2026 Board Candidate
Brianna Prahl
How many hours per month could you realistically commit to board work, including meetings and committee tasks?
3-6 Hours per week
Are there any times of year when your availability might be limited? If yes, please explain.
Potentially around the end of the school year during sport/concert/performance activities.
How familiar are you with cooperative principles and the member-owned model? Please explain.
I am familiar. I have been a member of co-op grocery stores.
Please share an example of supporting local food, sustainability, or community initiatives.
I often shop at farmers markets, have been a member of a CSA, and participated in a city wide composting program. I run a local Buy Nothing Facebook group for Burnett County, started a self sustaining community clothing swap, and currently operate a free clothing store in Cushing.
What do you see as the biggest challenges facing a grocery co-op, and how would you approach them?
Besides the initial startup, balancing product, inventory, and prices with local demographics. I would think about partnering with local food producers, work to understand what is in demand, creatively market what is available, and ask for member/shopper input.
If you joined the board, what would you hope to contribute to the co-op’s long-term vision?
I would hope to make connections with local businesses and community members, bolster the local economy and help create and develop better access to high quality food.
Have you worked with budgets, financial statements, audits, HR, legal, operations, or project management? If yes, please describe.
I have done some work with budgets and financial statements personally and while running a small business in the past and I have experience in restaurant management operations, and I enjoy the creativity of project management.
How do you approach decision-making when there is financial or operational risk?
Pragmatically, I identify what needs doing, evaluate the options, seek advice, and choose the option that makes the most sense in the context.
Do you have any experience in start ups, self-driving fundraising or organizing large fund raising efforts? If yes, please describe.
I have done some fundraising in the past for various causes. I created a self-sustaining community clothing swap in my front yard during Covid lockdown using social media to spread the word. I crowdsourced donations of hangers, supplies, and clothing donations and spent zero dollars during the three month long project.
Please share an example of disagreeing with a group decision and how you handled it.
I approached a disagreement with curiosity to understand the other point of view and the reasoning behind the decision and accepted it.
How do you balance advocating for your perspective with supporting collective decisions?
I would have a conversational dialogue, explain my point of view and offer an example for clarity, and be willing to engage curiously with questions and other points of view.
How would you help attract new members or volunteers?
Talk about it with people I know, share on social media to generate a buzz, help create a pleasant shopping experience, work with board members on projects to attract new people.
Do you have local networks or connections that could support the co-op’s growth?
Potentially on social media (Facebook groups), I am also a newer board member at Frederic Arts.
How do you approach learning new skills or responsibilities outside your expertise?
I love trying new things and learning new skills. I frequently take art classes to learn new skills like pottery, blacksmithing, watercolors, and juggling. I am currently a student pursing a Masters Degree and for my undergrad I traveled abroad to learn Spanish.
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?
Yes, I had to let someone go from a project. I was respectful, straightforward, and concise and it went well.
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 follow whatever procedure was put in place for addressing such a matter. If the situation called for it, I may respond respectfully in real time to the individual and then follow whatever the procedure is for such an event.
Is there anything else you would like us to know about you?
I'm great at creative problem solving and yo hablo Espanol!