Check the following areas which you have experience
| ✅ | Group process and/or group decision-making |
| Meeting facilitation | |
| Public speaking | |
| Writing newsletter articles | |
| ✅ | Strategic planning |
| Accounting and/or finance | |
| Project management | |
| Online file sharing and calendars (Google) or website editing or management | |
| Volunteer programs | |
| ✅ | Past and/or present participation on a board of directors |
| Retail and/or Other Business experience | |
| Legal training and/or experience | |
| Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | |
| Other |
Present occupation/One's life's Work
- Spacecraft Laser Altimetry scientist, cartographer, and data archivist at NASA Goddard.
- Founded Greyhound Welfare, created The Thousand Tree Project, served on the City Committee on the Environment
- Mother of three. Twenty-five year Takoma Park resident. Fluent in English, Hindi, French, and have a basic understanding of Spanish and Japanese. Have studied Arabic.
- Ecosystem revival is my jam
Why are you interested in serving on the Board?
Background: I’ve been a shopper since this location opened, and value what the co-op provides the community and the people that run it.
Over the recent decade, the operations of the coop have been threatened by various development plans, and put its existence in jeopardy. The co-op has been unfairly represented and maligned within development and political circles.
Why I’m interested in serving:
- I want to stand up for the co-op’s interests within the City, and correct false information or misunderstanding
- I want to help set the direction of this progressive establishment.
- I want to contribute to this fine community hub that has sustained us
Why are cooperatives in general and TPSS Co-op in particular important to you?
Of the people, for the people, by the people.
Therefore - serving the needs of the community while creating sustainable employment for those that work there.
Not - fattening fat cats
What volunteer or professional experiences have you had with other cooperatives, community groups, or professional organizations that will help you strengthen the TPSS Co-op Board?
- Created and ran a non-profit that has now lasted 22 years.
- Worked in Business Strategy Consulting
- Served on the board for a non-profit bar
- Significant interest in organic agriculture, water issues, and indigenous peoples rights
What is your favorite co-operative principle and why?
It is hard to choose between Open Membership and Democratic Control, but if I have to, I will go with Open Membership.
Open membership allows each one of us equal importance. This is a human right.
Open membership does still reflect the economic and other biases in our area, and participation in community events and food banks does help make up for it.
Why are diversity and equity important to you, and how do these principles show up in your life?
There are two options in our society - to perpetuate the hierarchies of white supremacy, or to acknowledge diversity. To not is to go backwards to colonial and supremacist ideals. Nothing good about that, not for people, business, or planet.
Equality = Diversity
Equity = Diversity + Financial rights = Power
We are already equal. Our institutions must reflect it. I like the co-op’s style.
In my daily life, I look for societal influences on our thinking, and speak the truth and make the change we need.