Organizational Structure
The Root Center is organized as a non-profit, 501(c)(3) pending corporation. We are initially located in Chittenden County, the largest population center in Vermont.
The personnel structure is organized as a board of directors that manage project coordinators, who in turn manage volunteer coordinators, who in turn manage a volunteer base. Focus is on democratic management with quarterly in-house gatherings where progress and achievements are celebrated and votes on key issues to the organization occur. Votes will be decided on a majority basis and will be carried out by the board of directors. If a matter is particularly pressing then votes can be organized more frequently. Less key issues of employee concern will be addressed at the discretion of the manager with the understanding that the managed are the roots of the organization and will ultimately drive the direction of the organization as they are the majority when acting together.
The organization will further be organized into a Marketing and Fundraising department, an Agriculture department and an Architecture and Energy department (and others TBD). The Marketing and Fundraising department will be responsible for raising funds and networking with peer organizations (in other words all things external to the organization). The Agriculture department will be responsible for crop production and distribution as well as sales of any specialty foods. The Architecture and Energy department will be responsible for maintaining the buildings and inventory of the organization as well as demonstrating clean energy and green building to the public.
The Root Center is in its beginning stages as an organization and is currently turning lawns into gardens in to grow produce for the food banks in Chittenden County. Further plans are to expand to a larger physical location operated solely by The Root Center and to encourage growth of additional locations across the country and throughout the world.