Deep Roots Co-op Owners, join us Saturday, May 3rd, for your Annual Owners Meeting!
As a thank you for your time and involvement, you'll receive a 20% off coupon when you check in at the meeting. Owners who wish to attend are asked to please RSVP on the event page.
The Annual Owners Meeting is for Co-op Owners only, but will be followed by a Benefit Concert for the Co-op & Community Plant Sale Event, which is open to everyone!
Board candidate profiles and proposed bylaws amendments are outlined below. In-person and online voting will open May 3rd, following the meeting, and will run through May 10th.
Meet the Candidates
This year, we have four open seats on the Board. Candidates are listed below, alphabetically by last name.
Cecelia Allen (incumbent)
Cecelia has served as a Board member since 2023 and acts as the Committee Chair for Policy Governance. She views Deep Roots as a key community resource, focusing on educating owners and shoppers about the Health and Wellness section and promoting the benefits of a healthy diet.
Transitioning from a regular customer to an engaged owner has deepened her appreciation for the dedicated staff and the cooperative's mission. Cecelia finds her board experience both challenging and rewarding, emphasizing the importance of exceptional customer service in distinguishing Deep Roots within a competitive market.
Lisa Blakley
As a passionate owner and advocate for holistic health, driven by her experience living with Type 1 diabetes. Lisa's journey has led her to embrace an integrated approach to wellness, emphasizing proper diet, exercise, and stress management.
Having studied at the Living Foods Institute and the Hippocrates Institute, she has gained valuable insights into the benefits of raw food diets in managing chronic conditions. She is dedicated to Deep Roots' mission and aims to enhance owner engagement and raise awareness of the co-op's vital role in promoting community health and wellness.
Lisa Hinton Donkor
Lisa Donkor is an advocate for sustainable food systems and an enthusiastic supporter of Deep Roots Market. Her experience managing sustainable agriculture at Live Well Community Farm and volunteering in community gardens highlights her commitment to promoting food accessibility.
As the founder of Safe Place Transportation LLC, Lisa has shown leadership in serving underserved populations. With her background as a board member for Too Much TV and her involvement in community initiatives, she is eager to bring her skills to the Deep Roots board to enhance its impact and promote equitable access to healthy, locally sourced food.
Benjamin Free
Benjamin has been a member of Deep Roots Market since 2024, and is eager to increase his involvement beyond shopping, currently visiting the co-op three times a month. As a pastor, he focuses on community outreach and serves through various programs while also working with the City of Greensboro Parks & Recreation to develop impactful initiatives. He believes in building partnerships with non-profits, churches, and businesses to enhance access to healthy foods and foster community engagement.
Committed to teamwork and leadership growth, Benjamin is excited to contribute to the co-op's mission.
Hanna Garner
Hanna is a dedicated member at the Co-op and has recently utilized the delivery service. She brings valuable experience from her time on the board of Preservation Burlington, where she was heavily involved in fundraising and community events, including the annual Tour of Homes.
She views Deep Roots as a crucial community hub for sustainability and healthy food. Driven by her desire to serve and create meaningful change, Hanna aims to positively impact others. With her background in customer service, hospitality, retail management, and event planning, she believes she can bring valuable skills to the board.
Spoma Jovanovic (incumbent)
Spoma has been a dedicated owner of Deep Roots for many years and stepped into a leadership role after retiring as a communication studies professor at UNCG. As president of the board, she focuses on enhancing the co-op's financial condition and preparing for its 50th anniversary in 2026, while passionately sharing the story of Greensboro's only food co-op.
With experience as a business owner and educator, Spoma brings skills in writing, strategic planning, and relationship-building to the board. She is committed to advancing Deep Roots' mission of food safety, community connections, and democratic practices while helping to retire its final debt.
Andrea Li
Andrea is a long-time member of Deep Roots Market who actively connects local organic farmers with the co-op. With two years of experience as board chair of the Caswell County farmers market and volunteer work at Boca Helping Hands, she has strong skills in community engagement and non-profit service.
Andrea sees Deep Roots as vital for promoting real, whole foods and fostering awareness of their importance. Her mission is to advocate for transparency in the food industry, encouraging responsible food choices for better health and sustainability.
Brandon Martin
Brandon is a frequent shopper at the Co-op and appreciates our commitment to the community. He has served on the HOA board and as a member of the home builders association, bringing valuable board experience. As the owner of a 20-acre farm, he understands the significance of local agriculture and regularly enjoys the co-op's buffet.
Keen on becoming more involved, Brandon looks forward to contributing to the co-op's mission and enriching its operations.
Jonathan Stephens
Jonathan is eager to contribute to the community by serving on the Board, where he can support access to healthy food and help shape the co-op’s future. With strong teamwork and leadership skills, he excels in collaborative environments with fellow owners.
He understands the role of the Board in providing oversight and strategic direction while allowing the General Manager to handle operational details. Jonathan is committed to actively engaging in monthly meetings and contributing his expertise to enhance owner engagement and drive the co-op forward.
Rykiell Turner
Rykiell Turner is a committed community advocate, single mother, and business owner focused on building strong connections. Her extensive involvement in community engagement began at Bennett College for Women, where she actively participated in various organizations and events.
As a Telehealth therapist and local government employee, Rykiell values collective action and equitable access to resources. Passionate about reciprocity, she is eager to join the Deep Roots board to leverage her skills and unique perspective in support of the co-op and the wider community.
Pennington Vanstory
Pennington has a strong dedication to service. In Nashville, TN, he volunteered weekly with Music City Meals, helping to distribute 300 meals each day to individuals experiencing homelessness.
After returning to Greensboro, Pennington is eager to deepen their involvement in the community they cherish. With a family legacy of community engagement, they are excited to contribute to the Deep Roots board, focusing on the co-op's vital role in promoting education and opportunity.
Proposed Bylaws Amendments
Bylaws amendments require approval by the Co-op Owners. The Board of Directors has proposed the following bylaws amendments for approval at this year’s Annual Owners Meeting. The proposed changes are indicated in bold red text. Each of the four sections is preceded by an explanation, in italics, of the proposal.
Proposal 1
It's rarely happened, but there can be owner meetings in addition to the Annual Meeting. The bylaws currently doesn't differentiate between them -- this attempts to clarify respective agendas. Also, the language dates back to when the election of Directors all took place at the Annual Meeting. This is no longer the case. The new wording officially allows for this.
Section 3.1 Regular meetings
At least one regular meeting, an An annual meeting of owners shall be held after the close of each fiscal year and after all financial reports have been received and reviewed by the Board. The purposes of the meeting shall be to hear reports on operations and finances, to introduce candidates and begin to election of directors, and to conduct such other business as may properly come before the meeting. Final election results will be announced at least 5 days before the board meeting following the Annual Owners Meeting.
Proposal 2
This attempts to better accommodate special meetings beyond the Annual Meeting.
Section 3.4 - Notice
Written notice of the time and place (and,; in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes of the meeting) shall be delivered to each owner of record not less than thirty days nor more than sixty days before the date of the meeting. Notice shall also be posted prominently at all places of business of the Cooperative.
Proposal 3
In recent years, having an extended voting period has made it difficult to comply with the requirement that new Directors have an Orientation session prior to their first Board meeting. The new wording removes that pressure by instituting another month before the new terms begin.
Section 4.4 - Terms
Directors shall be elected for terms of three years which shall be staggered so that, as nearly as may be practicable, one-third shall expire in each year. Periodically as may be necessary to maintain such staggered terms, directors shall be elected for one-year or two-year terms. Directors may serve no more than three consecutive full three-year terms. After an absence of one or more years, a person may again be a candidate for a director position. The term of office of all directors shall begin with the first second meeting of the Board following the election of directors. Directors shall hold office until their successors are elected or until their offices are sooner terminated in accordance with these bylaws.
Proposal 4
This wording is to make the election of officers consistent with the previous change of having the new terms start a month later than previously.