Minutes, FCCM Meeting 2/12/09, held at Mary Siah
Meeting began at 5:35 PM
In attendance: Rob Leach, Sharon Alden, Hans Geier, Helen McLean, and Dave Lacey by speaker phone.
Old Business
Discussion on whether or not New Sagaya is happening here in Fairbanks. No new news. Looks like it probably is not happening. This was information that originally came from a meeting with Coral Howe from the Cooperative Extension at UAF.
Dave Lacey is working on a business plan. We still need an attorney for legal matters, and to set up accounts and plans for new investors, donations.
Discussion on how much impact Vision Fairbanks’ plans will have on our plans for the Foodland Building. We do not anticipate anything but support from Vision Fairbanks.
New Business
Discussion on committees
Communication Outreach Committee is ready to start, and a meeting time and place will follow. This committee consists of; Cora Kelley Helen McLean, Jackie Sunnyboy, Nicole Pearce, Lela Ryterski, Mary Christensen and joining them is Sharon Alden. The first concern for this committee is to plan the Annual Board Meeting, as required by bylaws. Rob Leach suggested that either the Foodland building or a pavilion at Pioneer Park this spring to coincide with the annual folk festival would be a good place to hold the event.
Interim Board Members are: Dave Lacey, Hans Geier, Robert Leach, Sharon Alden, Cora Kelley, Helen McLean, Rich Siefert. New, regular Board Members will be elected at the Annual Meeting.
Dave Lacey would like everyone to review e-mails, blogs, by-laws, business plan, to catch up on the progress that is being made. He strongly urges committees to get together and report to the Board.
Discussion on Vision Fairbanks Planning.
It was generally decided that it will be a good idea to keep in contact with this group to help lobby with Senator Thomas. Sharon Alden agreed to attend a Borough Assembly Meeting with Senator Thomas on Saturday , 2-14 at 2:00. FCCM wants cooperatives to be eligible for low or no interest loans like farmers and others involved in bringing local food and products to local consumers. Hopefully our representatives will see the wisdom in this and help to bring it about. We have to stay involved and shepherd it through the legislative process in whatever way we can help.
Defining the FCCM. This cooperative is really serving the Tanana Valley and the Interior, for the benefit of its residents, farmers and other producers. Sharon suggested a press release to tie in the food crisis, that we are on the end of the food chain, the cost of fuel and shipping. We want to get our vision spread and understood.
There is going to be a producers meeting in Delta. Dave, Rob, Sharon, and Hans plan on attending the meeting in Delta on Saturday the 28th. Members of the FCCM urged to attend. Car pooling was suggested. The Cooperative Extension Service is involved in sponsoring the meeting.
Future events. Dave was invited to set up a booth at the Health Fair in March. He has sent in the application and is waiting for follow-up.
Rob Leach is working with design people to get the building drawings out of the computer and to interested parties.
Helen McLean is strongly urging someone to serve as Secretary. We really need someone to keep track of meeting minutes, paperwork, and to work with Dave Lacey and the Board.
Next FCCM Meeting will be March 19th, at the Foodland Building. Rob suggested that all future monthly meetings be held there.
Meeting adjourned at 6:25 PM
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