Sevananda Statement Regarding Recent Events

In August of 2021 we at Sevananda Cooperative, Inc. were made aware of allegations against one of

our former staff members. Although the allegations assert that the misconduct occurred away

from the store in the context of the former employee’s private life, we immediately took action,

initiating steps for investigation and seeking additional information directly from the individual

asserting the allegations, but to date we have not received a response to that request. The staff

member involved resigned before that investigation could begin. Since personnel matters are

confidential, no further specific details can be provided.

We want to be clear that our cooperative is committed to providing a positive, peaceful and safe

environment. We have a zero-tolerance policy for any type of harassment — of our staff, our

members or our shoppers— and we have policies and other procedures that protect all of us

from any illegal and unwanted attention or behavior. We provide open channels for

communication and will take immediate and appropriate action when notified of concerns. For

staff, those actions may include training, warnings and/or termination. For members and

shoppers, those actions may include denial of service and/or revocation of membership. Our

management team will be exploring opportunities to improve those policies in the next several

months.

We also want to be clear that we stand with victims and support their right to make their voice

heard and seek justice against their abusers and we are also respectful of an individual’s first

amendment right to peacefully protest.

At the same time, we cannot condone behavior in which demonstrating at the co-op occurs

beyond its designated space, threatens employees’ ability to enter or leave the workplace, or

otherwise interrupts our member-owners shopping experience. We ask that these activities stop

and that impacted individuals work with the proper authorities on this matter toward resolve.

Thank you for your support of our co-op