Olympia Food Co-op

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Recent Fires at Westside Store

The Westside Co-op has recently suffered two fires near and in the structure that houses our garbage, recycling, and the Free Store.

Many of you heard about the fire on Sunday night that burnt part of the back fence of the recycling structure, as well as part of the overhang that keeps us dry as we go in and out of the back door (see picture below). The fire occurred late at night after the store was closed. We were very lucky that one of the Co-op's neighbors saw the smoke and flames and called 911. To this neighbor we extend our deep gratitude! Police and firefighters arrived promptly and extinguished the fire.

The Westside Co-op then suffered a second fire, in the same general area, almost 24 hours after the first one. The second fire was inside a recycling bin. Luckily, a co-op staff member who was walking his dog nearby saw the flames and was able to pull the burning bin out from under the overhang/structure and call 911. Many thanks to this quick-thinking staff member!

Overall, damage to the Co-op has been minimal and no one has been hurt.

There is an ongoing police investigation into these fires; at this point, police believe the fires were intentionally set. We do not know who lit the fires, whether it was the same person both nights, or why this is happening now. An officer informed a staff member that at least one person has been questioned, but other than this, we have no further information. Rest assured that when we learn more, we will let you know!

In the meantime, we ask that all Co-op members - particularly those that live nearby the stores - keep an extra eye out for anything out of the ordinary. If you see anything suspicious, please tell a staff member immediately and/or call 911.

Co-op members with additional information about either of these fires should also contact the Olympia Police Department.

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Board Candidate: Desdra Dawning

Hot off the press: previews of our 2013 candidates for the Board of Directors! You'll also find the information below in the October-November newsletter, along with your ballot. Voting runs from October 15th - November 15th. In addition to choosing four new Board members, you'll also have an opportunity to vote on four proposed changes to the Co-op's bylaws.

Want to know more about the candidates? Mark your calendar for the Annual Meeting! October 27th, from 1-4 pm at the Olympia Ballroom. Great food, candidate speeches and the first round of member discussion on recent research into whether the Co-op should change our legal status (currently, we are a not-for-profit under RCW 24.03.) We look forward to seeing you there!

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Board Candidate: Desdra Dawning

1. Why do you want to be on the Co-op Board of Directors?

I have been a volunteer member for over two years, working as a Courtesy Clerk, helping with Special Projects (tabling for and attending the Co-op Conversation and No GMO March, reorganizing the Eastside bulletin board, reminder-calling new volunteers), writing and photographing for the newsletter, and serving on the newsletter committee. I now have clearer insights into what the Co-op means to this community, its challenges and potential future. I see cooperative businesses such as the Co-op, and the principles they uphold, as key to future sustainability and conscious stewardship of the earth. Being on the Board is an excellent way for me to serve my Co-op further, working to help it grow, prosper and ensure its longevity.

What general abilities would you bring to the Board? What specific abilities and experiences would you offer to help provide direction in dealing with the Co-op’s challenges?

I have good people skills in communication and problem-solving. I have the ability to see both sides of any issue and skills in helping resolve conflicts. I am a good listener and appreciate the diversity of our membership. I have a Master's in English, with strong writing skills (I write for a local alternative newspaper). I am a retired educator (have taught pre-school through college) and highly value an educated and creative citizenry as key to conscious human evolution. I have the ability to help the Olympia community understand the values upon which the Co-op stands ( community outreach). In the Olympia community, I have worked on fund-raising for SideWalk (homelessness advocacy) and the YMCA, and have created my own business, Loving Hands Pet Care.

What do you see as current strengths of the Co-op that you would like to see maintained? What would you like to see changed?

The Co-op creates the vision and holds the space in our community for compassionate, fair, intelligent participation in life, not only in Olympia, but globally. It offers good, clean, socially-conscious products to our community. It shows us how to live a more conscious life than what the status-quo offers. What could be stronger than that? Sometimes, however, I see financial fear and contraction enter Co-op affairs. I would like to see that healed so we can move forward gracefully and effectively, becoming an even stronger force in our community.

What vision do you have for the Co-op for the next five years?

Since the Co-op Conversation, we--the Membership, the Staff Collective and the Board--have developed a vision and plan for expansion for both markets which will give us newer, cleaner and roomier shopping areas plus expanded warehouse space and parking. Understanding that in working with the consensus process projects often take a little longer to accomplish, I also see a growing commitment from our membership to move forward with plans we have already agreed to. I would like to be part of seeing this happen. Already a vital part of our region, I would like to see the Co-op become even more inclusive, bringing in those from our community who have less voice and, as our brothers and sisters, are even more in need.

Other comments

This Co-op is one of the major reasons I uprooted myself from my home in Arizona and moved to Olympia. It nurtures my spirit in ways that go well beyond the good food on the shelves. I wish to be a participant in making sure that it continues to be a strong and vibrant part of this community for many years to come!

Board Candidate: Casey Kilduff

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Board Candidate: Casey Kilduff

Why do you want to be on the Co-op Board of Directors?

I am interested in joining the co-op board of directors because I enjoy the challenge of collaborating with diverse groups of people while seeking the greater good for the larger community. I recently graduated from the Masters of Public Administration program at Evergreen and have found that I have a lot of free time. I would like to fill my free time with meaningful work. Joining the Olympia Food Co-op’s board of directors would utilize my existing skill set and afford me the opportunity to build new skills. I believe that I have a lot to offer the cooperative and would be proud to be elected.

What general abilities would you bring to the Board? What specific abilities and experiences would you offer to help provide direction in dealing with the Co-op’s challenges?

From 2008 to 2013 I served on the board of directors of a worker-owner cooperative in Olympia, WA. Prior to that, I have served on the boards of various local non-profit organizations. I am skilled in mediation, collaboration, and strategic planning. I attended the Western Worker’s Cooperative Conference in 2011 and acquired cooperative specific skills in meeting facilitation, developing a strategic plan, conflict resolution and anti-oppression. I spoke on a panel at the 2012 Co-op conference held at TESC and have spoken in classes at TESC about the value of the cooperative model. Additionally, I have experience interviewing, hiring, supervising and terminating staff. I strongly believe in the cooperative model and would like to help to ensure the success of the Olympia Food Co-op.

What do you see as current strengths of the Co-op that you would like to see maintained? What would you like to see changed?

I see the co-op as a staple in the Olympia community. Having access to local and ethically produced products is important for the health of our community. Over the years, the co-op has diversified by developing educational opportunities, outreach and collaboration with other cooperatives. I believe that these are strengths of our co-op. I think that improving member engagement is something that all cooperatives can improve on and would like to be involved in activating our membership.

What vision do you have for the Co-op for the next five years?

My vision is that we will utilize the strengths of the members and board to determine what is best for the co-op in the years to come.

Board Candidate: Nancy Koppelman

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Board Candidate: Nancy Koppleman

Why do you want to be on the Co-op Board of Directors?

I’m interested in helping the co-op continue to serve the greater Olympia community, and particularly to face the task of maintaining both its ideals and, as with all businesses, its need to grow: a real challenge.

What general abilities would you bring to the Board? What specific abilities and experiences would you offer to help provide direction in dealing with the Co-op’s challenges?

I’ve been a member of the co-op for 30 years. I’ve been a working member and, in the early 1990s, a member of the Board when it voted to open a store on the east side of town. For the last 17 years, I have been a faculty member at Evergreen, where I’m regularly active in significant governance work. For the last 18 months, I’ve helped to organize over 150 of the college’s faculty to implement an important new academic initiative. I genuinely enjoy working closely with people, and simultaneously I am able to keep “the big picture” in mind. I like to foster committed and thoughtful work with others, and I like to help people maintain a sense of common purpose, especially when conflicts inevitably arise.

What do you see as current strengths of the Co-op that you would like to see maintained? What would you like to see changed?

The co-op’s long-standing commitment to the well-being of the staff is one of its greatest strengths. It should be maintained and, I hope, enhanced. In terms of change, I would like to learn what the membership wants from its co-op, and I’m interested in ensuring that the co-op regularly revisit and thoughtfully consider its mission, and measure its practices against that mission.

What vision do you have for the Co-op for the next five years?

I know that there have been discussions for some time about opening a downtown store. I think this is a laudable vision and I’m interested in how the co-op is pursuing it. I’m also interested in discussing diversifying the co-op’s merchandise to include a wider array of fair-trade items, possibly including alcoholic beverages. Finally, ongoing education about how the co-op puts its philosophy into practice will ensure that its members continue to be informed and involved.

Board Candidate: Micheal Snow

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Board Candidate: Micheal Snow

Why do you want to be on the Co-op Board of Directors?

As a member and dedicated patron I have an interest in knowing more about how our Co-op runs and I wish to contribute my skills and knowledge in whatever ways I can to see it flourish. I have visited? Learned about? food co-ops all over the country, and spoken with representatives from many of them. I believe OFC is an amazing and unique place that is always challenging itself and others to go past the confines of perceived possibilities for food cooperatives. I want to become a more informed member who takes on the responsibility of problem solving any organizational, financial, and social quandaries the Co-op might confront.

What general abilities would you bring to the Board? What specific abilities and experiences would you offer to help provide direction in dealing with the Co-op’s challenges?

For the last five years I have worked in collectively managed businesses. As a member of the Flaming Eggplant, a student-run, cooperatively managed restaurant at the Evergreen State College, I developed experience in finance, conflict resolution process, organizational structure and consensus decision-making. Currently I am a worker-owner of the newly formed New Moon Cooperative and a founding member of the Black Moon Collective. As a student I visited and worked at the CECOSESOLA Cooperative in Venezuela, one of the largest and longest-lived cooperatives in the world. I worked on a committee of Coop board and staff members and community members to facilitate an exchange between CECOSESOLA and the Olympia Food Co-op. We also organized a conference on cooperatives in Olympia where CECOSESOLA members and others shared their experience and knowledge. I would like to continue to pursue the lessons we all learned from that process.

What do you see as current strengths of the Co-op that you would like to see maintained? What would you like to see changed?

From my perspective, the strengths of the Co-op lie in its commitment to the mission statement, and to providing services with those strong values always present. The Co-op is committed to avoiding the ever-so-prevalent green-washing tendency of the natural foods world, and working hard to be an organization that makes real impacts with its decisions and services.

I would like to see is the Co-op form deeper relationships with other cooperatives and socially driven economic enterprises, and support their development.

What vision do you have for the Co-op for the next five years?

I would like to see the Coop participate in the formation of a structured regional movement towards a larger cooperative/social economy.

Board Candidate: Isabella Rogol

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Board Candidate: Isabella Rogol

Why do you want to be on the Co-op Board of Directors?

I was appointed to the Olympia Food Co-op Board of Directors in April of this year to fill a vacancy. I have been already participating in the decision making and shaping of the Co-op and know of the challenges involved as well as the satisfaction to know that I am doing something not just for my own sake but in representation of the members of this Coop. I feel honored by such unique experience. I would appreciate your support to continue this journey.

What general abilities would you bring to the Board? What specific abilities and experiences would you offer to help provide direction in dealing with the Co-op’s challenges?

The ability to sit through very interesting meetings that honestly sometimes can be frustrating and/or boring and try to come to a consensus decision as a group about issues that pertain to us all. I am a professional language translator (English-Spanish) and small-business owner. I lived in a few countries before moving to Olympia, so I consider myself a multicultural and have insight into complicated human relations. I like to work with all kinds of individuals even those that may have a different opinion than mine. I am approachable.

What do you see as current strengths of the Co-op that you would like to see maintained? What would you like to see changed?

The Co-op it is a real community center, most of the time people are very welcoming and food is great! There is no reason to change that. The Co-op is good at keeping us updated through the newsletter and I personally appreciate the Co-op parties. The board has done outreach to the community twice this year in the form of a free lemonade stand. I was part of that and learned a lot from the experience. I believe that we have maxed out the capacity of both Co-ops. Other members that gave their comments also believe that. I would not like the Co-op to expand so much that it becomes a mainstream grocery store but I would like the Co-op to be able to accommodate more people more comfortably. As part of the expansion committee I hope to continue working toward that.

What vision do you have for the Co-op for the next five years?

I would love to see it grow toward greater sustainability by making available more local products
and work on issues of food security. I also envision providing healthy foods to more people in
our community.

Other comments:

Vote!

Board Candidate: Kitty Koppelman

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Board Candidate: Kitty Koppleman

Why do you want to be on the Co-op Board of Directors?

I’ve been a Co-op staff member since 1987. I love the Co-op and what we’ve done over the past several decades. I want to expand and enhance that work in a volunteer capacity by serving on the Board.

What general abilities would you bring to the Board? What specific abilities and experiences would you offer to help provide direction in dealing with the Co-op’s challenges?

As a Co-op staff member, I’ve worked in the areas of merchandising, finance, capital planning, newsletter, hiring, and technology. I’ve served as a bookkeeper, buyer, and project coordinator for many years and I’ve developed dozens of systems and coordinated numerous complex and critical projects that are integral to the Co-op’s operations. I’ve written and presented training documents that have been used to train staff in consensus decision-making and collective management. I was involved extensively in the project to open the Eastside store, and have served on countless committees consisting of staff, board, and the general membership.

I enjoy breaking down seemingly difficult and complicated projects into realistic and attainable tasks in ways that include input and involvement from the broadest spectrum of participants. I have the unique perspective of a long-time staff member, bringing practical considerations that will help the Board to navigate inevitable challenges. I’ve also worked as a volunteer with Stonewall Youth, Olympia Film Society, CIELO, and TULIP.

What do you see as current strengths of the Co-op that you would like to see maintained? What would you like to see changed?

Our Co-op is a trusted source of delicious, impeccable, sustainably-produced real food, favoring locally produced products and supporting global food security and justice. We are an essential community hub and exceptional participatory workplace. I would like us to maintain those qualities, but I believe we can improve our efforts to educate and include a broader segment of the community in all of our activities.

The Co-op’s Low-Income Membership has been hugely successful and makes the Co-op’s offerings accessible to thousands of low income members. TULIP Credit Union is another great resource that helps build access. I worked on visioning and developing both of those programs. I’d like to see the Co-op engage in more projects like these, creating programs that remove barriers to participation in all of our activities. I would also like to see the relationship between the Staff and Board strengthened and improved.

What vision do you have for the Co-op for the next five years?

I think we should continue to pursue expansion to include a downtown location. I’d like to see the Co-op expand our use of technology to help us carry out our activities and meet our mission. I’d like for us to become more engaged in anti-oppression work and education in the broader community. I’d like to see us do more in the realm of educating other workplaces in collective management.