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The Communicator - June 2005

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The Board Report

April 28, 2005 - these were not in last month's newsletter.

Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.

The meeting began with introductions. Board members present: Audra Phillips,

President, Edward Bain,

Lynne Genter, John Maurer, Treasurer, Diane Stock, Colleen Sharkey, Secretary.

Members present: Tom Weber, Cindy Frazier, Mary Klain, Gerry Hendy, Carmen Reed, Bob Feller, Steve Wolfson, Ben Price, Sean

Luse.

I. Announcements

There has been discussion among staff regarding Co-op business structure, and efforts to be a more green, sustainable opera-

tion. The 1

meeting of this new advisory committee will be May 19

at 7:00 p.m.; all were invited.

Secretary Colleen Sharkey will be leaving the Board a few months early (June instead of October) to accept a position to teach

English in Japan.

Diane Stock will also be leaving the Board in June; she is pursuing a family dream and moving to Rutland, Ohio.

There are 4 members interested in the vacant Board positions; the Board will appoint members at next month's meeting.

Colleen will do the June newsletter Board report, Audra: July, John: August, Lynne: September.

Bob shared an estimate on scanning equipment for the store; $30,000 will include touch screen registers, scanner, scale, cash

drawer, software, on-site installation, training, and the 1

year of a tech support program (after 1

year, for tech support to

continue, cost will be 10% of total).

II. Minutes

It was pointed out that February Minutes still need to get into the newsletter. Colleen will make sure this happens. March minutes

were published in the newsletter prematurely, and still need to be approved. Audra made a motion to accept the March minutes, Lynne

seconded, no one opposed.

II. Produce Cooler Report

Sean L. brought a conceptual drawing of the produce cooler that Co-op management will consider purchasing (drawing by Dick

Yoakum). He asked if anyone had questions. Lynne would like to see some structure/strategy for raising donations leading up to the

first $10K. (At a previous meeting, the Board had suggested we raise $10K before seeking out a loan).

Tom W. asked where new coolers would be placed in the store; and suggested having a map for members to see when asking for

donations. Diane asked if these were the best available coolers; Bob shared this is still being investigated. Gerry asked if this

investment would be profitable right away. Sean points out that the coolers are critical; the current coolers keep breaking down, are

inefficient, and not aesthetically pleasing.

Everyone at the meeting was given a chance to give input on the produce cooler report. Some key suggestions included:

Ask the vendors who might benefit from coolers (in better sales) to contribute;

To begin the capital campaign right now- have us all at the meeting contribute $12 (it was calculated that we would raise $10K if

every member gave $12);

Give a real photo of the cooler so members can see what exactly their money would buy;

Have a meeting to plan out the campaign- Lynne volunteered to help.

As discussion came to a close, everyone at the meeting went into his or her pockets and purses to contribute to the cooler.

Carmen, Finance director, took the contributions.

III. Idea proposal from Steve Wolfson

Kevin Murphy has given some great ideas for how to "green" the store; for example, we are in a perfect physical position to install a

solar canopy above the entrance to the store. In July, we will be eligible for a grant from the city to install it. Steve suggests that this

would make a statement about sustainability and be inspiration for other green efforts.

Steve will come to the next Board meeting with a formal proposal and report to bring hard numbers.