Long-time volunteer Helen McLean has submitted her resignation to the Co-op Market Board of Directors. We want to recognize and honor her selfless and generous service.

Helen was there at the beginning. I met her at one of our very first co-op meetings, about seven years before our grand opening. Through the years she has given so much to our cooperative. She’s always given freely of her time and efforts. She even provided the Board with a regular meeting place in her family’s beautiful home. So many times we gathered there for potluck dinners before the meetings. Those potlucks were definitely a highlight of our earlier days.

During our first years, many of our activities revolved around planning and executing fundraising events.  Helen was always one of the first to volunteer and seemed to get most everything done, making our fundraising efforts seem effortless and fun.

Now the Board will be less occupied with fundraising as we turn our attention to expediting the Co-op’s success. Board membership has changed, and we’ve welcomed new members (AnneMarie Billingsley, Angela Matz and Shannon McClure) and new officers (President Anduin McElroy and Vice President Chase Nelson).

In keeping with the Co-op spirit, we “old” Board members (Rob Leach, Rich Seifert and I) find it very gratifying to see the Board leadership be transferred to the “next generation.” We are confident that our cooperative will continue to grow and prosper as an iconic – yet new – Fairbanks business.

Thank you, Helen for your faithful service. We wish you well in your new career at the Lodge at Black Rapids. I am sure it will be a wonderful fit for your talents and work ethic. And we know you’ll always be an integral part of the Co-op.