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Nancy Mathews (Incumbent)
Why are you interested in serving on the board of Bloomington Cooperative Services (BCS)?
I believe in making healthful and flavorful food available to the community at a reasonable price. Bloomingfoods serves that mission thanks to the efforts of a large local group of people. I would like to do my part to ensure that it continues to have a bright future in Bloomington.
What experience or involvement have you had with Bloomingfoods or other cooperatives?
I served on the Board at Bloomingfoods from 2019-2021 and am currently on the board again as a temporary replacement. Before moving to Bloomington, I was active in Wild Oats, the food co-op in Williamstown, MA. What has been your experience working cooperatively with small groups of people?
Throughout my working life at Williams College, I served on many committees and chaired a national professional organization. I also was on the Board of the Berkshire Museum and Willinet, the local community television station. Please share any professional, volunteer, or life experience you have had that will provide insight when serving on the BCS Board of Directors. Include knowledge, skills, formal training, and education that will contribute to the mission of our co-op.
In addition to teaching, I was active in the college's museum. The experience of helping a community-minded non-profit serves many different constituencies has been very helpful in participating in the Bloomingfoods Board. I am more aware of ways to build consensus and honor the efforts of all those involved in moving the organization forward.
How do your values and lifestyle align with the values and mission of the co-op? In my own life, I act as a custodian of the little patch of land I live on so it can benefit the ecological health of this area. For myself, my motto is "Eat Well and Do Good." Given the stated Ends of BCS, what do you see as the primary role of BCS in the community?
Having participated in writing mission statements like Bloomingfoods' Ends Statement, I appreciate how substantive it is. I agree with every part of it, but especially the emphasis on local, fair, and healthful products made available with respect to producers, store employees, Owner-Members, and all citizens of Bloomington.
What are opportunities and challenges you see for BCS in the future expression of these Ends?
Bloomingfoods has righted itself with the help and goodwill of its community. In the immediate future, the co-op will resolve the financial demands of renovating the East Store and its current member loans. In the longer term, Bloomingfoods will do its best to expand its offerings to the community as opportunities arise.
Please share any other brief statement that you feel is important regarding your potential service as a member of our board.
Everyone knows that serving on a Board is hard work. But the mission of Bloomingfoods is so important that I would like to do my best to see it survive and thrive for another fifty years or more!
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