FCCM Minutes for May 7, 2009
Present were Mary Christensen, Rob Leach, Helen McLean and Lela Ryterski.
The minutes from the previous meeting were read, corrected and seconded.
Rob created binders to hand out to us with info on how to create a successful food Co-op. In the binders are Robert’s Rules of Business, Conducting a Member Survey, A Guide for New Cooperative Development and How to Start a Food Co-op.
A) COMMUICATIONS/OUTREACH. Rob spoke about connections we need to make to be visible in the community. The Co-op could support the Food Bank, or man phones at the KUAC fundraisers, for example. He suggested we help CSAs like Calypso and Rosie Creek Farms, etc. If these producers support the co-op, we should try to get letters stating they would supply us. We could take that to the bank when requesting a loan.
Develop a volunteer component. We need legal and accounting help, etc.
Communications Committee will put together a member survey.
The Annual Meeting/Harvest Fair. Lela will book tables to potential suppliers for free. Barb and Tom are looking into games and entertainment. Get prizes. Ask businesses if we could advertise in their newsletters. Meadow will do an ad. Mindy will do a poster. Helen will organize volunteers. The “local producers” letter and packet is almost complete. We’re planning a Membership Drive Day at local businesses. Mary will contact businesses. Helen wants the Co-op’s presence at her greenhouse for planting events on May 30th and June 6th. We’re planning to man a booth at the opening of the new dog park on May 18th at noon. Other events are the Folkfest and Fourth of July in Ester.
The cost for renting the space at Pioneer Park for our Annual Meeting is $350 for the day.
Rob talked to Lori at KUAC. We can do a public service announcement by going to PSA@KUAC.org.
He mentioned doing an Any Old Time Co-op Radio Hour. We could feature local artists, give recipes and health tips in between, etc.
B) LOCAL PRODUCERS. Jerry was not in attendance.
C) STORE DESIGN. Rob talked to a DEC person. We need to take an inventory of what is in the building that we can use. Keep a binder in the building. We need volunteers to do inventory. We need someone to help with refrigeration.
D) BUSINESS PLAN. We have a folder developed.
E) PRODUCT SELECTION. Lela will call some co-ops to ask what they do.
Unfinished Business:
A) BYLAWS. We reviewed the revised bylaws.
New Business:
A) MEMBERSHIP FEES. Mary and Sharon came up with a two-system fee proposal: $200 for a full basic lifetime membership which can be paid in installments of $20 every 4 months. Full, immediate, payment is rewarded with a coupon book with coupons from local businesses and a $25 gift certificate at the Co-op. $300 for a “Gold” membership. Full, immediate, payment rewarded with a coupon book and $50 gift certificate. Other perks for a “Gold” membership are advertising in our newsletter, etc.
The next general meeting will be on May 21, 2009 at 6 p.m. at the Foodland site.
The next Communications Committee meeting will be on May 18th at 6 p.m. at Mary’s [Christiansen].
The meeting was adjourned at 9 p.m.
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