● Come in and check out latest changes in the education/customer service area. The walk-through is open and being gratefully utilized, the reading nook has been partitioned off, and the information space is starting to come together. The express lane register is operable, although we aren't making plans to add in any additional labor to staff it under our present financial circumstances. We are presently seeking donations of books, games, and puzzles with nature or agricultural themes for the children's area, along with pillows or bean bags, and books related to our mission for our lending library for adult readers. We'll be purchasing a few cheap bulletin boards in the next few weeks, and the space should be nearly complete by August 1st. Thanks to our Board and Member volunteers for working with us to turn this idea into reality over the past year.
● The results of the Employee Climate Survey administered by the HR dept. are in. 25 out of 59 distributed surveys were returned, for a return rate of 42%. Here's a brief review of some highlights: more people would be inclined to participate if we lowered the eligibility criteria to participate in benefits programs (currently set at 32 hours); respondents were satisfied with Earned Time Off benefits; most folks feel like they are compensated fairly although the comment “paid poorly to fair relative to effort” was made; concerns were raised about whether or not merit based raises are being administered fairly, with favoritism cited as a factor in the compensation equation; respondents felt strongly that they all had good working relationships with their supervisors; almost all respondents felt that they are making a valuable contribution to the Co-op; opinion was split about whether or not the GMT does a good job of keeping employees informed about what is going on; respondents agree that the Co-op is focused on helping employees to grow professionally; most respondents agree that policies are administered fairly, although the favoritism concern came up again; and to the final question, “if you were the boss, what would you do differently?” many suggestions were offered, and three themes that came up were “I wouldn't want to be the boss,” “I'd close for more holidays,” and “do more to ensure that all staff are treated fairly and with respect.”
● At the suggestion of 5 or more members via the member survey, and with a belief that this is one area where we can increase sales in the current economic climate, we've been kicking around the possibility of offering deeper discounts (up to 20%) on pre-orders of case lots for members. With 5 or more buying clubs in the area (that we know about) we feel that this is a service that we could offer to our members that would also bring in more income, and we are presently working to analyze how a deeper discount would affect departmental and store-wide margins and whether or not this idea is do-able in all departments, or just a select few.
● Our Education Dept. is currently participating in the planning of the Belfast area celebration of the International Day of Climate Action, along with the City, and member Mitch Henrion, whose been providing the impetus and inspiration to get our community to act in solidarity with communities around the world to “rise to the challenge of climate change” and ultimately reduce carbon dioxide emissions in our atmosphere to a level of 350 parts per million. Learn more about the movement at www.350.org, and contact Fran at the Co-op if you are interested in participating in the planning process for the Belfast Event to take place on Oct. 24.
● We're in the midst of planning for Customer Appreciation Day, to take place on Saturday, August 15th, and feeling optimistic about our efforts to reduce the cost of the event. We're cutting costs significantly by reducing the number of musicians performing, as well as working to ensure that overtime will be minimal and offset by fewer labor dollars coming out of the bank during the weeks prior to and following the event. A new feature this year will include a mini-health fair, with local alternative therapy practitioners volunteering their healing arts to visitors. Don't forget to sign-up for your shift. We really appreciate your assistance and co-operation.