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Board of Directors

Upcoming Board Meeting Dates for 2023

All meetings are typically held on Zoom* from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., generally the fourth Thursday of every month. Exceptions, especially for the holidays, occur. Owners are welcome!

Thursday, February 22, 2024 (6:00-9:00pm)

Thursday, March 28, 2024 (6:00-9:00pm)

Thursday, April 25, 2024 (6:00-9:00pm)

Thursday, May 23, 2024 (6:00-9:00pm)

Thursday, June 27, 2024 (6:00-9:00pm)

Click Here to join the meeting!

*meetings will be held on Zoom until further notice

Please contact the Board of Directors at board@commonmarket.coop if you wish to discuss a specific topic. Please note: the Board of Directors is not directly involved in store operations.  Please see past meeting minutes below.

Please view the Co-op’s governing documents for more information on how and why we function: BylawsArticles of IncorporationEnds PolicyPolicy Register

The Common Market Board of Directors consists of 9 Board members who each serve a 3-year term. Get to know your Board members by reading their bios below.

Julie Richards (she/her), Board President - Term expires 2025

If you could learn one thing, what would it be?
If I could learn one thing, it would be Capoeira, the martial art of Brazil. I am fascinated by its history; the call-and-response style of the songs; the sounds of the percussion instruments; and the playful nature of the Capoeiristas as well as their grace, and power. Coming in a close second would be parkour (a.k.a. free running). Remember that opening scene from Casino Royale? Well, I was a parkour fan before then, but that seven minutes of pure beauty in motion sealed the deal for me.

What is your must-have item at the Co-op?
My must-have item at the Co-op is SugarBee apples.  However, they are seasonal.  So, first runner-up is the Co-op’s cornbread!

If you were a fruit or vegetable, what kind would you be, and why?
If I were a fruit, I would be a banana – all sorts of goodness nicely wrapped up, and so versatile!  If I were a vegetable, I would be baby sweet broccoli – hanging out with ramen whenever I could!

What are some of your interests and hobbies outside of the Co-op?
Outside of the Co-op and other work and family responsibilities, I live on my yoga mat. When I am in a good mood, I also enjoy cooking and baking. However, my favorite thing to do is to have a warm bath late at night or early in the morning when everyone else is fast sleep, and it is absolutely quiet. 

 

Alecks Moss (she/her), Board Vice President - Term expires 2026

If you could learn one thing, what would it be?
How to properly identify all the plants in our region!

What is your must-have item at the Co-op?
I’ll have to agree with John B., Michele’s Granola is a must, but I prefer the Almond Butter flavor.

If you were a fruit or vegetable, what kind would you be, and why?
This is a surprisingly tough question. I’d say a local Honeycrisp apple because it’s something I look forward to each year. A somewhat tough, crunchy exterior, but once you bite into it–just as sweet as can be.

What are some of your interests and hobbies outside of the Co-op?
Making fresh tea from the garden, learning about the fascinating, nutritive uses of herbs and edible plants, playing games (my favorite is Egyptian Rat Screw), and going for walks outside with my family.

Juan Ducos (he/him), Board Treasurer - Term expires 2024

 

If you could learn one thing, what would it be?
I would love to learn how to navigate via celestial bodies. It blows my mind that there are individuals that know how to navigate using this practice.

What is your must-have item at the Co-op?
Cheese, Cheese, Cheese and more Cheese. No, but really…. The cheese selection is fabulous.

If you were a fruit or vegetable, what kind would you be, and why?
Garlic. It comes in a pod with the rest of its friends and is usually best when they are all included. I don’t subscribe to the belief that you can ever have “too much garlic”.

What are some of your interests and hobbies outside of the Co-op?
I suffer strongly from wanderlust and am convinced that my purpose in life is to eat my way around the world. When I’m not eating you can usually find me playing some video games, working in our garden, or planning my next trip. I also am a proud dad to a bearded dragon & border collie.

Megan Schneebaum (she/her), Board Secretary - Term expires 2025

If you could learn one thing, what would it be?
I would love to be fluent in another language, or learn to play a musical instrument.

What is your must-have item at the Co-op?
That’s a little like asking me about who my favorite child is… I love SO many things at the Co-op! If I have to narrow it down I would choose from either the bulk department or produce. I love, love being able to purchase as many items as I can in bulk without contributing to wasteful packaging! And in produce I love all our beautiful, fresh organic and local produce especially. We really have an amazing selection. But then again I also love shopping in Wellness…

If you were a fruit or vegetable, what kind would you be, and why?
Probably some type of berry. There are so many great edible berry varieties on the planet. Maybe a blueberry? They are small, versatile, easily transportable, can be used fresh or dried or frozen, and are great by themselves or to complement other ingredients…

What are some of your interests and hobbies outside of the Co-op?
I live on a small farm/homestead in Eastern Frederick County with my partner and our four homeschooled children. When I have extra time (haha, whatever that is) I love to read about organic and sustainable farming practices, herbalism, wild plant identification, and self-sufficiency. Also I love to hike, camp, go on road trips, and eat foods from around the world.

Merrick McKelvie (they/them), Board Director - Term expires 2025

If you could learn one thing, what would it be?
I wish I could learn so many things! Can I give my top 3 choices? 1. I would really like to learn American Sign Language. 2. I would like to learn how to play the banjo. 3. I would also like to learn blacksmithing.

What is your must-have item at the Co-op?
This is a terrible answer but…Kerrygold Dubliner Cheese is a necessity in our home 😂

If you were a fruit or vegetable, what kind would you be, and why?
I would be garlic. Helps create a steady base and foundation for recipes, has therapeutic properties, wards off vampires.

What are some of your interests and hobbies outside of the Co-op?
I really love to read – philosophy (anarchism, post-structuralism, feminist and queer theory), poetry, and science-fiction/horror are some of my go-to genres. I also like to write, spend time with animals (dogs, cats, horses, etc), and I really enjoy going for hikes and long walks downtown with my partner and our dogs, Loki and Penny.

Kai Hagen (he/him), Board Director - Term expires 2026

How long have you been shopping at the Co-op?
We’ve been patronizing the Common Market for more than 20 years.

What is your must-have item at the Co-op?
If I have to pick a “must-have” item it would be Lingonberry Preserves.

If you were a fruit or vegetable, what kind would you be, and why?
If I were a fruit or vegetable, I would be a Paw Paw, because they are still the way nature made them, they’re native around here, and mostly harvested in the wild.

What are some of your interests and hobbies outside of the Co-op?
My interests and hobbies outside the Co-op include environmental and climate activism, exploring nature, photography, reading and writing.

Joe Eastwood (they/them), Board Director - Term expires 2024

If you could learn one thing, what would it be?
Gardening! Anything we can do to make our communities more resilient.

What is your must-have item at the Co-op?
“Perfect” Bars… I am probably 40% bar! If only they were vegan…

If you were a fruit or vegetable, what kind would you be, and why?
Well, I would want to be some type of tasty citrus – but I might be a pear instead.

What are some of your interests and hobbies outside of the Co-op?
Mutual aid, music & hiking. I love being outside.

Armando Martinez (he/they), Board Director- Term expires 2024

If you could learn one thing, what would it be?
The one thing I would love to learn how to write stand-up comedy!

What is your must-have item at the Co-op?
My must have from the market is Oatly Barista Blend.

If you were a fruit or vegetable, what kind would you be, and why?
I already identify as a fruit so if I were a vegetable I would without a doubt be some kind of potato because they are a crowd favorite.

What are some of your interests and hobbies outside of the Co-op?
When I’m not contributing to the market you can usually find me at home watching movies with my partner Corey, our cat Hamual Sesame Seed Bun Borger, and the ghost that haunts our house. I also collects mugs and vinyl.

Toby Schermerhorn (she/her), Board Director- Term expires 2026

If you could learn one thing, what would it be?
I would love to learn how to play the guitar. Small enough to carry with me anywhere. No electricity required.

What is your must-have item at the Co-op?
Every time I go to the Common Market, I purchase berries. In season, or not, they are my go-to breakfast food.

If you were a fruit or vegetable, what kind would you be, and why?
Kale.  It is one of the most versatile and healthy foods I eat daily. It is a great support vegetable. It is usually the base or added texture in a recipe. Rarely the main ingredient. Perfectly content in its supportive strength role.

What are some of your interests and hobbies outside of the Co-op?
When I am not working as an architect or teaching yoga, I spend my weekends tending my garden, or in my camper on the Chesapeake Bay, making pottery.

Zoë Brittain (she/her), Staff-Board Liaison- Term expires 2024

If you could learn one thing, what would it be? 

How to manage time. Not just my time, but time in general.

What is your must-have item at the Co-op?

Choose just one? Impossible! If I have to name something, it’s the Co-op itself. That makes all the other must-haves possible.

If you were a fruit or vegetable, what kind would you be, and why?

A mushroom, of course. Mushrooms are mysterious, magical, intelligent, and delicious. They cross boundaries, transform matter, disseminate information and nutrients, and provide housing for real and fantastical creatures.

What are some of your interests and hobbies outside of the Co-op?

Parenting and dog ownership, with frequent forays into writing, reading, hiking, cooking, and philosophizing about how to be better at (see preceding list).