Phoenix Earth Food Co-op (PEFC)
Annual Meeting 10/29/23

Location: Glenwood Lutheran Church on Monroe S., Toledo, OH and via Teleconferencing CISCO WEBEX

Present: Hermann von Grafenstein, Sean Fitzgerald (General Manager), Maureen Ciesinski, Thomas Fine, Sándor Halász, Claudia Cooper, Leah Foley, Cassie Mulligan, Nik Botek, Monica Perry, Hal Hamer, Anita Levin, Carlton Surtman, Adrienne Armstrong, Janice Flahiff, Anastasia Rudinger, Mary Sawers, Bob Avery, David McGinnis, Alyx Kendzierski, Fred Heany

MSC - Moved Seconded and Carried: Resolutions are numbered R1–2

  1. Meeting called to Order by the President, Hermann Von Grafenstein, at 6:45 PM with brief welcoming message.
  2. Determination of Quorum -Vice President Adrienne Armstrong certified that there was a quorum with in-person and virtual attendance.
  3. Proof of Announcement of Meeting - the meeting was posted in the store, on the website and by email beginning in August, 2023.
  4. Introduction of Board Officers and Members
  5. Committee Reports -

    Development Committee -Anita Levin reported on the acquisition of the City-of-Toledo Façade Grant and the Lucas-County Port-Authority low-interest loan to obtain funds for the roof now in progress, painting of the exterior, completed and replacement of windows and lighting in the plans. We still need to acquire funds for the flooring and parking-lot improvements. Real Phoenix LLC has opportunities for members to invest in the coop thru a loan program. We thanked the entire Committee for its work especially, Anita, Sean Nestor, Hermann Tom Fine, Hal Hamer and Sean Fitzgerald.

    Outreach Committee - Adrienne reported that we have participated in roughly 10 events this past year, with great success.

    Newsletter Committee -David Fine has sent out regularly weekly emails to members highlighting the store specials, staff picks. Reinstatement of other articles should begin soon. These regular contacts with shoppers has shown in increased sales this year.

  6. General Manager Report -Sean Fitzgerald, General Manager, discussed the progress we have made in improving the building, increasing sales, and our survival of the beginning and the end of Whole Foods in Toledo. Our summer was more vigorous than in prior years. The Coop has no outstanding overdue bills to pay.
  7. Finance Report-Anita and Leah Foley reported on the improved financial position of the Coop and the need to continue to increase sales. We reviewed the prior year in comparison to this year and are heartened by a steady improvement, not solely related to inflation.
  8. Approval of Minutes-Minutes of 2022 Annual Meeting were approved as distributed. MSC -R 1

  9. NOMINATIONS FOR COOP BOARD - 4 positions open on the Board and 2 candidates, Tom Fine and Adrienne Armstrong were nominated. The Board currently has two additional empty positions. Nominations from the attendees were sought without success

    Elected were Tom Fine and Adrienne Armstrong. Maureen Cielinski was thanked for her many years of service.

  10. New Business -Discussed ideas from the attendees for the Coop initiatives in the coming year:
    1. Changing the Quorum to a quarter of Active members and requesting members shop at the Coop to remain active or respond to an email.
    2. Participate in the Toledo Farmers Market on Saturdays.
    3. Establish Garden volunteers -consider Wild Ones speaker and assistance. (Janice Flahiff is a contact.)
    4. Build on our news coverage by seeking out Mary Alice Powell and new Food Editor via our contact with Mary Bilyeu (Immediate past Food Editor and Coop enthusiast) for an article in the Sunday Blade.
    5. Have a meeting to introduce members to the Real Phoenix LLC opportunities for investment in the Coop's future
  11. Adjournment: Motion to adjourn at 7:50 PM. MSC - R2

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Respectfully submitted, Anita Levin Secretary