2026 Board Candidate
Bruce Chell
How many hours per month could you realistically commit to board work, including meetings and committee tasks?
10
Are there any times of year when your availability might be limited? If yes, please explain.
During planting & harvesting crops.
How familiar are you with cooperative principles and the member-owned model? Please explain.
Have been a member of Burnett Dairy for years.
Please share an example of supporting local food, sustainability, or community initiatives.
Farm to table.
What do you see as the biggest challenges facing a grocery co-op, and how would you approach them?
Buying good quality products at affordable prices and working with local suppliers to bring in supplies.
If you joined the board, what would you hope to contribute to the co-op’s long-term vision?
Having owned a business for 35 years I hope my experience could help contribute to a successful co-op in our community.
Have you worked with budgets, financial statements, audits, HR, legal, operations, or project management? If yes, please describe.
Yes, have owned my own business and had a restaurant partnership with another couple.
How do you approach decision-making when there is financial or operational risk?
You would have to look at what the risks might be and make a confident decision on what would be best for the coop.
Do you have any experience in start ups, self-driving fundraising or organizing large fund raising efforts? If yes, please describe.
I have been involved in many fund raisers, school board member during referendums, my trucking business.
Please share an example of disagreeing with a group decision and how you handled it.
No response was provided.
How do you balance advocating for your perspective with supporting collective decisions?
As a board member you have to work as a group and make good decisions.
How would you help attract new members or volunteers?
Use social media to show the benefits of a well ran cooperative.
Do you have local networks or connections that could support the co-op’s growth?
Trucking / Transporting products.
How do you approach learning new skills or responsibilities outside your expertise?
No response was provided.
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?
No.
What would you do if you suspected a board member or staff member was not acting in the co-op’s best interest?
Bring concerns to the whole board.
Is there anything else you would like us to know about you?
I have lived in this area all my life and am vested in helping the community make this coop a reality.