We hope you know that TTM’s Free Store is a very innovative initiative. What you may not know is that the store’s governance is also innovative.
Since our inception on June, 2014, the Free Store has been managed democratically by its volunteers. Most significant decisions have been made by consensus and individual volunteers are fully empowered to make on-the-spot decisions about daily operational issues while they are working their two-hour store shift. We’ve used a number of methods for group discussions and decisions including a facilitated circle dialogue, an on-line collaborative decision-making tool called Loomio, Facebook groups for store volunteers, face-to-face group meetings, and on-line surveys. It seems we’ve tried it all.
Most recently, our volunteers have revisited a past plan to create a smaller, more nimble elected committee to govern the store. This newly-elected five person committee will make significant decisions for Free Store operations after soliciting volunteer feedback. Smaller decisions may be made with more limited input. We know that our committee and all our volunteers will continue to provide their love and leadership to the Free Store. We are grateful for all they do. And a special thanks to all who offered to serve on the committee.
Congratulations to our inaugural committee members: Julie DiRemigio, April Leffler, Emma Medina-Castrejon, Mary Van Horn, and Donna Wheaton.
Donate to support the Free Store. Become a Free Store volunteer.
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