Melissa Nicolas

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1. Why would you like to serve on the Board of Directors of Pullman Good Food Co-op?

I think the Co-op coming to Pullman is going to be a very good thing for this community, and I would like to be part of the team making that happen.

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2. What professional experience, training, education, or other board experience have you had that would contribute to the Board’s work and the mission of Pullman Good Food Co-op?

I have worked in higher education for close to thirty years which means I have extensive experience working collaboratively in all size groups with various stakeholders who sometimes have competing desires. I am able to present information in multiple formats to different audiences to maximize understanding, and I have led more meetings than it seems humanly possible for one person to lead.

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3. What skills and qualities do you have that uniquely qualify you for the Board of Directors?

I have significant training in working with diverse populations; I have supervised, mentored, and trained people from 16-65; and I have worked with multiple audiences with differing needs, desires, and goals.

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4. Think about a situation that demonstrates your ability to create a climate that values cultural diversity. How would you encourage sharing different perspectives?

I have extensive training in diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility as a women's gender and sexuality studies faculty member and disability studies scholar. I have published on these topics, conducted training in these areas, and attended many professional development workshops sessions on these issues. The sharing of different perspectives is best ensured when is it is built into the system from the outset and not retrofitted. This requires the people who usually hold the power to recognize that they do not have all the answers.

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5. Describe any experience you have in reading and understanding financial statements.

I don' t have this experience.

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6. Describe your applicable experience in any the following: Capital Campaign & Fundraising, Ownership Development, Accounting, Real estate, Local agriculture, Local government or WSU.

I have been involved in departmental governance at WSU and college-level governance at two other universities (Associate Dean level).

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7. Describe the applicable experience, skills or knowledge you have working with any or all of the following: cooperatives; policy governance; non-profit or for-profit boards; a group that used active member participation to achieve its goals.

I have not been a member of a board of directors before

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8. Describe your connections with the community, including volunteer work if applicable.

I am a faculty member at WSU and I work part-time at Brused Books.

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9. Describe any business or entrepreneurial experience you have.

I have just started my own LLC and have opened my own Life Coaching business.