Rising Tide Bylaws                             

Hello Member-Owners, 
We would like to introduce you to the Rising Tide Board of Directors. 
Graham Walsh, President
 
 
 
Sara Rauscgenberg, Secretary
 
Kevin Posman
 
Dwight Hobbs
Graham Walsh, President, (pictured top, left) has been a patron of Rising Tide since the early days when the location was what is now the “Woman of Substance” building. He is a regular face at Rising Tide, often times visiting more than once a day to shop.  Walsh enjoys assisting patrons, tidying up if he sees the need, engages in conversation with staff and customers, and provides suggestions when appropriate.  While the Shop Manager and Director of Admissions and Sales for the Apprenticeshop in Rockland, Walsh oversaw daily operations, managed the physical plant, and acquired materials for traditional boat building programs. Currently, Walsh works in Advertising at the Lincoln County News, which keeps him connected to the community on many levels. 
 
Beth Polhemus, Vice President, (pictured top, right) has been a member of Rising Tide for 10 years and brings her small business expertise and passion for food and sustainability to the Board. After thirty years of restaurant operations, she’s aware that she is still learning about the impact she can and should have as a business owner. She brings that sensibility along with enthusiasm, creativity, and a heartfelt desire to contribute to the Rising Tide community to her role as a board member. Beth enjoys the challenges and opportunities that come with cooperative governance.
 
Sara Rauscgenberg, Secretary, (pictured left) is passionate about the quality of food and where it comes from. She believes local, sustainable food is important to the health of our planet and our society. Rising Tide promotes these values and shares her interest in educating others about responsible food choices. Sara has been a member-owner for over a decade and became a board member to play a more active role in helping the Co-op grow and succeed. She brings her analytical and organizational skills from her science career to help Rising Tide achieve its goals. She enjoys being more involved in the Rising Tide community and introducing others to the Rising Tide experience.
 
Sean O’Neill, Treasure (pictured right) has been a member of the Rising Tide Co-op for four years and recently joined the Board to further support co-op education and sustainable development outreach. Sean is a biologist and educates students and community members about Ocean Science Research. He enjoys using his experience to work and communicate with the cooperative membership
Beth, Sean, and Sara are great examples of member-owners stepping into the role of board members. Member-owner participation is crucial to a healthy Board and cooperative. The Board is always looking for interested member-owners to get involved in cooperative governance.
 
Kevin Posman (pictures left) has been with the Rising TIde Board of Directors for over four years. Through this time he has had the opportunity. to get to know many of the staff and members of Rising Tide, which has allowed Posman to understand the challenges and opportunities of food cooperatives. Posman has been fortunate enough to attend training and meetings, enabling him to better formulate opportunities while working with board members and member-owners and staff to help build a vision for Rising Tide.
 
Shari Sage (pictured right) has also been with the Rising Tide Board for several years.  Before moving to her current residence, she wanted to make sure she had reasonable access to a co-op. After much research, she purchased her home and shortly thereafter, joined Rising TIde and enjoys taking advantage of everything that Rising Tide has to offer; from the farmer’s market, Community Kitchen classes, food, and wine tastings, and of course, access to our knowledgeable staff. Sage is also highly involved with the Damariscotta community and therefore, has a pulse on the needs and fluctuations in our area
 
Dwight Hobbs (pictured left) Information to come shortly. 
 
 
 
 
Beth Polhemus, Vice President
 
 
Sean O’Neill, Treasure
 
Shari Sage
 
The Rising Tide Policy Register contains the most concise definition of the Board’s role: “Acting on behalf of our member-owners, the Board ensures that our co-op produces benefit and value while avoiding unacceptable actions and situations.” The Board does this through the completion of monitoring reports in collaboration with the General Manager. The Board is also responsible for communicating to the membership updates, and plans for the business. Together, the member-owners, the Board, and GM chart the course for Rising Tide and it’s a vital role in an increasingly dynamic business climate.
 
If you’re interested in attending a board meeting via Zoom or have any questions for the board, please contact them at board@risingtide.coop. Our next Board Meeting is October 27th at 5:30 pm. We hope you’ll join us!
 
In Cooperation,
The Rising Tide Board of Directors