Interested in getting more involved in the governance of Three Rivers Market? This month we invite members to attend our annual Member Picnic and to consider running for a seat on the Board. 

Upcoming Election 

Three Board seats are up for election each year. Interested candidates must attend a meeting (register here) in July, August, or September, during which there is a Candidate Q&A at the beginning of each meeting, and complete an application by October 1st, 2024, at 7 PM. 

Three Rivers Market is cooperatively owned by our members and democratically governed by our Board of Directors. All members have one vote in our annual election regardless of the number of Patronage Membership Interests (PMIs) held. Each year, members elect candidates to serve on the Board of Directors, which is responsible for the governance of Three Rivers Market. The Board consists of nine (9) Directors elected to three (3) year terms. To be eligible to vote or run for a seat on the Board, you must be a member. 

There are three primary responsibilities of the Board:

• To ensure sound management of the cooperative’s resources
• To act as trustees on behalf of the members
• To set long-range goals and to plan for the future

A Director may advocate interests of members or member groups to the Board, but the duty of each Director is to represent the best interests of the cooperative and all members collectively. Individual Directors do not direct the operation of the store, supervise staff members, or speak for the cooperative as a whole, except when the Board has authorized a Director as spokesperson. They exercise authority only as a group. To this end, the Board develops governance policies under a system called Policy Governance. Governing by policy ensures that its actions are predictable and considered and do not vary with the transient personalities of the individual Directors. Instead, the Board speaks with one voice and directs the General Manager with as much clarity and flexibility as possible.

Board of Directors Appointment

The Three Rivers Board of Directors is excited to announce the appointment of Knoxville-raised Brian Williams to Board seat 2, filling the only remaining vacant seat. 

Brian is a local business owner of more than 20 years, a graduate of Bearden High School and the University of Tennessee, and a frequent shopper at Three Rivers Market. 

Annual Picnic 

Three Rivers Market invites all members to our annual member picnic, which will be held on July 20th at the Ivan Racheff House & Gardens & Arboretum.

 WHAT: Three Rivers Market Member Picnic

WHERE: Ivan Racheff House & Gardens & Arboretum, 1943 Tennessee Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37921

WHEN: Saturday, July 20, 12-3pm

WHO: All Three Rivers members are invited. The event is free of charge.

 The member picnic is an annual event to allow members to meet each other, share a good meal, and learn more about the cooperative. We will have a cookout with options for all dietary needs, featuring a variety of food options that are regularly available at the store. Three Rivers Board and staff members will be present to answer questions and talk about the next steps for the co-op.

 Please register here to let us know you’ll attend.  We’re looking forward to great food and great company!