The Co-op Q&A with Ahmad Shaibani
By Aly Miller
This month we’re proud to feature an interview with our newest board member Ahmad Shaibani. Thanks Ahmad, for all you do!
Q: How did you decide to join the Co-op, and when did you become a member?
A: I was first introduced to the Co-op in September of 2017 when I was invited to check out the Park Slope Food Coop. I was skeptical and maybe a little cynical of the co-op model, but I want to avoid judging things until I’ve been a part of it. I decided to join the co-op closest to my house, which is Greene Hill. And wow, after that first shift, I realized that something was different here. I had a lot of fun during my shift. Just working here alone was enough for me to come back. I love working here, feeling like I’m doing something good for the community. I enjoy unpacking the produce, putting it all away. There’s something so satisfying about this task-oriented work. And the good food, the lower prices and values happen to come later.
Q: You’ve played a huge role here during the past few years. Can you tell us a little bit about what you’ve been up to recently?
A: Lately I’ve been doing everything I can to keep the Co-op running, which involves a lot of little things. The biggest thing has been helping hire the new manager. This was the first time I interviewed someone, and I discovered just how difficult the hiring process is. We tried to make it as holistic and thorough as possible, because the right person is more than their technical merits but also about how they relate to the neighborhood and our Co-op values.
Q: How has the Co-op impacted your life?
A: The Co-op has taught me patience because you have to cooperate with so many people. And that’s different from other jobs I’ve had, such as working at a restaurant, where there’s someone in charge, giving out orders. Here, everything you do has to first be negotiated within your head and then with others. This a learning process, but eventually it becomes second nature. So I think learning the democratic process, and adopting that value as my own, has been huge for me.
Q: Where would you like to see the Co-op in five years?
A: I’d like to see us become a fully self-sustaining and a well-oiled machine, where things keep working even if a part breaks down. We’ll be so adaptable. Right now, we’re learning how to walk. We need really active members to make it happen.
Q: What do you like to do outside of the Co-op?
A: I tutor at the spatial lab at Pratt Institute. I also map maps and provide research for the American Institute of Architects. I love walking around the city, visiting different neighborhoods. In the summer, I love walking, visiting Fort Greene Park and barbequing.