Candidate Questionnaire

Length of Co-op Ownership

18 Months

Education/Training, Employment/Position

Northern Illinois University, Computer Science and Mathematics 

International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, Web Developer

Why do you want to serve on the Board of Directors for the RPFC?

I was elected to the Board of Directors in the 2017 to a one year term. I am now seeking to be re-elected to the Board. As we want this to be successful,  I believe I can help grow our community.

What is your passion? How could we see that passion in action in your day-to-day life?

Inclusive spaces and efficiency. Everyday in life I advocate for the weal. Everyday in my work I automate business processes to educe repetition.

List some of the organizations, causes, initiatives, and groups of which you have been a part. How do you believe you involvement with these groups have prepared you to serve on the RPFC Board of Directors?

AmeriCorps, Work with Easter Seals Wisconsin Camps to assist individuals with disabilities.

oSTEM, Founding Chapter Member of Out in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, a national society dedicated to educating and fostering of leadership within the LGBTQA communities in the STEM fields.

IFCJ  International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, Web Developer

These organizations gave me leadership skills and knowledge of group dynamics.

Describe an experience in which you worked on a team.

I led a group project in college where I delegated work to complete the task.  I re-delegated some tasks to take advantage of our strengths.

Briefly describe two or three possible ways you could handle the following situation. How you would ultimately act?

You've recently been elected to the RPFC Board. A close friend and local food producer privately asks you to help her business by having the Board publicly denounce the alleged unethical business practices of her closest competitor, whose products are already sold at RPFC. The business owner says she will deeply discount RPFC orders for her product for a year if you help her.

In this situation I guess a person could bring the information to the attention of the board or deny to help their friend.

I would remind my friend that the board will make the decision and recommend that they present the idea themselves with any supporting evidence so we may make an informed decision.

Could you share with us some ideas you may have for owner recruitment to the co-op?

I think to get more owners we need to make our website more engaging and user friendly as well as do more canvassing. The more our name is seen, the more people will think about us and then finally become owners. Also, I believe we need to encourage our current owners to talk about us with their friends. We can provide some materials so that they feel more comfortable talking about the importance of cooperation, but nothing is better than a personal recommendation for someone you trust. 

Is there anything else you'd like to tell us? Do you have any other experiences that you see as being related to the work of the Board?