Robert Wolf
Meet Candidate Robert Wolf
1) Why would you like to serve on the City Market Board? What excites you about becoming a Board Member?
Let's try this again! I ran for the City Market Board in 2019 and wasn't elected. Yes I was disappointed but learned a lot and want to try again! At that time I wanted to give back because of how much City Market has given to our community, supporting local farmers, businesses and residents through various programs. Since then my appreciation for City Market is even greater. Looking back over the past three years, City Market was instrumental in getting our community and family through the pandemic. As a thank you, I'd like to serve City Market these next 3 years as appreciation for all the hard work the employees, members and leadership gave to our community during very hard times.
On a personal note, I've always been interested in the food industry from my studies at UVM and gardening hobbies. I also appreciate the many healthy food choices, friendly employees and positive energy City Market creates in our community.
2) Please describe any professional skills you have that will help you to be an effective Board Member. How would you help the Board to balance the business needs of a $50 million business with the need to meet our Global Ends as a community-owned cooperative?
My career and experiences in the financial industry and our local non-profit world gives me the skills and knowledge to be an effective Board Member. I have over 35 years of banking experience which provides me with a strong understanding of business, finance, accounting and budgeting. My service with local non-profits and churches has provided me with knowledge about local transportation, housing and social needs of our residents and ties into City Market's Global Ends Mission Statement. My service as a Board Member would be to continue this successful strategy.
3) Describe your prior involvement with community organizations and/or cooperatives. What did you learn from these experiences?
There are many wonderful community organizations and cooperatives in the Burlington area serving the many and growing needs of our residents. Over my decades of living in Burlington I have volunteered for many of them providing food, transportation, housing, fundraising and education. I have so many experiences to draw from but the most common thread I can take away is listening to people's voices and needs is extremely important. As an effective Board Member it's very important for all members to have their voices heard. I will not have all the answers but through effective collaboration with members and other community organizations good outcomes can be achieved.
4) City Market, Onion River Co-op is a learning organization committed to Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) work. What opportunities do you see as a Board member to support these initiatives at City Market and how would you ensure that the Board's work is grounded in these principles? Describe any prior involvement in JEDI work either personally or professionally.
I'm glad we're discussing Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) at the Board level now. As I mentioned, I ran for the Board in 2019 and this topic was not included in the application but is now. So good for City Market! I've been in the workforce for a long time and seen many initiatives evolve...too slowly. It's past time. But I am encouraged to see JEDI initiatives now embraced by not just City Market but all kinds of not-for-profit and for-profit businesses, organizations, faith communities, schools, etc. I think organizations are finally realizing it's important their workforce be diverse and representative of their customer base and community. As a parent I have two daughters entering the workforce who remind me of the importance of creating an inclusive work environment! On a personal level, my employer continues to promote similar JEDI principals through awareness of issues in the U.S. and Canada offering many different insights and training opportunities on these continually evolving topics.
5) What opportunities and challenges do you see in the future of City Market?
The grocery business is and will continue to be, a very competitive, low profit margin industry needing skilled leadership. Over the past 50 years City Market has certainly met these challenges and found a successful niche growing into one of the larger co-ops in the U.S. Congratulations on 50 years! Through continued solid leadership, community outreach and social mission City Market has a bright future. 2022 has brought additional challenges of staffing and livable wage issues to attract and retain employees and am hopeful these issues can be resolved.
On a personal note City Market's South End Store is a welcome addition to our community and is key in City Market's continued success and growth. We are frequent customers of the South End Store and love it!