Democratic Member Participation is a critical part of being a Cooperative. The Board of Directors represents YOU, so we urge all of our Members to vote in the annual Board Election.
The Board is not accepting candidate applications at this time. Please check back in summer 2027 for information about the next election
The nine Directors on our Board represent our Members by steering the direction of the Co-op, and they advise our General Manager via Policy Governance. They cooperate on strategic planning and organizational well-being, vote on significant financial decisions, and participate in project committees.
Elections are typically held in the fall to coincide with our Annual Meeting. Each year 3 seats become available on the Board of Directors; candidates include incumbent directors and community members. If you’d like to become a candidate, please read more here.
Voter Eligibility
To be eligible to vote in the annual Board Election, you must:
- Be a Full Member, ie own four or more shares in the Cooperative;
- Be listed as the primary name on your Member account.
Only one ballot may be cast per Membership, and only the Primary Member listed on your account may vote. If you have a secondary name listed on your account, or other household members who “borrow” your account, it can cause lots of confusion at election time. You will not be able to cast your ballot if someone has already done so using your Member number.
If you haven’t done so already, election season is a great opportunity to **@***********op.org“>check and update your Membership information, make sure your Primary Name, mailing address, and email are correct, acquire more shares, become a full Member, and make your voice heard in the oversight and direction of your Co-op.
How to Vote
We use a website called Election Buddy to handle our Board Elections. Eligible Members will receive either a mailed letter and/or an email from Election Buddy. This will include information about the election, along with a link to access the Election Buddy ballot. Only one ballot is permitted per Membership. Your information is kept private, and only used for the purposes of the Election.
Have questions? Don’t have internet access? Didn’t get a letter or an email from Election Buddy? Please reach out to our Community Relations Manager, Becky Colpitts, for assistance. Contact in**@***********op.org, or call 603-444-2800 and leave a message with the Service Desk. Note that it is best to call or email us, since we are not always immediately available for walk-in inquiries.
If you don’t have a computer or access to the internet, paper ballots will be available by request at the Service Desk during the voting period. Simply fill out a ballot, and we will enter your votes into the online system on your behalf.
Didn’t get a letter from Election Buddy? It’s most likely one of these reasons:
- Your contact information is not up to date in our records;
- You are not listed as the Primary Member on your account;
- You own less than 4 shares, which means you are not eligible to vote;
- You very recently purchased a brand new Membership;
- You very recently upgraded to Full Membership.
Again, feel free to reach out and we can help! We can easily adjust your contact information, check the name on your account, check how many shares you own, help you purchase additional shares, and more. If you’re a new Full Member you probably missed the first round of election notices, so keep an eye on your email inbox – you should receive an email from Election Buddy before the election ends. We are also able to cast votes manually on your behalf.
Meet the Candidates
Taylore Aussiker
Background & Experience
Taylore has taught English for over ten years and advised school organizations such as the GSA and NHS. She holds a BA in Graphic Design from Lyndon State College and an MA in English Education from Plymouth State University. Her professional experience includes full-time and freelance graphic design for marketing and self-publishing, as well as active involvement in teacher union negotiations and board governance with Umbrella in St. Johnsbury.
Co-op Vision & Priorities
Taylore values the Co-op’s community programs, including the Co-op Food Fund and Partners of the Month. She aims to foster community engagement, equity, and diversity through co-op events and partnerships. She views local food as vital for health, sustainability, and supporting regional farms.
Jon Avins
Background & Experience
Jon offers a background in economics, legal analysis, and community focus groups. He served seven years as a World Bank development economist designed health and education projects and has practiced commercial and civil rights law since 1999. He holds a BA from Sarah Lawrence, an MA from Johns Hopkins, and a JD from Georgetown Law.
Co-op Vision & Priorities
Jon views the Co-op as a central community hub and wants to introduce high-impact initiatives, such as food pricing education resources, affordable “menu baskets” for busy families, and support for growing local producers. He aims to apply his financial, analytical, and consensus-building skills to expand access to healthy, affordable local food across the community.
Kimberly Cartwright
Background & Experience
Kimberly has worked as a college administrator, non-profit leader, event planner, and owner of a building trades business. She holds a degree in Business Management and a Master’s in Higher Education Administration and Counseling. She has extensive experience participating in and serving alongside community and non-profit boards.
Co-op Vision & Priorities
Kimberly brings strategic thinking and collaboration skills to the Board. She seeks to address local economic challenges by ensuring the Co-op remains an accessible resource for healthy food, while strengthening relationships with local farmers, bakers, and food producers.
Amber Chase
Background & Experience
Amber has been a Co-op staff member for three years, currently serving as Front End Assistant Manager Backup and Manager on Duty. She actively participates on the Co-op Green Team and manages the exit-area free library. She holds a teaching degree from CCV and has past experience in early childhood education, elder care, and retail operations.
Co-op Vision & Priorities
Amber brings direct knowledge of daily store operations and employee/customer perspective. She is eager to help the Co-op succeed by assisting with operational changes, clearly communicating adjustments, promoting sustainable practices, and supporting local farming families.
Thea Ritchey
Background & Experience
Thea is a Littleton mother of three, entrepreneur, and community builder. She owns Glow Studio and Inner Sky Astrology, where her work centers on helping people feel welcomed, supported, and connected. She also bring nearly 20 years of hospitality experience, including team leadership, operations, guest service, and community relationship-building.
Co-op Vision & Priorities
Thea wants to deepen her community connection through board service. She brings creative abilities and leadership skills to the Board, focusing on community outreach and advocating for the value of nutrition and local food.
