At our January 18, 2018 annual meeting, we will be holding elections for open seats on our board of directors. Note that this is a regular full council meeting. As such everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend; the vote itself will only take up a small time slot.
According to our bylaws, members who are present will participate in the vote. Anyone who wishes to join as a member prior to the vote may do so including on January 18; you may become a member on our web site right now or at the January 18 meeting, in which case, please come early and bring the $25 of membership dues – we accept check, exact change cash, mastercard, visa.
Below are the profiles for candidates who have nominated themselves for election to the board, in alphabetical order, by last name. Note that we did not significantly alter nomination information, therefore the formatting and length of each is variable in order to preserve the original voice of the nominee. Please read through them all to give them equal consideration.
You may also download the 2018 MFC BOD candidate profiles in PDF format here.
The 2018 Milwaukee Food Council Board of Directors candidates are: Karin Conway, Daphne Jackson, Meg Kilkenny, Brian Sales, and Nya Taryor Jr.
Please scroll all the way down to view all of the candidates’ profiles.
THE REASONS WHY I AM APPLYING FOR THE MILWAUKEE FOOD COUNCIL BOARD MEMBER NOMINATION
During the years of 2015-2017, I was voted in to have a place on the board. I will explain why that two year term allowed me to commit to serving as a board member for the Milwaukee Food Council. I will explain why I decided to put a bid in for a nomination. The first paragraph will share how hospitable I became for the board and other members of the Milwaukee Food Council to engage in business that needed to be done. The second paragraph has to do with my duties that were performed during my term as a board member. Finally, I will explain the reason why I wanted to network with the organization.
The setting began at the first board meeting. Jesse Blom was also a part of the class I was voted in. He asked a question at the beginning of the meeting saying, “Does anyone want to host future board meetings?” I responded with saying that the organization could meet at Summerfield United Methodist Church. From that statement, many activities within the Milwaukee Food Council accepted that hospitality. It allowed meetings on food insecurity, economic development and even the opportunity for the City Ecological and Health Department to discuss with the Board of Directors. I would say the most important event that happened because of the hospitality that I brought to the Milwaukee Food Council, was the ability to sit with the Madison office of the American Heart Association. The representative that they had in Milwaukee connected with me to give me the opportunity to sit down with them. Listening to their vision which focused on Healthy Food to be provided to the low income areas was a historical event. I hope to continue these types of events at Summerfield United Methodist Church. If we are going to make “History”, the setting of these events will be documented.
First, I would like to humbly say that it was an honor by the members of the Milwaukee Food Council to vote for me to be a board member. I wanted to be someone who would participate in those activities to support movements bettering the food system in Milwaukee. I am someone who wants people to survive, eat healthy and to be able to be themselves. I was grateful for the opportunity to be voted in. It has given me the ability to show the people of the organization how dedicated I am to help do things that could better the system within Milwaukee. I even had the privilege of being Vice President during my term. It happen by default, however I worked well with the executive committee and established myself as a leader in the group. That I am grateful for and hope that the bid I put in is seen as something or someone who is willing to be a champion for change in making Milwaukee a city that defeats hunger with people working together.
How I got here? That would be a long story to explain. Yet, I would say it is because Milwaukee needs to be recognized for something great to the world. Back in 2005, when I graduated from Olivet College, my goal was to become someone in a city that would influence ideas. The only community in Milwaukee that I am connected to is the United Methodist Church. I’m at least fourth generations connected to the denomination. A lot of people thought that I would become a minister. I still have the ability to reach that goal when I feel God has that goal set for me. However, my journey took me to the streets where I was able to gain a understanding of the issues within society. From that I helped establish a soup kitchen at Summerfield United Methodist Church to reach people in need. The program is in its sixth year. It has grown into something our Wisconsin Annual Conference can use as an opportunity to do Ministry Outreach. I wanted to work with others within these communities in Milwaukee to better the region. Even though I am a Methodist, I know that the world is full of diverse people and in order for people to co-exist, we have to work together.
In these few paragraphs I hope that I explained the reason bid to be a member of the Milwaukee Food Council Board Of Directors from 2018-2020. I explained some of the hospitality that my bid gave during my term. I was even able to share the responsibilities that I had to take on while on the board. Finally, I shared the fact that my purpose and goal was to work with others to help solve issues in Milwaukee. I love the city and know it has the ability to influence other cities to connect as a compassionate community. I want to be a part of the growth of a great organization. I am a member that wants to help with the change and hope to continue developing my leadership role and skills. Please consider my bid as one which will be important to the food system for this city.
Nya Taryor
Summerfield United Methodist
Wiley College, Olivet College Graduate 2005, Garrett Theological Seminary
Previous Board Experience: Summerfield Administrative Council, Interchange Food Pantry and The Milwaukee Food Council
Skills: Community Engagement, Public Relations, Communication, Non-Profit Experience, Networking, Volunteer Coordinating, Member Engagement, Event and Program Planning
End of Candidate Profiles
Volunteer Engagement Coordinator,Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin
I am an advisor (teacher) at Escuela Verde, a student-led, environmentally-focused public charter school in Milwaukee’s South Side. I have presented my work with Milwaukee youth at the North American Association for Environmental Education Conference both from a Food Justice standpoint as well as from the standpoint of marginalized populations and their involvement in the environmental movement.
Program Manager, CORE/El Centro; Board member, Outpost Natural Foods;
Education includes;
I am a regular attendee to the Food Council meetings during the NEW administration and look forward to being a leader at the table of strategic planning to help improve our Food system In Milwaukee.
I am a passionate supporter of local food and reforming a food system that is healthier for all people and the planet. I have worked with entities that address food insecurity and production, and the promotion for better health and nutrition. During my time at Feeding America food bank, I organized volunteers to help pack and get food into the hands of those who need it most. In an effort to maximize Feeding America’s produce donations while working to minimize wasted product and resources, I spearheaded the creation of their Fresh Rescue produce sort. The program ensured that donated fruits and vegetables, received from grocery stores and producers, would be thoroughly inspected and correctly stored before entering the distribution system, so that clients would receive only the best kinds of foods, safe and nutritious.
Founder, Milwaukee Food Council.
Executive Director, Friedens Community Ministries, Inc.: a network of (3) food pantries in Milwaukee county.
I grew up at my grandfather’s side both in the garden and the kitchen. He taught me about the therapeutic aspects of good food. Later, I studied and practiced Ayurvedic nutrition (certified at University of Puna, India). My work at Institute of Urban Agriculture & Nutrition continues to teach the therapeutic aspects of growing and sharing food. I have an MA in Communication focused on social marketing, and have executive administration experience at Zilber School of Public Health. I’ve been honored as a Women of Influence (Milwaukee Business Journal), Member of the Year (Wisconsin Public Health Association), Miller Master’s Service Award (UW-Milwaukee), and was nominated for Academic Staff Outstanding Service (UW System).
This is an exciting time for the Milwaukee Food Council, and I seek to serve on the MFC inaugural Board of Directors. I hold graduate degrees in Urban Planning and Public Administration from UW-M; my education has given me the skills and perspective to further the goals of the MFC in a diverse, urban context. I am currently a doctoral candidate at the School of Freshwater Sciences (Policy and Economics). I study the environmental aspects of food waste recycling and urban food production, including policy implications. My research helps me understand food policy, and I am familiar with some of the most effective urban food councils globally. I love to cook, eat, and compost.