|
|
| Back to the Table of Contents |
Member worker
profile: Lorrie Graham
|
by Hope Perlman
|
Lorrie Graham professed
herself mystified as to why she should be the subject of a Coop Scoop
profile, but a few minutes' conversation with her reveals that she has
been a vital member of the Co-op since she joined in 2004. Lorrie
completed a three year term on the Co-op's Board last April. She has a
unique perspective on the HWFC, from a position of insider knowledge,
as well as from the point of a view of a regular weekly member worker,
and as a shopper.
During her tenure on the Board, the HWFC went through a major
disappointment--when it needed to scrap the original plans for the new
store and come up with new ones. It was an interesting and very
time-consuming process, but Lorrie is positive that the change will be
wonderful.
Food allergies originally led Lorrie to the HWFC. She "didn't feel
right" shopping unless she joined, so she did. Like many new members,
she experimented with jobs before finding the right fit. She worked in
the grocery and bulk departments, fi- nally deciding on cashiering. Now
that she has stepped down from the Board, she once again operates the
registers, Tuesday afternoons. She really enjoys the employees and
member workers she knows, and the family-like atmosphere in the store.
Lorrie seems to know everyone who works at the HWFC and has many
positive views about the business. As a Board member she "learned every
day." She feels that as an employer, the HWFC allows its employees to
maximize their "human potential" by trying out new ideas or
experimenting with different jobs. The result is a workplace in which
"each person can grow into her best traits."
Furthermore, the overall mission makes the HWFC special. From her
perspective as a Board member, she saw how carefully the HWFC balances
its public and its membership's interests. They want both groups to
feel welcome. The emphasis on community teaching, healthy choices, the
commitment to avoid "stuff you really have to read" labels for in the
regular supermarket makes shopping at the HWFC worthwhile.
A mother of four and grandmother of six, Lorrie used to bake and can.
Now that her children are grown, and she no longer needs to keep a
running supply of "homemade junk"--i.e., baked goods-- she appreciates
the amount of locally produced jams, jellies, and other canned goods
"that I didn't have to make." She is a big fan of the bulk section,
which has "good turnover." She also likes the large selection of local
foods that are local to Albany, "not local as in New Jersey local." She
loves that she can find things at the Co-op that you can't find in a
regular grocery store. Even though, these days, there is more product
overlap between the chain stores and the HWFC than before, you can
still find special things here. And the Wellness Department is "better
than anyplace else."
The Co-op does an "amazing" job with its resources, says Lorrie.
Considering the limitations of the space, the poor configuration of the
building, the cramped quarters for staff, and the "terrible" parking
situation, the HWFC performs really well. The move to the new space
will bring welcome change to the HWFC. The next stage of the HWFC's
life will be moving towards predominantly non-member shoppers. The
opportunity for "dynamic growth" is great, but there will also be
challenges. For example, one of the best features of the HWFC is its
customer service. With increased customers, maintaining that personal
touch may prove difficult.
Lorrie's interests outside the HWFC are varied. She earned a master's
in school psychology, although she never pursued work in that field.
Instead, she creates college- level standardized exams for students at
Excelsior College, and she recently started a niche business, sewing
custom vestments for clergy. She makes items for all religions and
denominations. Her hobbies include baking, reading, playing with her
dog, and knitting. She has "socks out my ears," and also knits hats,
mittens and scarves for an elementary school in the Adirondacks that is
supported by St. Stephen's Church in Delmar.
|
| Back to the Table of Contents |
|
|
|
