Phoenix Earth Food Cooperative
Board Minutes
February 24, 2016
Present: Colleen — Member/Guest, Leah Foley — Staff. Helen Eldon — Staff, Tom Fine, Anita Levin, Hermann Von Grafenstein, Sandor Halasz, Adrienne Armstrong, Tiffany Hubbell, Caitlin Cousino, Shelly Boraby
Absent: Alyx Kendzierski, Sean Fitzgerald — General Manager.
- MSC = Moved, Seconded, Carried
- Meeting Called to Order: 6:43 PM at the Toledo-Lucas County Main Library, by President Hermann.
- Minutes — MSC unanimously, to approve minutes of last Board meeting as amended.
- General Manager Report — Sean Fitzgerald reported in writing, Membership is increasing.
- Outreach — Adrienne reported that all is in place for Potluck on 2/27/16 6:30 PM . Fliers are at the Coop. Discussed having a Facebook
push
to publicize. Outreach email list formed for sending out requests for volunteers. Need volunteers at the Seed Swap. Helen will coordinate the table & Box
of materials. Outreach Committee met last week and decided not to have a table at Spoken
at the Ohio Theater because of cost. Next Outreach meeting at Hermann’s house 6 PM Tuesday 3/15/16.
- Survey results — Hermann reported 48 responses. Most important was shopping local & personal shopping experience. There are 60 more responses to be incorporated.
- Financial Reports — Tom Fine reported on reports circulated. January 2016 sales are down $4000 from 1 year ago. Cost of Goods Sold are $5000 less than 1 year ago. Payroll remains static over this year and prior year and probably cannot be lowered with the average wage $8.25 per hour. We need to consider increasing our wages especially if a new minimum-wage increase occurs. Leah and Tom answered questions about the reports and different accounts and specific expenses. MSC, unanimously, to accept the financial reports.
- Turnaround Plan — Hermann suggested ideas from On the Wild Side by Jo Robinson theories that current crops are deficient in vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants. But
Wild
varieties still have these phytonutrients. These are varieties not found in supermarkets. He suggests we have member gardeners or local farmers produce these varieties for the Coop to sell. Improves our local presence and distinguishes the Coop. Need to be complaint FDA Food Safety Act (FSMA). Discussed proposal. MSC to authorize Hermann to explore idea and submit a plan to Board for further discussion.
Tiffany and Adrienne left at 7:30 PM
- Jackson-Loan Update — Hermann reported on the letter that was sent to our attorney Scott Ciolek offering Jackson family $1000 and our reasoning for the offer. We are in a
wait and see
situation now as to what will happen.
Review of Action Items
- Anita — contacted Mark Mockensturm who was to reach Leah.
- Shelly — Phone tree is in progress. She sent an email to all members to update and encourage them to shop at the Coop. Shelly will check why some Board Members did not receive the email.
New Action Items
- Leah to contact Mark Mockensturm
- Hermann to plan
wild
Initiative
MSC to adjourn at 7:57 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Anita Levin, Secretary