organization. To make this happen, it will take all of our commitment, enthusiasm, and our collective cooperation.
I am grateful for the over 14,000 community members who have invested their time, hearts, and capital in our cooperative since we began this journey together in 1975. Thank you for all you do to make our co-op a better place. Please join us in 2021 as we aspire to build a cooperative that is not just a place to shop, but a place to find community! We can all be the change we want to see.
With love and gratitude,
Wally Graeber
Open Harvest Co-op Grocery Board Chair
board@openharvest.coop