FCCM First Annual Meeting 8-29-09

Our First Annual Meeting was held at Pioneer Park’s Civic Center in the theater.

It began with Rep. David Guttenberg from the 26th Alaska State Legislature presenting an Honorarium to David L. Lacey who founded the FCCM. Dave’s son, Vaughan, was there to accept the honor.

Cora Kelley made a power point presentation of the Co-op’s founding and goals for the health of our local community and the environment.

The Agenda was presented and Cora made a motion for approval. Hans seconded. The motion was approved.

Mary Christensen announced that we now have 1,005 members. Since 136 were present, we had a quorum.

Present on stage were Hans Geier, Rich Seifert, Mary Christensen, Sharon Alden, Helen McLean, Cora Kelley, Mike Emers, Morgan Macchione, Rand Petersen, Rob Leach, and Lela Ryterski. Each person introduced themselves to the audience (general membership).

Rob, as the Interim Chairperson, reported on what the Co-op had been doing to develop a business plan and connect with local producers.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Sharon reported that since our founding we had collected $37,000. Of that $10,000 went to the feasibility study, $2,800 was advertising, $1,600 for printing, and costs of goods was $1,800. We presently have $20,520 in the bank.

COMMUNICATIONS/OUTREACH: Mary reported that we’ve worked hard to have a successful Harvest Fair/First Annual Meeting which serves as a kick-off for a membership drive to realize 500 full members by November.

OPERATIONS COMMITTEE: Mary made an appeal for members to join this committee outlining its duties (i.e.: securing equipment, insurance, employees, etc.)

PRODUCTS/VENDORS COMMITTEE: Lela gave a synopsis of what had been occurring: finding vendors, developing criteria for products.

FINANCE COMMITTEE: Hans gave a synopsis: We’ve connected with a co-op bank.

STORE DESIGN: Rob reported we’re considering a section of the old Foodland Building.

BUSINESS PLAN: Rob explained how all these committees together will develop the business plan.

ADOPT BYLAWS: The copy of the Bylaws that was sent out to the membership had not yet been looked over by a lawyer. Two days prior to this meeting the core Board Members met to approve and update the editing done by the lawyer. Copies of this new edition were available at the door. Rob was at the podium to act as parlaimentarian.

Dan Hancock moved to substitute the old bylaws with this new edition. Mary Stech seconded. Rich Seifert didn’t want to approve without reading the corrections. Rob went over the basic changes. It was voted on, and the substitution passed.

Ben Birtles made a motion to adopt the new bylaws. Bett Schaffhauser seconded the motion. Discussion ensued. There were questions about founding members verses regular membership, and how often the Board meets. There was a call for a vote, and the Bylaws were adoped.

ELECTION OF NINE BOARD MEMBERS: As we opened the floor to address the election, a member made a motion to amend the Bylaws to include eleven Board members instead of nine. However, since we just voted on the Bylaws, this concern would have to be addressed at the next meeting of the membership. We moved on to the election.

Nominations from the floor were accepted. Lela nominated Vaughan Skylark. There was a move for nominations to be closed. It was seconded. All were in favor. Votes were placed into a closed box on the stage.

MEMBERSHIP FEES: $200 was proposed for full membership. Discussion ensued about the amount, and concern that time payments would be untimely for funding our project. The criteria for payments was left for the Board to decide. A motion called for a vote. It was seconded. A vote passed the $200 membership fee.

The floor was opened to Members’ Comments: there were none.

Mary announced the potluck.

Cora moved to adjourn. It was seconded. All consented. The meeting was adjourned at 5:00 p.m.