BIO: Susan Dillon

Current Position: Board Member

I have been a member at the Potsdam co-op since October 2006. Co-ops are very important to me for both products and community. I have been a member of a co-op everywhere that I have lived since the 1970’s and will continue to for life. In Potsdam, I have been a core worker and a regular volunteer, doing everything from cleaning to inventory. My work history includes working for financial institutions, nonprofits and as a retail salesperson. My education also includes a lot of nonprofit studies. I have done grant writing and produced events for a living.

I would like to see the co-op increase sales by having better employee/customer encounters, particularly at the point of sales cash-out. I would like to see the outdoor bulletin board used for sales flyers, the SNAP program explained and co-op member/owner benefits explained. As a disabled person. I am sensitive to accessibility issues. I appreciate the co-op as being a steady place for me to buy quality products. My emphasis will be on marketing/outreach, both in store and in the wider community.

I appreciate having the staff there to help me. More needs to be done to help staff be knowledgeable and to sell the co-op experience to newcomers. I have been a member of larger community with contacts in many fields through the organizations, like SOAR. I think that the co-op does a fine job now, with a need on emphasizing that we are a retail/sales space and need to retain well trained and knowledgeable employees.