Unbelievable 10 minutes REI-Co-op 2026 "Annual Meeting"

 

Copied from Reddit  See for yourself on imgur (if it works for you)

A good intro

To set expectations: in my experience in recent years these meetings have consisted of pre-recorded videos played via stream, discussing how the business is doing, given a few blurbs about board members, then viewers are provided scripted/screened Q&As. If history is any indication, members should expect to participate only as viewers with no opportunity to engage with those hosting the meeting.

The whole canned thing is insufferable. I'd rather have Mary Beth just be there live, flub something up, not be able to answer a question, and be a genuine person, than listen to another packaged speech and video which just reeks of corporate control. REI badly needs to be run by human beings.

I remember when Jerry used to answer questions. Even came onto Reddit. Not the best CEO, but not the worst either. His humanity and imperfections at least kept it real.

Every CEO in America has adopted what I call the Apple Keynote speech cadence and it's the most soul sucking thing to listen to.

Yes and no. Public company CEOs and exec have to do live investor calls and take live questions. A member owned coop should operate with at least that level of accountability to members. They want to be coop in the streets, corporate in the sheets. Corporate ruthlessness without corporate accountability. Worst of both worlds.

Welp, it wasn't canned. It was live, and lasted 9 minutes.

The whole thing was absolutely INSANE.

I've attended a good number of these annual online meetings and have never experienced one like that.

I didn't cap a vid but click here and stare at it for 7, maybe 8 minutes.

Not in any way a literal transcript but probably captures the gist well enough: 'So.. as a result of the recent board election we installed three new board members.. and there will be a forthcoming member survey where we look forward to collecting your feedback. Bye!'

And what about the election for the board of directors? REI claims their selected slot was elected. I don't believe it. Why should we trust them when they keep refusing to provide any numbers?

How many members were eligible to vote, how many did vote, how many votes did each candidate receive, how many withhold votes?

Here is their propaganda verbatim:

"Member participation underscores the co‑op’s commitment to transparent, community-led governance.

Feb 3, 2026

SEATTLE – Today, REI Co-op held its Annual Member Meeting to announce the results of its 2026 Board of Directors election.

At the meeting, Board Chair Chris Carr announced that co‑op members elected Rose Marcario and Charles “Chuck” Sams to the board, and re‑elected Ted Philip to serve another three‑year term. These directors bring deep experience, shared values, and a continued commitment to the long‑term health of the co‑op.

“Voting is one of the most important ways members can participate in the governance of the co-op,” said Board Chair Chris Carr in his remarks to members. "I want to thank each and every one of you who took the time to vote. Your votes will help guide the co-op as we work to fulfill our purpose—inspiring and equipping everyone to get outside.”