Although I could not attend GreenTree’s 2026 Annual Owner Meeting in person this year, I would still like to extend a warm greeting to all our Co-op Owners, staff, and my fellow Board Members. First things first though – a huge thank you to the Annual Owner Meeting Committee, Joseph, Debbie, Kim, and Barb, for their planning and organizing. I’m so thrilled we were able to hold the event at Island Park!
A big thank you to all the Co-op Owners who attended. Co-ops could not exist without an active membership and your continued participation and patronage is our lifeblood.
Twelve months ago, our outlook was very different than it is today. GreenTree is currently in a much stronger financial position than we were one year ago. In 2024 the Board had to make the difficult decision to postpone Investor Dividends as responsible financial management precluded approving the dividend. Then last summer, GreenTree finally received the long overdue Employee Retention Credits that we earned by keeping the store operating and our employees employed during Covid. That meant that we could not only pay the Investor Dividends for 2025 but also pay out 2024’s postponed dividends. Keeping our commitments is important.
A large part of GreenTree’s more solid financial footing is due to Megan and her tireless work on the budget and operation numbers. Even while we were navigating our precarious situation, Megan was able to keep our loans paid as well as funding general operations. Her department leadership team was also instrumental in our success by adhering to standard co-op financial benchmarks and meeting margin goals. As you know, most retail stores operate on razor thin margins, and our store is no different.
Although she’s been our General Manager for over 2 years at this point, 2025 was her first full year as General Manager and we could not be more pleased. She dove into operations, took on new programs, new vendors, and somehow found the time to apply for grants to help GreenTree fund additional projects. Through grants her leadership team obtained free training at Mid-Michigan Community College as well as a new automatic door and some free marketing. Megan also entered the store in a U.S. Chamber of Commerce program where we were recognized as one of the Top 100 Small Businesses in the country.
I would also like to thank the Board Retreat Committee for planning and executing an exceptional Board Retreat this past October. The facilitator, Monica at People Forward out of Kalamazoo, was outstanding and led us towards the development of several programs that will move us forward both in terms of upleveling our skills and effectiveness as a Board as well as increasing the Board’s ability to support the GM, which in turn supports the store and its staff.
One of the more intriguing topics brought up in the retreat is the question as to whether we are a community institution that happens to sell groceries, or a grocery store with community values? Do we want to be more of the first than the second? Or vice versa?
This coming year, the Board will continue to explore that gem as well as continuing to improve through intentional recruitment and Board Member development. Continued Board Member development will better position us to support the General Manager which allows her to support her department leadership team and staff in turn. Which means a stronger Co-op for all of us.
A heartfelt thanks to all the 2025 Board Members for their hard work, support and contributions, especially Mike, our Vice Chair who has picked up the slack for me several times this year! Thank you to all the staff who make the store and shopping there such a pleasant experience. And finally, thanks to all the Co-op Owners, especially those who obviously love GreenTree as much as we do!
In Community, respectfully submitted by Alice Ciccu
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