Board Elections 2017: The Candidates

All the candidates have provided written answers to a series of questions, which can be read by clicking on the names below. The candidates have also recorded video statements, which can be viewed on the online ballot. (Login required.)

Benjamin Bartley

1. What is your current Weavers Way shopping frequency? Describe your involvement in Weavers Way committees, projects and activities.

My partner and I shop at the Mt Airy Coop 1-2 times per week for 90%+ of our groceries. Our household participates in the working member program.

2. Describe your experience with overseeing a business or organization’s budget and financial performance.

I was a three-year board member for a similarly sized coop in New Mexico ($40m+ in annual sales; multiple stores and a central distribution center). I served on the finance committee and was responsible for fiduciary oversight, based on the general manager’s financial reports relative to ~ a dozen key performance indicators.

This term overlapped with the pandemic and hiring of a new general manager, necessitating several financial-related board considerations (e.g., the need to close one of the retail locations; negotiation of a salary for the new general manager).

3. What do you perceive to be the long- and short-term challenges facing Weavers Way and how should we address them?

Short-term challenges include the successful opening of the Germantown location, continued community outreach, and bringing that store into profitability. We address these challenges by following the business plan and empowering the staff to adaptively manage (based on their professional expertise).

Longer term challenges include leveraging the coop’s collective assets to ensure financial stability, ensuring continued relevance to our existing members, and expanding access to the cooperative model to future cooperators.

4. What volunteer or professional experiences have you had that will help you strengthen the Weavers Way Board?

My board service on both a food cooperative and a farmer-focused nonprofit provide relevant experience. My career has also been focused on values-based food systems, including work as a value chain specialist at a food cooperative, food access director at a sustainable agriculture non-profit, on-farm food safety auditor, cooperative extension food systems educator, and verifier of GHG emission reductions within the agriculture sector.

Adam Cohen

1. What is your current Weavers Way shopping frequency? Describe your involvement in Weavers Way committees, projects and activities.

My family shops at Weavers Way on a weekly basis. For six years we have done a significant portion of our shopping at Weavers Way, throughout the three locations. We are working members and enjoy cooperator opportunities in-store and through the partner organizations, like Awbury Arboretum and the farms.

2. Describe your experience with overseeing a business or organization’s budget and financial performance.

 

My experience overseeing the finances of an organization, especially a business, is limited. In my profession I frequently analyze financial documents, tax returns, and profit and loss statements to appropriately advise clients. I am confident I can get up to speed quickly.

3. What do you perceive to be the long- and short-term challenges facing Weavers Way and how should we address them?

Weavers Way faces immediate questions about the viability of the Germantown store and whether new customers will use it. Innovative approaches and outreach by credible messengers will help bring in shoppers who may not otherwise know of Weavers Way. Staying relevant will be another long-term challenge, as eating healthy, local products, and supporting mission-driven organizations are trending up. Weavers Way will need to distinguish itself from lower cost corporate options seeking the same customer base by continuing to offer a strong sense of community engagement and fostering inclusion among its diverse membership.

4. What volunteer or professional experiences have you had that will help you strengthen the Weavers Way Board?

As a young adult I volunteered extensively with a bicycle-related nonprofit known as FreeRide Pittsburgh, eventually joining the board. This opportunity opened my eyes to serving an organization I cared about. Last year I earned a certificate in nonprofit leadership from Young Involved Philadelphia. The program solidified my understanding of board governance, strategic planning, and nonprofit financial management, making me an asset to the Weavers Way Board.

Kristin Haskin-Simms

1. What is your current Weavers Way shopping frequency? Describe your involvement in Weavers Way committees, projects and activities.

I shop at Weavers Way once or twice a week. I am an incumbent who has served on the Board for one year. I have also been a part of the Germantown steering committee, the 50th Anniversary commit- tee and the General Membership Meeting committee.

2. Describe your experience with overseeing a business or organization’s budget and financial performance

I am a principal owner of a small, family-owned business. I manage independent contractors, establish and mainin budgets, and seek areas for growth.

3. What do you perceive to be the long- and short-term challenges facing Weavers Way and how should we address them?

Diversity of our overall membership continues to be an issue. However, with the opening of the Germantown store, we will attract more ethnically and socio-economically diverse households, which reflects the Germantown community. The new store will also provide job opportunities that will employ more individuals who are based in the community.
Weavers Way Germantown will contribute to the economic footprint of a diverse socio-economic community that needs healthier food options. Job training, community engagement and continual dialogue are the ways to fulfill the Co-op’s mission as we evolve and grow.

4. What volunteer or professional experiences have you had that will help you strengthen the Weavers Way Board?

I was a former member of West Mt. Airy Neighbors. I also served on the board of Greenwoods Charter School in Roxborough. My background is primarily in marketing and the arts; these skills have been crucial in fundraising.

Michael Hogan

1. What is your current Weavers Way shopping frequency? Describe your involvement in Weavers Way committees, projects and activities?

90% of our household’s groceries are purchased at Weavers Way in almost daily shopping trips. I currently serve as Board Treasurer and previously served on the Finance Committee. I made member loans for the Chestnut Hill, Ambler, and Germantown stores and am a sustaining member of Food Moxie. I attend fund raising dinners and neighborhood events. As a working member for almost 45 years, I have packed dried fruits, restocked shelves and refrigerators, picked vegetables at the farm, and cleaned up after closing.

2. Describe your experience with overseeing a business or organization’s budget and financial performance.

I was with the Philadelphia Water Department for 34 years before retirement. I prepared, analyzed and monitored the $122 million operating budget, participated in the rate- setting process, prepared long-range plans and forecasts of revenues and expenses, and conducted internal audits.

3. What do you perceive to be the long- and short-term challenges facing Weavers Way and how should we address them?

Weavers Way has the challenge of matching its ends with pricing so that members and shoppers will continue to buy at the coop even though we may not have the lowest price in town. There are several supermarket chains in the region that could draw from our customer base. We must increase sales and membership so that we can pay down debt, increase cash, and be able to maximize opportunities in our future.

4. What volunteer or professional experiences have you had that will help you strengthen the Weavers Way Board?

I was Vice President, Treasurer, Chair of Finance Committee, and Building Committee, of Lutheran Settlement House Board, 9 years. Assistant Treasurer, Board of Reading Terminal Market Corporation, 3 years. Board of the Reading Terminal Market Preservation Fund, 5 years. I served as President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary, for the Eastern Meter Management Association, 13 years.

Kacy Manahan

1. What is your current Weavers Way shopping frequency? Describe your involvement in Weavers Way committees, projects and activities.

I shop at the Chestnut Hill Weavers Way at least once a week, and I am a working member who likes to spend my shifts outdoors doing ecological restoration.

2. Describe your experience with overseeing a business or organization's budget and financial performance.

I don't have experience in this area. However, as an attorney, I often quickly become familiar (through fast-paced and thorough research) with topics that I've never encountered before so that I can make informed judgment calls. This skill will help me play an active role on the board and engage with a variety of issues.

3. What do you perceive to be the long- and short-term challenges facing Weavers Way and how should we address them?

Long-term challenges include remaining competitive in comparison to other area grocery stores. While price is a big factor in people's choice where to shop, I think Weavers Way can provide value to its members in ways that other grocery stores can't. By providing community services and benefits like Food for All, the CSA, and continuing to be responsive to the needs and ideas of its members, Weavers Way will set itself apart. Short-term challenges include the construction and opening of the Weavers Way Germantown store. As with all new endeavors, unexpected problems may arise, both large and small. Patience and creativity on the part of everyone involved will ensure a successful launch.

4. What volunteer or professional experiences have you had that will help you strengthen the Weavers Way Board?

I am an attorney for a nonprofit environmental organization, so I have experience in the nonprofit world and mission-driven organizations. I am also keenly aware of many cutting-edge environmental issues that Weavers Way members care about and want to see addressed.

Tasha Waldrop

1. What is your current Weavers Way shopping frequency? Describe your involvement in Weavers Way committees, projects and activities.

My partner and I shop at Weavers Way weekly, sometimes daily as I am currently the Weavers Way IT Operations Specialist and love being able to shop when I am on site. I am also very involved with the Weavers Way Food Justice Committee.

2. Describe your experience with overseeing a business or organization’s budget and financial performance.

I have run my own IT Support & Web design business as well as co-created a global holistic business. I am able to see the whole picture when it comes to business direction.

3. What do you perceive to be the long- and short-term challenges facing Weavers Way and how should we address them?

I believe the short-term goal for Weavers Way should be to create an environment that fosters staff growth, currently we have a very high turn over rate which means that our shoppers lose the feeling of community when they don’t have familiar faces to turn to.

I also believe in the long-term Weavers Way needs to reorganize and focus on creating more of an online presence to engage current members but also reach out to prospective members in and around the community. The way to growth is to spread the word about Weavers Way to the greater Philadelphia area and beyond.

4. What volunteer or professional experiences have you had that will help you strengthen the Weavers Way Board?

I have the experience of being both Weavers Way Staff as well as a passionate member of the Food Justice Committee. I will bring my knowledge of business growth from my IT experience and dedication to end food insecurity to the board. I will bring a fresh perspective so that a new wave of communication can begin.