2024 ANNUAL ELECTION
Voting is open from Friday, October 18 until Friday, November 1! The Dill Pickle's 3,500+ owners can now vote for the 2024 Board of Director candidates. Review candidate profiles and click the VOTE button below!
The Board of Directors has 3 vacancies; there are 5 candidates running for the Board. Each owner may vote for up to 3 candidates.
WHAT DOES THE BOARD DO?
Ultimately, the Dill Pickle’s Board of Directors is responsible for ensuring the Dill Pickle Food Co-op fulfills its mission while thoroughly upholding fiduciary responsibilities. It also engages with owners to represent their needs, oversees the General Manager through Policy Governance, supervises the financial status of the co-op, and sets the direction and vision for the co-op’s long-term goals. Learn more here.
Why did you join the Dill Pickle?
I was an owner of the Dill Pickle before it even opened. I have a long and deep interest in the power of local business ownership to create prosperity in communities and there is nothing more local than a coop since it is owned by the community.
How have you participated as an owner?
I currently serve on the Board of Directors as the Treasurer. I have been involved with the Dill Pickle for the entire 15 years of our existence as a shopper, volunteer and board member (3 terms). I shop at the coop on a regular basis and consider it my primary source for food.
Why do you wish to serve on the Dill Pickle Food Co-op Board of Directors?
I am passionate about the Dill Pickle and what it stands for in the Logan Square community (and all of Chicago). The last few years have been very challenging for the coop both operationally and financially. We have made great progress in “righting the ship”. I would like to continue to provide oversight of our financial processes and work with our lenders and accountants to ensure that we are building a financial base that will keep us thriving in the future.
What perspectives, skills, experiences, or affiliations do you hope to bring to board leadership?
While I am not an accountant, I have chaired the Finance Committee and have overseen our annual financial review and tax filings for the last two years. My business consulting background brings operational and financial skills that are useful for a Board.
How might the co-op open its doors wider to prospective new owners and community members?
The best thing we can do for both current and prospective owners is to continue to be fierce in our pursuit of financial stability. As we achieve that, we should have funding to have a dedicated (bilingual) staff member to reach out to community members that are currently underrepresented in our shoppers.
Anything else you’d like to share?
I am so grateful to our managers and staff who have worked so tirelessly over the years, but especially in the last few years to turn around our beloved Dill Pickle. It was not a sure thing, and they made all the difference.
Why did you join the Dill Pickle?
To be a larger part of and support the grocery store I depend on for high quality, organic and locally produced groceries.
How have you participated as an owner?
I have served on the board for 3 years, most recently as Secretary.
Why do you wish to serve on the Dill Pickle Food Co-op Board of Directors?
I want to continue shaping and helping the Dill Pickle to remain an integral part of the Logan Square community for years to come.
What perspectives, skills, experiences, or affiliations do you hope to bring to board leadership?
Board experience, insights as a dedicated customer for years, highly involved in the Logan Square community as a neighbor and parent.
How might the co-op open its doors wider to prospective new owners and community members?
Education and outreach in Logan Square and neighboring areas, as well as more community events.
Why did you join the Dill Pickle?
The Dill Pickle was unlike any grocery store I'd ever visited. I love the economic model that it aligns to, the built-in focus on community and sustainability, and the warmth of the staff. I first shopped here as a grad student and joined on a payment plan. I wanted to demonstrate support both through my shopping and through becoming a member. As soon as I got my first professional job, I became fully-vested as an owner. I still have my owner card from 2012!
How have you participated as an owner?
I'm currently President of the Dill Pickle Board (my second year in that role, after one year as VP).I work closely with our GM on all strategic initiatives. I helped coordinate our turn around plan in 2023. I'm the primary connection with our institutional lenders and I lead much of the communications that goes out to owners/the community. I've been excited to lead our current board as we have navigated our way out of financial crisis. I'm also an owner-lender to the co-op, starting with the capital campaign for the store expansion in 2016.
Why do you wish to serve on the Dill Pickle Food Co-op Board of Directors?
I believe in the co-op's mission and what it represents as an economic and sustainability pillar in the community. I also love the store and can't envision shopping anywhere else. I want the Dill Pickle to continue its financial turnaround so that we can make needed investments in the store, better support the local food economy, and do right by all our vendors and owner -lenders.
What perspectives, skills, experiences, or affiliations do you hope to bring to board leadership?
I've developed a deep understanding of the grocery world in my very hands-on three years on the Board. I'm a strategic thinker, strong facilitator, and experienced writer/ communicator. Perhaps most importantly though, I'm reliable and willing to give significant time and effort to fill in anywhere the co-op needs me. I also love to lean into data - financial and otherwise - to make decisions.
How might the co-op open its doors wider to prospective new owners and community members?
Community outreach and membership have been relatively low items on the priority list as we've navigated our way out of financial crisis. I believe we are currently in a strong enough financial place to come back to this in a serious manner. I'd like to see the Board continue to identify creative, low-cost ways we can get our story out to the community and build awareness of our co-op and how unique we are. Separately, many folks are unaware that we have a needs-based ownership program for only a one-time $10 payment. We can communicate that better.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Thank you for your consideration. I hope to have the opportunity to continue to serve the co-op's owners on the Board.
Why did you join the Dill Pickle?
We joined the Dill Pickle because we love the idea of a community co-op with fresh local-sourced items to our community.
How have you participated as an owner?
I have participated as an owner by attending events. We also share our experiences as well as opportunities with the Dill Pickle with our friends and community.
Why do you wish to serve on the Dill Pickle Food Co-op Board of Directors?
I feel my experience and skills could be a benefit to the co-op
What perspectives, skills, experiences, or affiliations do you hope to bring to board leadership?
I have a coach management style, problem solving and project management skills and facility and retail experience.
How might the co-op open its doors wider to prospective new owners and community members?
Affordability would be the #1 item that could bring in more owners and members, as well as classes and community events
Why did you join the Dill Pickle?
I became a more frequent shopper at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, and found the Dill was really becoming part of my neighborhood experience. I felt welcomed every time I shopped there and recognized more and more what a vital part of the community the Dill is.
How have you participated as an owner?
Mostly through shopping at least weekly, if not more often. I enjoy learning about the new products coming into the store and interacting with the staff. I try to review all the e-mails and messaging from the Dill to ensure I'm up to date as to what's going on.
Why do you wish to serve on the Dill Pickle Food Co-op Board of Directors?
I would like to make a bigger impact in my role as an owner and become more involved in assisting the Dill Pickle to continue to be successful. I believe my work experience in public libraries provides valuable background in customer service, working with diverse populations, and collaborating with other community organizations and partners.
What perspectives, skills, experiences, or affiliations do you hope to bring to board leadership?
I have extensive experience in customer service, developing rapport with individual community members and stakeholders, and promoting an entity's services and products. I believe these skills would translate well to the Dill Pickle Board.
How might the co-op open its doors wider to prospective new owners and community members?
One of the most important ways the co-op can open its doors wider, I believe, is to make it as easy as possible to become a member. Be very clear and open about the benefits of becoming a member and ensure there is as low as possible a threshold to doing so.