Coop Board Members

Co-op Member Since: 1998

Board Member Since: 2007

Favorite Co-op Item: Country Meadows Goat Cheese

Fun Food Story: I never had a vegetable garden when I was growing up, but my wife Laura did. When we bought our house, it came with a garden. So we decided to plant a garden, and each year after we start planting, I have to go out every night and monitor the progress.

What brought you to the Co-op Board?: I wanted to serve a great organization.

What can you contribute to the Co-op Board?: I can contribute an accounting and financial background. Also, I had been preparing the review financial statements and tax returns for the last 3 years, therefore I can help with this progress.

Co-op member since: 2006

Board member since: 2008

What brought you to the Co-op Board? : I’m a relatively new Potsdam person.  My family and I moved to the area in 2006, and we immediately decided to make this our permanent home.  We were naturally drawn to the Co-op for its commitment to local suppliers, its inventory of excellent products at great prices and its mission to better the environment and community through co-operative means.

What will you contribute to the Board and the Co-op? : I will strive to keep the Co-op strong in business, by working to increase its profitability, and strong in spirit, by working to keep the Co-op true to its core principles.  My specific goals are to build upon the channels of communication between the workers, the board members and the general membership.  I will also work toward the further development and implementation of personnel policies and training opportunities for both the volunteers and the employees of the Co-op.
 

Co-op Member Since: 1987

Board Member Since: 2006

Fun Food Story: My food story involves gourmet back country meals, a great hike up Mt. Redfield, and ursus americanus (the American Black Bear). We were greeted at the Flowed Land lean-to by a huge female black bear lumbering casually across the campsite. The young men camped in the neighboring lean-to told us we should secure our food sack well. They were planning to hang their cookware and surprise the marauding bear.

We awoke that night to the clatter of pans and a call that our food sack was already “down.” John and daughter Margaret went to the tree and found that all we had left was our cocoa and oatmeal packets.

In the morning, the young men were hiking out so they gave us their remaining trail gorp for our hike up Redfield. The gorp much better than what we brought and lost.

When we returned wearily to the lean-to after scaling Mt. Redfield, we sent our girls over to warn the new arrivals at the neighboring lean-to about the bears while John and I heated water to cook our breakfast oatmeal for dinner. The girls returned with a huge pot of goulash with fresh veggies, hamburger, sausage, and tuna. It was the perfect gourmet ready-to-eat dinner for weary hikers.

We had a great hike, enjoyed wonderful gourmet meals with no effort thanks to the kindness of strangers, and saw our first Adirondack black bear up close and personal.

What brought you to the Co-op Board? In 2006, I worked on the Compensation Committee. Our work was interesting and rewarding. The outcome was well received. Now the new workers at the Co-op can be assured a living wage. In 2007, I wanted to be on the committee that explores what comes after the “reset.” I am interested in how the new POS system can help the Co-op gain efficiency, and I wonder how the Co-op can promote healthy eating and sustainable agriculture in the local community. School lunches are ripe for attack and new choices.

Coop Member since: 2006

Board Member since: 2009

Favorite Co-op Item: Carriage House Bakery scones!

What brought you to the Co-op Board?: I'm a member for the same reasons
that most people join the organization: I highly value what the Coop
brings to all of us. Nowhere else can we find the mix of local,
regional, international products offered there. That is why it is so
important that the Coop maintains and strengthens its position in the
challenging economic environments.  I also believe what many people say
about the Coop: it serves a function beyond that of mere merchant. It
provides a wonderful and much-needed intersection of north country
community life.

What can you contribute to the Co-op and the Board?: I have experience
as a Board member for two other north country organizations. I served
for two years on the St. Lawrence County Planning Board which provided
me insight into key elements of business development in the region.
Following that, I served for two years on the Board of Trustees for the
Potsdam Public Library, another important cross-roads for the local
community. From those experiences I have learned some things about the
key roles and responsibilities that Board members need to play in the
progress of an organization.

Coop Member Since: 1992

Board Member Since: 2009

Favorite Co-op Item: Organic valencia oranges

What brought you to the Co-op Board?:  Desire to ensure that the Co-op continue to be able to meet its members needs.

What can you contribute to the Co-op and the Board?:  I expect that my contribution as a Board member will be to straighten out the Co-op's finances. I was the Co-op's Treasurer 1992–1996 when I inherited a different financial mess. Since then I have helped to set up the accounting system, and I worked on Co-op bookkeeping thru the end of 2003. I have a good understanding of the workings of the Co-op.

Coop Member since: 1991

Board Member since: 2009

What brought you to the Co-op Board?:  A sense of responsibility to the membership and the community that stems naturally from a deep appreciation of what the Co-op has been and what it can and should become.  Food co-ops arose historically in response to a collective need for good food at reasonable prices.  That need still exists within our community and as our economy makes the necessary transition to local and sustainable, that need will grow.   Since we own the store collectively, it can be directly responsive to our needs, to the needs of our community, and to the growing network of local suppliers.  This requires dedicated leadership.

What can you contribute to the Co-op and the Board?:  I have been active in the Co-op since I joined, and 10 years ago served on the board for a tumultuous six years. Since then, I have devoted my time and energy to the gardens, believing that the Co-op was being well managed and well directed.  Events of the past year startled me from an uninformed complacency.  I would prefer, quite frankly, to tend the flowers, but believe that my viewpoint, experience and dedication will be a useful addition to the decision making process.

Co-op Member Since: 1990

Board Member Since: 2009

What brought you to the Co-op Board?:  My family has been a member of the Coop for 19 years. It was always a place were you could get healthy food.  and with addition of the Bakery, delicious bread.  The choice was made to take a chance that people would buy a quality product.  An example of a need recognized, and people who made it happen.  The Bakery is a success.  I believe in the Coop as a reliable year round supporter of local agriculture. 

What can you contribute to the Co-op Board?:  I'm interested in the continued support of our regions growers as a replacement to anything shipped in. I will be focused on building these relationships.