Dennis Winkler – Nominee for President

What experience do you have with Baker Food Co-op?
I have been a member of the Co-op since 2002 when I moved to Baker City. As a working member I have experience packaging and stocking. I helped move the Co-op from the old 10th Street location to its new location and I have helped with inventory.
Please give specific contributions you can make to the Co-op by serving on the Board.
I am a retired Forest Service employee with over 15 years of supervision, budget, and management experience. I have been a member of numerous work groups and committees in a wide variety of settings and specialties as both a team member and team leader. I am an affective team player with strong management and leadership skills. I feel that these attributes and my professional experience will help to make me a valuable Board member. Additionally, I currently volunteer with the Baker City School back pack program and teach Fire Ecology at the annual Sixth Grade Outdoor School.
I look forward to the opportunity of helping the Baker City Food Co-op move for- ward in the future while continuing to be a vibrant and healthy downtown business as well as a valuable resource to the community.

Vicki Wares – Nominee for Director at Large # 1

What experience do you have with Baker Food Co-op?
30-year member: I have seen the Co-op grow from a buying club in a store room on Court Street, next was comfortable homey store on Tenth Street, and now to this professional, yet friendly, health food market on Broadway.

Please give specific contributions you can make to the Co-op by serving on the Board.
I have been a regular customer at the co-op, though not always a working member due to time constraints.
My husband, Paul, and I have assisted with annual inventory for 4 years. During the last year, I have been earning my working member discount by packaging with my buddy, Betty Crane, and by posting the monthly sale gallery on the Co-op website.
Years ago I served a short tenure on Ramon Lara’s Bylaws Committee and then on Nancy Johnson’s Finance Committee with JoAnn Butler.

I would like to bring my past experience managing a small non-profit organization, the Powder Basin Watershed Council. In that capacity I coordinated volunteers, ensured that administrative details were executed in a timely fashion and worked on developing projects and grant proposals.

I embrace the opportunity to learn more about cooperatives, what makes them strong and keeps them moving in the “right” direction. I would consider it a privilege to be a part of the exciting opportunities ahead — improving Co-op infrastructure and expanding services we render to the people of Baker County!

Barbara Haynes – Nominee for Director at Large # 2

What experience do you have with Baker Food Co-op?

My first experience was in La Grande in the mid 70’s with the Mt. Emily Co-op. I enjoyed doing many of the jobs like cashiering, packaging, and stocking shelves. Here in Baker, I have been mostly a shopper until I retired. Now I enjoy being a cashier, and helping check in freight. That’s an enjoyable way to meet and visit with shop- pers, and to get to know better what the Co-op sells.

Please give specific contributions you can make to the Co-op by serving on the Board.

I think that my strengths as a board member would be in listening, clarifying diverse points of view, and helping to achieve consensus or resolution as needed. I believe in the mission of making healthy food accessible to all people and will enjoy being a part of that process as a Co-op Board Member.

Specific contributions I can make to the Co-op by serving on the Board: I believe in the Mission of the Co-op. Providing access to healthy, alternatively-sourced food, is a great service to our rural community…. and supporting locally grown food is a tangible benefit to both sides of the counter.

I hope to be in a position to listen to the membership (YOU), evaluating all ideas and concerns about what is working or not working in our organization. I will strive to work with others, as a team, to accomplish member-desired goals, furthering the sense of community and organizational unity that has been achieved so far.

Mary Jones Nominee for Director at Large #4

What experience do you have with Baker Food Co-op?
For more than 15 years I have been a member of the Baker Food Co-op. During that time, I have had the experience of cashiering, supplement stocking, COPOS data entry, inventory and moving to our new location. Each of these jobs has introduced me to new Co-Op staff and working members. I have truly enjoyed all of these experiences, and have appreciated learning about both the merchandise and the workings of the Co-op.

Please give specific contributions you can make to the Co-op by serving on the Board.

Being a Board member would be a new experience for me. I can offer my interest and energy, and, perhaps, a new perspective on current issues.