2026 Board Candidate
Nichole Bastyr
How many hours per month could you realistically commit to board work, including meetings and committee tasks?
I could realistically commit about 5-9 hours per month to board work, including meetings and any committee tasks.
Are there any times of year when your availability might be limited? If yes, please explain.
My availability is generally consistent throughout the year and I plan to attend meetings and stay involved.
How familiar are you with cooperative principles and the member-owned model? Please explain.
I became more familiar with the cooperative model after joining the Frederic Grocery Co-op steering committee and doing more research on how co-ops operate. I also shop often at Luck Natural Foods Co-op and have seen how a small cooperative grocery store can serve a rural community.
Please share an example of supporting local food, sustainability, or community initiatives.
I run an in-home daycare and homeschool my children, so food and nutrition are something I think about every day. I cook for my family, the children in my care, and church gatherings, which has made me appreciate fresh, real food and knowing where it comes from. Whenever possible, I like to support local producers and small businesses. I would love to see more local products available in our community and potentially in the co-op as it develops.
What do you see as the biggest challenges facing a grocery co-op, and how would you approach them?
I think one of the biggest challenges will be building enough community support and membership to make the store financially sustainable. Frederic and the surrounding communities are small and many families are careful with their grocery budgets, so it will be important for the co-op to balance quality, local products, and affordability.
I would approach this by focusing on transparency, careful financial planning, and making sure the co-op reflects what the community actually wants and needs. Continued community engagement and membership growth will also be important as the project moves forward.
If you joined the board, what would you hope to contribute to the co-op’s long-term vision?
I would hope to contribute practical financial oversight, thoughtful decision making, and a long-term perspective. I believe a grocery store plays an important role in the health and future of a small town.
During the five years my family traveled throughout North America in an RV, we spent time in many rural communities where grocery access was limited. That experience showed me how important reliable food access is for a community’s stability and growth.
I would like to help build a store that serves Frederic and the surrounding area well for many years.
Have you worked with budgets, financial statements, audits, HR, legal, operations, or project management? If yes, please describe.
Much of my work experience has involved handling finances, accounting records, and day-to-day business operations.
I have served as volunteer church treasurer for 17 years, where I help oversee the church’s financial records, budgeting, and tax reporting. I also serve as secretary for my local Homemakers HCE group.
Professionally, my first accounting position was in accounts receivable and collections for a motor sports aftermarket manufacturer, where I worked for over seven years. In that role I managed customer accounts, extended credit to businesses, handled collections and legal action when necessary, and assisted with company audits. During my time there I also helped improve the company’s credit and collections process, which significantly reduced bad debt to nearly zero.
I later worked in accounting and office management at a car dealership with multiple locations, where I entered and balanced accounting records, helped prepare financial statements, and assisted with auditing vehicle inventory and reconciling records with the bank.
I also run an in-home daycare, which involves budgeting, planning, organization, and communication with families.
How do you approach decision-making when there is financial or operational risk?
When decisions involve financial or operational risk, I believe in slowing down, gathering the available information, and looking carefully at the long-term impact. My accounting background has taught me the importance of understanding the numbers, but also considering how decisions affect the people and the organization as a whole. I try to approach decisions thoughtfully and responsibly rather than rushing into something without enough information.
Do you have any experience in start ups, self-driving fundraising or organizing large fund raising efforts? If yes, please describe.
I am currently part of the Frederic Grocery Co-op steering committee and have been involved in helping move the project forward as it works through its early stages.
I was also involved for many years with the Frederic Community Halloween Party that my mother started nearly 30 years ago. The event ran for 25 years and brought families from Frederic and surrounding communities together each fall. I saw firsthand the effort it took each year to organize the event and gather donations from the community to make the party possible for the children.
More recently, I also worked with a few people from my church and another local church to help start a children’s youth group.
Please share an example of disagreeing with a group decision and how you handled it.
Over the years of serving in leadership roles that involved overseeing finances, there have been times when I did not fully agree with certain spending decisions. In those situations I shared my perspective and explained the financial concerns so the group could consider them. At the same time, I understand that group decisions involve different viewpoints. Once discussion takes place and a decision is made, I respect the outcome and support the group moving forward together.
How do you balance advocating for your perspective with supporting collective decisions?
I believe it is important to speak honestly and share my perspective when it could help the group make a better decision. At the same time, I respect that boards operate as a team. Once discussion has taken place and a decision is made, I believe in supporting that decision and working together to make it successful.
How would you help attract new members or volunteers?
I think the best way to attract new members is through clear communication about what the co-op is trying to accomplish and why it matters for the community. Talking with neighbors and community members in person is very important in a small town like ours, and I think we can continue to spread the word that way. I also think social media could be used more to share updates and keep people informed as the project moves forward, and that is something I would enjoy helping with.
Do you have local networks or connections that could support the co-op’s growth?
Having lived in Frederic for much of my life, I interact with many local families and community members. I also stay involved through my Church, HCE, and other local activities. While I would not describe myself as someone who seeks public attention, I value community relationships and believe those connections can help spread awareness and encourage participation in the co-op.
How do you approach learning new skills or responsibilities outside your expertise?
When I take on something new, I start by researching and learning as much as I can, and I am comfortable asking questions when needed. I believe being willing to learn and listen is important, especially in projects like this where many people bring different experiences and knowledge.
Are you comfortable asking for guidance when needed?
Yes.
Have you faced an ethical dilemma in a volunteer or professional role?
If so, how did you resolve it?
I have had situations where an expense or reimbursement request did not have the needed documentation, or it wasn’t clear what it was for. I handled it by asking for clarification or receipts, making sure it matched the budget, and following the same process for everyone. If it wasn’t appropriate to pay from organizational funds, I explained why and recommended the correct next steps.
What would you do if you suspected a board member or staff member was not acting in the co-op’s best interest?
I would start by asking questions and making sure I understood the situation correctly. If something still didn’t seem right, I would bring it to the board so it could be discussed openly. The goal would be to handle it fairly and make sure the co-op is being run in the best interest of the members.
Is there anything else you would like us to know about you?
Frederic has always been home to me. I lived here growing up and returned after college and time living elsewhere in Wisconsin.
My husband and I spent five years traveling throughout North America in an RV with our three daughters, but Frederic always remained our home base and we returned regularly.
During those years we traveled through many rural communities and saw how much the presence—or absence—of a local grocery store can affect a town. There were times we stocked our small RV fridge before heading into areas where grocery options were very limited. Experiences like that made it clear to me how important reliable food access is for a community.
More recently we purchased a home next door to my parents and have permanently settled back in Frederic again. I care deeply about the future of our community and the role a grocery store plays in a small town. I would like to help guide the Frederic Grocery Co-op as it continues to take shape.