Notice of Annual Meeting & Election

Election

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Candidate Statements (in alphabetical order)

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ERIK HAGSTROM

EDUCATION: University of San Diego | San Diego, California | 2007

Why do you want to serve on the Board of Directors of the Grain Train Natural Food Co-op?

Having an opportunity to serve on the board of directors would provide me with the honor, challenge, and responsibility of understanding how everything needs to work together for our co-op to succeed and continue to grow.  As a member of the co-op I believe that I should understand what it takes to run the organization and help it continue to thrive.

What are you passionate about? How could we see that passion in action in your day-to-day life?

As members of a health food co-op I think that across the board our entire ownership base tends to place a high value on our overall health and wellbeing, and I would say that is a passion I take seriously myself.  My family and I take an active approach to our health by consistently eating a clean diet, while also placing a priority on staying physically active.

Describe an experience where you worked on a team. What did you offer the team? How did you compromise for the team's benefit?

I have always enjoyed working in a team environment, and over the years I have learned to approach team settings with a listen and comprehend approach.  This has become especially useful as I run my business and meet with clients to understand their needs, and offer practical solutions to fit their budgets and timelines.  Specifically, I was recently a part of a web development team creating a product for a new business, but I wasn't in my usual role as the primary developer, I was involved in a support and long term roadmap capacity.  I quickly learned that I could play a valuable role in pushing the project forward by understanding the needs of the primary developer and the client, and translating those into tangible goals each party could easily understand and meet.

Do you have other experiences that you see as being related to the work of the Board?

Yes, I would say that I do.  I am currently serving my township as the Chairman of the Board for the Planning Commission and also am the Chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals.  I have been serving my township in this capacity for over 5 years and the lessons I have learned about guiding our township and our constituents are a valuable resource that I can offer the Grain Train and it's other board members.

 LINDSAY HALL - Incumbent

EDUCATION: Bachelors Degree in Environmental Studies and Sustainability, 3 years board experience on the Grain Train Board of Directors

Why do you want to serve on the Board of Directors of the Grain Train Natural Food Co-op?

I would like to continue the momentum of the last three years of serving on the Board. We've overcome a lot of challenges and I'm excited for the change that is coming for both the board and the Grain Train as a whole, including our valuable customers and members.

What are you passionate about? How could we see that passion in action in your day-to-day life?

I am passionate about the environment, people, and community of northern Michigan as evidenced through my work at the Little Traverse Conservancy and my role as a Director on the Grain Train board of directors.

Describe an experience where you worked on a team. What did you offer the team? How did you compromise for the team's benefit?

I served as a FoodCorps AmeriCorps member through Groundwork Center at Boyne Falls Public School from 2016-2018. With a mission of connecting school children to local farms and food, I worked with a team of community and school staff members to host a Crock Pot Cooking Class for families. With the help of local farms and businesses, we were able to teach 25 families how to prepare a simple meal and gave them the tools they would need to make that same meal at home, including Crock Pots! We worked as a team to pool together time, resources, and funding to empower families to cook fresh and healthy meals together.

Do you have other experiences that you see as being related to the work of the Board?

Having served on the board for a full three-year term, I'm looking forward to applying all that I have learned so far, and to continue working with my fellow board members as a team moving forward.

Is there anything else you'd like to tell us?

Thank you for this opportunity!

GEORGE ROBSON

EDUCATION: Masters Degree in Health and Physical Education from MSU in 1985

Why do you want to serve on the Board of Directors of the Grain Train Natural Food Co-op?

I would like to become more involved in what I see as integral part of our community. I have a career in health and fitness which offers me perspective on what I feel is important to our community and the role that the grain Train can play in it.

What are you passionate about? How could we see that passion in action in your day-to-day life?

Health and Fitness and the role that it plays in the quality of our life and the surroundings.

Describe an experience where you worked on a team. What did you offer the team? How did you compromise for the team's benefit?

I worked on a sales team for years where where you balance your priorities with those of the team to effect greater change. It's all about balance.

Do you have other experiences that you see as being related to the work of the Board?

I was a professional driver for a years and saw how important it is to treat all employees with a professional and respectful demeanor. A respected and valued employee makes a productive one.

Is there anything else you'd like to tell us?

I look forward to the opportunity to participate as a member of the board as it works to make the Grain Train a valuable part of our community and a great place to work.

PAULA WELMERS - Incumbent, Board Secretary

EDUCATION: Doctorate in Educational Leadership

Why do you want to serve on the Board of Directors of the Grain Train Natural Food Co-op?

I've been privileged to serve on the Board for the past decade; initially I was motivated because shopping at the Grain Train is a part of my life and I wanted to make sure it continued as a strong presence in downtown Petoskey. Now, I want to continue placing my energies toward making sure the Grain Train Natural Foods Markets thrive in a constantly changing retail grocery landscape.

What are you passionate about? How could we see that passion in action in your day-to-day life?

I feel strongly about the availability of good, clean food. Around 2008, I viewed the movie, "Food, Inc." and found it deeply disturbing to learn that the foods I grew up with had been slowly changing - totally under my radar - to mass-produced, "engineered," low-price/low-quality foods that came with health, social, and environmental costs. As my shopping and eating habits changed, the "curated" food available at the Grain Train made all the difference. I know many people who have had their own eating habit "reawakening" - be it through health issues or lifestyle change - and have also found invaluable, the products and professional advice from the Grain Train.

Describe an experience where you worked on a team. What did you offer the team? How did you compromise for the team's benefit?

I retired from North Central Michigan College as an academic counselor. I had the privilege of participating on a team of advisors and student personnel professionals. We collaborated regularly on initiatives and programming that would not have had the same impact without the strength of the team. I've been both a facilitator and a team member. I have not experienced compromise as a negative.

Do you have other experiences that you see as being related to the work of the Board?

I am always fascinated by trends in people's lifestyle choices, and try to bring that information to my work on the Board.

Is there anything else you'd like to tell us?

I'm deeply appreciative of the staff of the Grain Train, for their dedication and hard work, especially during these past couple of difficult years.

HAL WILLENS - Incumbent

EDUCATION: MD, Wayne State School of Medicine, 1975

Why do you want to serve on the Board of Directors of the Grain Train Natural Food Co-op?

I have been a long standing, active member of the Grain Train Board of Directors and wish to continue my service in supporting our wonderful community asset.

What are you passionate about? How could we see that passion in action in your day-to-day life?

Our local farmers play an important role in making our area a healthy and desirable place to live. I have supported the Grain Train in its role in offering our community locally produced food and providing micro grants to help our farmers.

Describe an experience where you worked on a team. What did you offer the team? How did you compromise for the team's benefit?

Working with the Local Food Alliance of Northern Michigan and the Harbor Springs-Petoskey Area Community Foundation, I helped form our partnership with Groundworks to bring their Local Food Policy Specialist to our community.

Do you have other experiences that you see as being related to the work of the Board?

I have been active in our community through my Board involvement with the Grain Train, Crooked Tree Arts Center, my synagogue, and the former Burns Clinic.

Is there anything else you'd like to tell us?

The Grain Train has weathered the pandemic and is now involved in some exciting long term strategic planning. I am excited about extending our mission by "Making a Difference, One Bite at a Time."

To see the full bylaws as currently written, click here.

Want to know more about our current Board of Directors?