Prospective Board Member Packet - Commongrounds
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Prospective Board Member
Packet
Hello, fellow bird! Thank you for expressing interest
in becoming a candidate for the Board of Directors
of Commongrounds Cooperative!
We encourage you to:
• Review all of the information in this packet
• Attend the Candidate Q&A (time/date TBA)
• Ask us questions at hello@commongrounds.coop
1
COMMONGROUNDS COOPERATIVE
COOPERATIVE MISSION & OVERVIEW
SECTION 1: PROJECT OVERVIEW
ABOUT COMMONGROUNDS
Commongrounds is a real estate cooperative in Traverse City, Michigan. Our mission is
to develop real estate that meets community needs and increases quality of life for all
people in the region. As a cooperative, we are owned by the businesses that occupy
space in our building and community members who have invested money in the
organization. We are using these investments to create a building that integrates food,
family, arts, and wellness, generating triple-bottom-line returns to our owners and
neighbors. This creates an opportunity for all to contribute—making the community
we love even better, together.
PROJECT VISION AND LOCATION
Commongrounds is a 4-story mixed-use building scheduled to open in Spring 2022,
under construction now at 416 E. Eighth Street in Traverse City. This project adds timely
momentum to the
redevelopment of the North
Boardman Lake District, the
gateway to downtown. The
“NoBo” district has been
designated by the city of
Traverse City for redevelopment
as a multi-modal, compact,
vibrant “healthy living” corridor
and is proximately located to
water and trails.
The building is designed to
meet community needs by
including workforce housing
and early childhood care, as
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COMMONGROUNDS COOPERATIVE
well as arts, wellness, food, and family amenities that contribute to quality of life for all
people in the region. The project has proven community support and has already
raised $1.37 million from 500+ community members who are owners.
THE BUILDING
The building is designed to best practice “LEED-certifiable” standards for energy
efficiency and environmental impact. It has four stories and underground parking. The
first two floors are an integrated community center connected by an open atrium and
are committed to businesses and nonprofits that will own and operate food, family,
arts, and wellness organizations.
FIRST FLOOR
• Early Childhood Education & Family
Activity Center. Center providing early
childhood care and space for family-
centric arts, wellness, and healthy
food/nutrition classes. Owner-
Occupied
• Riverside Cafe and Food Hall. Owner:
Tony Vu Food Entrepreneur Incubator,
Higher Grounds Coffee, Iron Fish
Distillery. High-quality craft food and
beverages with outdoor seating on the
river. This space will incubate food
entrepreneurs and provide a low-cost
barrier to entry, shared staff, and mentors.
• Cafe coworking and meeting. Owner:
Commonplace. Coworking space co-
located in cafe. Serves as reservable
Owner- Owner-
meeting space.
Occupie Occupied
• Shared Lobby/Atrium with Visual Art d
Display. Connects first and second floor.
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COMMONGROUNDS COOPERATIVE
SECOND FLOOR
Owner-
Occupie • Performing Arts & Event Center.
d Owner: Commongrounds. Black box
space co-owned by Commongrounds
& a group of nonprofits for performing
arts, meeting, and education.
Owner-
• Coworking and Office Space. Owner;
Occupied
Commonplace and Groundwork Center.
Meeting and workspace for nonprofits and
Owner- businesses working in food, arts, wellness,
Occupied and family.
• Teaching Kitchen. Owner:
Commongrounds. Commercial kitchen
seats 10-20 people for nutrition/cooking
classes and catering, programmed by
Groundwork Center for Resilient
Communities.
• Shared Lobby and Reception. Atrium
stairway opens into shared lobby and
reception area for Commongrounds,
offices, and event space.
THIRD + FOURTH FLOORS
• Mixed Income Residential Rental Units. 24
rental units: micro, studio, 1-and 2-bedroom
units.
• Movement Studio. A movement studio will
provide space for wellness and exercise.
• High-Quality Design. High-quality materials
and thoughtful design for attractive, livable
spaces.
• Affordable. Rent based on income. ~ ¼
units to 60% alternative mortgage
instrument (AMI), ¼ units serving 80% AMI, ¼
serving average income; and ¼ units at
market rate.
• Shared amenities. Tenants have access to
wellness/exercise room, laundry, and guest
rooms.
• Green Roofs & Balconies. The third and
fourth floor have balconies with green roof
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COMMONGROUNDS COOPERATIVE
which may provide opportunity for resident
gardens.
PARKING & ACCESS
• Public underground vehicle parking.
Onsite, underground parking for 16 vehicles
and 3 above ground spots. All parking will
be public, metered parking.
• Adjacent to free, evening public parking.
Across the street are ~200 parking spots by
government buildings, which are free on
weekends and weekdays after 5pm.
• Proximate to two public parking ramps.
Within .3 miles of two parking ramps where
residents and employees can reserve spots.
• Multi-modal transport. Located on a bus
stop for the region’s excellent public bus
system and on a walk-and bike-friendly
street. Underground bike parking will be
available.
• Supports City Master Plan. The city
approved the limited parking on this site as
part of its plan to develop a compact,
walkable corridor. The city plans to expand
the Downtown Development Authority to
manage parking for the district as a whole.
5
COMMONGROUNDS COOPERATIVE
SCTION
2: BOARD 2: ABOUT
ROLES THE COOPERATIVE
& RESPONSIBILITIES (DRAFT)
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
1. Hire, support, and evaluate the CEO.
2. Ensure the organization is taking steps needed to be legally and fiscally sound.
3. Provide oversight and support to ensure Commongrounds is meeting its mission
and serving its members and community.
4. Serve as an advocate for Commongrounds in the community and within each
board director’s networks.
5. Ensure effectiveness of the board.
6. Serve on Ad Hoc committees as needed.
Board Overview:
Authority: The board is responsible for overall organization governance and
management of director/CEO.
Membership: 5-12 people. The interim board is appointed by existing board and
confirmed by tenants. The long-term board will have 2 members elected by
community owners and 1 member appointed by the board as a representative of the
Boardman River.
Scope of work: Board members have two roles: (1) governance (oversee and ensure
action is taken to drive forward organization mission, including governance and
financial oversight, stakeholder engagement, partnership development, staffing, and
long-term business planning); and (2) hands on volunteer time on committees.
Time: 2 hours/month for board meeting plus 2-10 hour/month (varied) for committee
work.
Committee Overview:
Authority: Committees report to and are overseen by the Board.
Membership: 3-12 people, depending on committee. At least 2 board members per
committee.
Scope of work: See chart below regarding work for committees (Business Plan,
Engagement, Real Estate Development, Tenant-Owners). Conduct hands on work to
assist staff work (with support from staff).
Term/Timeframe: The Interim Board and Committees will serve through spring 2022
(now through Grand Opening) via 2-3 year terms.
6
COMMONGROUNDS COOPERATIVE
What to expect: Commongrounds will strive for fun and productive meetings with
clear roles, expectations, and delicious snacks for board members. Staff will work with
the board chair and to support the board’s development by advising on agendas and
organizational strategy, facilitating discussions, and maintaining the board calendar
and action plan.
COMMONGROUNDS COOPERATIVE BOARD +
COMMITTEE ROLES (DRAFT)
BOARD: 2021 Outcomes
• Affirm/develop/refine 5-year vision for building and organizations
• Grow and refine governance and financial infrastructure
• Hire CEO/ED
• Ensure creation of sustainable long-term business plan
• Engage stakeholders in business plan and building development
Commongrounds 2021 Board
(A) ensure building and organization
provide triple bottom line returns to
stakeholders in alignment with shared
mission, values, and vision.
Business Plan Engagement Real Estate Dev
Committee Committee Committee
(R) Oversee business (R) Oversee stakeholder (R) Oversee real estate
planning for 2022 and development and development and
beyond. engagement. construction.
2021-22 Outcomes 2021-22 Outcomes 2021-22 Outcomes
Subject to board oversight Subject to board oversight Subject to board oversight
and approval: and approval: and approval:
• (R) Oversee shared space • (R) Oversee stakeholders • (R) Oversee construction
and event planning for (owners, partners, management, including
long-term triple bottom community) engagement budgeting and
line sustainability of and recognition, including expenditures. Oversee
building. through communication, continued design though
• (R) Develop revenue and events, and participating fit & finish. Coordinate
fundraising plans to in business plan and with tenant build-outs.
support business plan building design and art
• (R) Oversee inclusive
community partnership
development and
fundraising campaigns
• (S) Help staff plan events.
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COMMONGROUNDS COOPERATIVE
MORE ABOUT COMMONGROUNDS GOVERNANCE
Real estate cooperatives can have different structures, but Commongrounds will have
at least two classes of ownership (community owners and occupant owners) who will
elect our board:
COMMUNITY TENANT COOPERATIVE
OWNERS OWNERS BOARD
Technically renters but
hold special rights Majority of board
Ownership is open to similar to ownership. controlled by 1st/2nd
everyone. Commercial and floor tenant owner
residential tenants have representatives.
different rights.
1st/2nd floor tenants
Qualified owners have purchase special coop Two representatives
the opportunity to shares tied to their lease
at set price; and have the elected by community
invest and earn a
right to sell and earn owners.
return starting at $250
back investment.
1st/2nd floor tenants
1 representative of the
have the right to serve
River (a board position
Elect 2 board on the board and must
charged with providing
representatives approve all major
feedback on
decisions affecting the
environmental impact)
building.
Share cooperative staff
who design super cool 1 representative from
Special owner
events to better serve residential + 1
privileges, including community by representative from
events and classes leveraging all building office
partners
Authority to make most
Part of an awesome Part of an awesome major decisions for the
Cooperative and
community community supervise day-to-day
operations.
8
COMMONGROUNDS COOPERATIVE
WHO MAKES DECISIONS?
Like other corporations, the Board retains most of the power to run the organization
and make decisions, subject to the authority it delegates to staff with oversight.
Community
DECISIONS APPROVED Co-op Occupant Community
Owner -
BY: Board Owners Owners
Investors
Only changes Adopt bylaws &
Adopt and amend articles of
Yes affecting changes No
incorporation and bylaws
occupants affecting class
Adopt mission/vision/values Yes Yes Input only No
One director
Vote to elect Board of
N/A from each Elect 2 directors N/A
Directors
(hold majority)
Annual budget and
workplan; including Yes Input only Input only No
patronage returns
Day-to-day cooperative
Yes Input only Input only N/A
management
Approve new tenants and
transfer of tenant owner
Yes Yes Input only No
shares and lease to new
tenant
Approve debt or refinance;
pursue remedies against Yes No No No
tenant-owner
Transfer of tenant owner
Yes Yes No N/A
share and proprietary lease
Determine use of common
areas, property maintenance, Yes Input only No No
and conflict resolution
Approve changes to building Yes Yes Input only No
Changes in community
Yes No No Yes
owner investment terms
Sale of building, dissolution,
additional capital call from
Yes Yes No No
occupant owners; changes to
leases
9
COMMONGROUNDS COOPERATIVE
10 COMMONGROUNDS COOPERATIVE
CURRENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
As a real estate cooperative, the board is appointed by the occupant owners and the
community owners (the majority of director positions are appointed by the occupant
owners; two positions are appointed by the community owners). The directors on
our board have a broad base of skills, experiences, and networks.
Heidi Gustine, Attia Qureshi,
Executive Director at Change Management
the Area Agency on and Negotiation
Aging of Northwest Consultant
Michigan
Michael Mittelstaedt, Nick Viox,
Director of the Motion Events Coordinator,
Picture Arts Division at Traverse City
Interlochen Center for Downtown
the Arts Development
Authority
Chris Treter,
Rachel Johnson,
Co-founder of Higher
Member Relations
Grounds Coffee and
Manager at Cherryland
Commongrounds
Electric Cooperative
Cooperative
Matt Hollander,
Valarie Handy, Managing principal of
Certified Economic Hollander
Developer and Development and a
Principal of Handy second-generation
Enterprises, LLC affordable housing
developer
11
COMMONGROUNDS COOPERATIVE3: PRINCIPLES & VALUES
COMMONGROUNDS CORE VALUES
Stakeholder Ownership
We believe that when we invite stakeholders to shape the future of our
building, it becomes an inclusive and accessible development, responsive
to the needs of our community. Ownership includes the responsibility of
participation and giveback.
Inclusive Integration
We are different parts coming together as a functional whole, invested in
each other’s’ vitality and caring for long-term relationships between
humans and our built and natural environments. We believe in inviting
diverse stakeholders and treating each other with love and respect
because our individual well-being is inextricably linked to the well-being
of the whole. We believe in courageous engagement on the common
grounds that unite us—building trust, empathy, and a culture of curious
and respectful dialogue so that we may heal, grow, and connect through
that which divides us. We acknowledge that barriers exist and commit to
an active pursuit of inclusion, including without limit: diversity of
experiences, education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender
identity and/or expression, nation of origin, age, veteran’s status, color,
religion, physical ability, sexual orientation, and beliefs.
Intentional Space and Connection (Place and Culture)
We cultivate a place and culture where the energy resonates with each
moment, where safety and trust are paramount, play is standard and
innovation and connection are nurtured. We believe in good design that
provides an architecture where light, color, and serendipity coexist.
Transparent Communication + Accountability
We seek to create a space that is viable for our community, guided by
what we observe, learn and hear input around. We strive to be clear
about where we have fallen short and where we still need to grow.
12
COMMONGROUNDS COOPERATIVECOOPERATIVE PRINCIPLES (UNIVERSAL INTERNATIONAL
COOPERATIVE ALLIANCE)
1. Voluntary and Open Membership
Cooperatives are voluntary organizations, open to all persons able to use their
services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without
gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination.
2. Democratic Member Control
Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who
actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions. Men and
women serving as elected representatives are accountable to the membership.
In primary cooperatives members have equal voting rights (one member, one
vote) and cooperatives at other levels are also organized in a democratic
manner.
3. Member Economic Participation
Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their
cooperative. At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the
cooperative. Members usually receive limited compensation, if any, on capital
subscribed as a condition of membership. Members allocate surpluses for any or
all of the following purposes: developing their cooperative, possibly by setting up
reserves, part of which at least would be indivisible; benefiting members in
proportion to their transactions with the cooperative; and supporting other
activities approved by the membership.
4. Autonomy and Independence
Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their
members. If they enter into agreements with other organizations, including
governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that
ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their cooperative
autonomy.
5. Education, Training, and Information
Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected
representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute effectively to
the development of their co-operatives. They inform the general public—
particularly young people and opinion leaders—about the nature and benefits of
co-operation.
6. Cooperation among Cooperatives
Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the
cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional
and international structures.
7. Concern for Community
Cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities
through policies approved by their members
13
COMMONGROUNDS COOPERATIVE.
4: CANDIDATE APPLICATION
COMMONGROUNDS BOARD OF DIRECTORS NOMINATION
Please follow the link below to complete and submit your application:
Online Application
*You will be asked to answer the below prompts in the online application form
(300 word max for all four questions). You will also be asked to upload a photo of
yourself. Your answers and headshot will be shared with the ownership on the
nomination’s webpage and owner update newsletter.
*Upon receipt of your application, we will provide you with information regarding
the Candidate Q&A Session.
1. Why are you interested in serving on the Commongrounds Board?
2. What strengths and skills would you bring to your role as a director on the
board?
3 If you were a bird, what species would you be and why?
Thank you again for your interest in leading our flock! We are excited to make this
community we love even better, together!
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