2026 Board Candidate
Mary Wick
How many hours per month could you realistically commit to board work, including meetings and committee tasks?
6 Hours
Are there any times of year when your availability might be limited? If yes, please explain.
No
How familiar are you with cooperative principles and the member-owned model? Please explain.
Not very, but I shopped at various coops in the Minneapolis area.
Please share an example of supporting local food, sustainability, or community initiatives.
Shopping at farmers markets, farm stands, seed swaps.
What do you see as the biggest challenges facing a grocery co-op, and how would you approach them?
My guess would be money! Start up funds and attracting regular customers to the store. Social media presence, tabling events to recruit members and advertise the benefits of a coop.
If you joined the board, what would you hope to contribute to the co-op’s long-term vision?
I personally would love to have locally grown/wisconsin grown produce and products sold locally. Promote Wisconsin farmers, gardeners and workers.
Have you worked with budgets, financial statements, audits, HR, legal, operations, or project management? If yes, please describe.
I have many years of retail mgmt experience, social media/fundraising for a non profit animal rescue, many years of tech/computer experience in the legal tech field and am an avid gardener.
How do you approach decision-making when there is financial or operational risk?
Research the options, look at short term and long term goals . Above all the decisions must be ethical.
Do you have any experience in start ups, self-driving fundraising or organizing large fund raising efforts? If yes, please describe.
I have done social media fundraising for Red Lake Rosie's Rescue during Give to the Max every year for approx 10 years. We average about $10,000 in donations during that campaign which is 100% social media and email campaign. Its a very small animal rescue in northern MN.
Please share an example of disagreeing with a group decision and how you handled it.
Its good practice to step back and evaluate all sides. Take the time to let the emotions settle down and then have everyone address their concerns. Sometimes just letting everyone have a chance to speak and time to reflect before reacting or making decisions.
How do you balance advocating for your perspective with supporting collective decisions?
Be prepared with info to back up your ideas but don't take decisions of the group personally.
How would you help attract new members or volunteers?
Recruiting at community events with a table, social media, contests to get people in the store, engaging the community to tell us what they want to see in the store.
Do you have local networks or connections that could support the co-op’s growth?
I'm fairly new to the area.
How do you approach learning new skills or responsibilities outside your expertise?
The internet is a great resource for research and education but I'm not afraid to ask for help.
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?
N/A
What would you do if you suspected a board member or staff member was not acting in the co-op’s best interest?
Bring it to the board or whoever is designated as contact person.
Is there anything else you would like us to know about you?
I moved to Wood River in July of 2024 from Minneapolis and am looking forward to getting more involved in the community. I am an avid gardener (to plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow!)