Does the idea of planning sessions with your co-op board of directors fill you with dread? Do you spend more time talking about planning than actually doing any planning?

Ever heard the phrase, "Work smarter, not harder?" Ever wonder, as I have, exactly what that phrase means?

"Culture" maybe hard to define, but the signs of a dysfunctional workplace culture are hard to ignore. Do any of these sound like your co-op?

Nestled in the rolling hills of southern Indiana, Bloomington is an oasis of natural beauty and culture and is home to Indiana University, the state's largest school.

Retail food cooperatives have long valued their unique characteristics and independence.

I don't have any statistics on this, but I'd bet that the vast majority of natural foods co-ops started out as collectively run organizations.

Many co-ops talk about the need to move or expand for years. Often it is all talk, with a few false starts and little formal planning or action.

A relative recently gave one of us a book of pithy personal advice with the humble title of "How to do Everything Right" (we won't dwell on the reason for this particular gift).

There is so much good news to report, in addition to what appears in this edition, that many of the stories will have to wait. For example: new co-op stores!