2024 Board Elections: Candidate Statements
There are two positions open on the Board of Trustees. Two incumbent Board members are running for the two open board seats. The information about all candidates and a ballot are included in this issue and are also available online. Candidates were asked to express why they'd like to serve our Co-op on the Board of Trustees, and which skills and experience they'd bring to the position should they be elected.
You may vote using the paper ballot or online at skagitfoodcoop.com/vote2023
Casey Schoenberger
Casey Schoenberger
Incumbent Candidate
Board Experience
Skagit Valley Food Co-op – 7+ years
WA Sustainable Food & Farming Network – 2007-09
Chair of WSFFN Sustainable Farming Practices Committee
Skills/Knowledge
Financial
Co-op
Farming and Food Distribution
General Management
Existing Community Relationships
I work in the organic farming industry and attend and participate in many of the conferences and events surrounding organic farming.
Candidate Statement
Hi. My name is Casey Schoenberger. I’ve served 2 ½ terms on the Skagit Valley Food Co-op Board of Trustees, and I’d like to ask for your vote to serve one more term. I’m proud of the work we’ve done on our board over the last 7+ years. We helped successfully navigate the hiring of a new General Manager after 41 years of continuity in that position, as well as a pandemic, which was especially difficult for service industry workers. As I sit here today, I feel like our Co-op is as strong as ever. We are regularly regarded as one of the most well-run and stable food co-ops in the country. The store is bustling and filled with good energy, and our members overwhelmingly report satisfaction with their shopping experience.
For the past 3+ years, I’ve served as chair of the Member and Community Engagement Committee. We’ve hosted several Community Conversations ranging from various topics in the larger community to informational sessions about what’s going on in the store and color around decisions made by the General Manager or the Board. These outreach events are something I look forward to continuing to help improve and evolve if I’m elected for another term.
Transparency is very important to me in my role on this board. I don’t take lightly the responsibility that comes with being elected to represent the membership. And I think it’s crucial that members are aware of what decisions are being made and why we are making them. It’s an important piece as to what separates us from a normal grocery store. I’m proud of the lengths our operations team goes to in keeping the membership informed of what is going on at THEIR co-op.
Britta Eschete
Britta Eschete
Incumbent Candidate
Board Experience
I am nearing the completion of my first term on the Board. Currently, I also serve on the Skagit River Poetry Foundation. Previously, I have served on various non-profit boards. I also remain active as a union representative in an elected leadership role for classified staff at Western Washington University.
Skills/Knowledge
Event Planning
Volunteering
Community Engagement
Existing Community Relationships
Farming – 20+ years of participation in a CSA workshare
Co-op – lifetime member of the Community Food Co-op in Bellingham
Non-profit – primarily arts/cultural organizations
Candidate Statement
Hello, my name is Britta Eschete, and I would like to ask for your consideration in serving an additional term on the board of the Skagit Valley Food Co-op.
As I near the completion of my first term, I looked up the goals and attributes that I provided in my candidate statement in April 2020 which was written prior to predictions of how serving on the Board might differ during a pandemic. Almost everything we knew took a pivot – everything from safety considerations and expectations for shoppers and employees, supply chain challenges, the introduction of curbside delivery, innovative (now routine!) options to conduct meetings and converse virtually, and more. At a time when many businesses struggled to retain and recognize employees, our Co-op was able to provide financial and well-being incentives. Fast forward to today: much of what was implemented in the early days of COVID continues and we've all increased in our understanding and appreciation of how necessary “Community" is.
During the past three years, I've had the opportunity to expand my knowledge of some of the behind-the-scenes intricacies of maintaining and growing a co-op and especially appreciate the opportunities to participate in member conversations, guest speakers who shared their knowledge during member¬ engagement conversations, to reviewing applicants for 4% Friday, to establishing the Growing Good Fund. As someone who enjoys volunteering with and working on event logistics, it's exciting to anticipate a 50-year Anniversary for the Co-op, and increased collaboration with Viva Farms. As more events return to in-person, that's an aspect of community that's been greatly missed over the past few years.