BELFAST CO-OP BOARD MEETING            April 22, 2010       FINAL

PRESENT:   Jeanne Gail, Allen Ginsberg, Wayne Kraeger, Bindy Pendleton, Kip Penny, Paul Sheridan, Zafra Whitcomb

ABSENT:  Russ Barber, Debbi Laski, Phil Prince, Jerry Savitz, Jerome Weiner, Mylisa Vowles

STAFF:  Chris Grigsby, Joe Jordan

FACILITATOR:  Kip                   Scribe:  Jeanne     Timekeeper:  Bindy       Vibewatcher:  ______

MINUTES OF LAST MEETING:  A question about the meaning of “membership review date” was clarified.  All dollar amounts were left in for the Website copy.  The bullet marks were removed from the GMT report.  The minutes were accepted with 7 in favor and 2 abstentions.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:  Paul has a photo in the Senior College art show.  He also asked us to support Cinemaniacs, a group showing art films and documentaries at the Colonial.  The Co-op is a sponsor of the Free Range Music Festival, to be held Saturday the 24th in Belfast.  The Co-op will take part in the Hope Festival in Orono.  At Good Life Festival at the Belfast Armory on May 8th, we will have a table, and the Belfast Area Transition Group will share a table with The Green Store as well.  Reminder:  the Fedco Tree sale will occur the weekend of April 30-May 1 for pre-order pick-ups, and over May 7-8 for the general public.  Finally, there will be a Farmer to Farmer Conference at Point Lookout next fall.

MEMBER COMMENTS:  A board member speaking as a member remarked that Board Committee’s written reports, now to be submitted in time to be read by BOD members before the monthly meetings, should be ready for putting up on the web.  This member expressed concern, however, that the Finance Committee report may be too detailed to present to the public.  Another was concerned that potential competitors such as Whole Food may benefit by such detailed information, generating fears among members.  The opposite views that similar detailed reports are typically published by other co-ops, and the harm that Hannaford might learn too much about us were raised.  A decision about this was deferred.

GENERAL MANAGEMENT TEAM REPORT:  See written report, covering topics of camera installation, floor re-finishing, outdoor seating, State of Maine required sexual harrassment training, staffing changes, new brochure, energy-saving thermostats for walk-in coolers...
The success of the March Super Sale Day prompted the decision to have more such sales.  Historically the number of sale days had been cut from 4 to 2, for fear of losing income.  But this sale increased gross income from $14,000 to $28,000, with only a 2% decrease in margin, and an apparent increase in young people and families shopping.
The new Patronage Dividend wallet cards will be ready in May.  The cards will be given out by cashiers; those not picked up will be mailed.  Cards will be printed on recycled 110 lb card stock which is actually cheaper ($500 vis $1500) than conventional; costing about 25 cents each.  Similar cards will be available for Gift Cards, only these will be “re-chargeable.” 

BOARD DEVELOPMENT AND ELECTIONS COMMITTEE:  This year’s officers were voted in:  Bindy as president; Allen as treasurer; Paul and Jeanne as co-scribes; Paul and Jeanne will share the agenda-writing task of secretary.  This slate was accepted, 7 in favor, 0 opposed, 0 abstentions.  The vice president position, now held by Debbi, will be offered to her. 
Zafra is awaiting several evaluation forms before he can collate the information therein.  Also still to be submitted are the small group facilitators’ summaries from the Annual Meeting.  Debbi is expecting the rest.  The Board file box will be relocated near the new door of the office, rather than in the HR office. 
We will decide new committee membership when more members are in attendance.  The idea of forming a Membership Committee will also be discussed.

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MANAGEMENT OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE:

LONG-RANGE PLANNING COMMITTEE:  At their last meeting, the committee wrote new versions of the Mission and Vision statements.  After brief discussion, these submitted new versions (see appended) were accepted with 7 in favor, 0 opposed, and 0 abstentions.
The many goals generated at the annual Retreat prompted the suggestion that each Board Committee prioritize goals and present the first 3 to act on.  The LRP committee will attempt to stimulate the other committees and entities to work toward these goals.

RECYCLING COMMITTEE:  The Co-op is taking plastic to Unity Area Recycling.  It was suggested that membership in this recycling center be encouraged and offered to groups and families, since the cost is minimal.

BUILDING AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE:  As submitted the 9-item report included completed security cameras, refinished and repaired floors, relocated office door, re-plumbed deli grease trap.  Ongoing projects are the parking lot drainage plan, new locally fabricated stair treads for the rear staircase and insulating and air-sealing the receiving room.

PURCHASING POLICY COMMITTEE:  Opening an outlet as per the new Maine State Medical Marijuana law is an idea in progress.  Paul is keeping up with new developments via a Google news account, and he is networking with physicians active in this field.  Legal questions are problematical since selling the drug is still not permitted in Federal law.

HOMEWORK:  Next meeting’s facilitator will be Bindy.  Possibly voting in Debbi as Vice President; committee assignments; study and bring goals from retreat notes and materials from long-range-planning committee on goal-setting; send in late board evaluations to Zafra; annual meeting summaries need to be sent to Debbi and she will report the results.

NEXT MEETING: May 27th at Waterfall Arts, Bindy facilitator, to whom committee reports are to be sent.

respectfully submitted,
Jeanne Gail, sub/co-scribe