Phoenix Coop Board Meeting Minutes   February 11, 1992

Meeting open at 7:45 p.m.. Present were Dave, Hal, Kristie, Sandy, Dini, Helen, Theresa, and Glenn Boatman.
-Previous meeting minutes read and approved, with notation that the rest room will be handicapped accessible, with input from Dan Wilkins.

Education Committee: Newsletter layout nearly complete.  Additional editing and graphics needed.  Estimated time of completion by this weekend.  Sandy mentioned problems getting it folded, stapled, mailed.  Hal described the newsletter generating process with postproduction handling comments by Sandy.  Dave added comments about desktop publishing.

Speaker's Bureau...Kristie and Hal will set it up.  There will be a speaker's training meeting on 3/12, 6:00–9:00 p.m. at Kristie's home.
Media...Citzen's Action Committee is held right to know press conference with little media coverage.  Hal was there and spoke briefly on Phoenix's behalf.  Cit. Act. Comm. is canvassing door-to-door and is willing to mention Phoenix and hand out flyers.  Theresa mentioned the importance of Public Service Announcements.  We should have one aired by 3/15 for a 4/15 opening date.  Ed. Comm meets at Hal's 2/18 at 7:30.  Hal called Lucas Co. Rec. Center for a table at Health & Fitness Fair.  There was no table for a competitor to the sponsors.  It would have cost $850.  They will keep us posted for next year.  Theresa asked if there was any plan to participate in Earth Day.  Kristie said that it was too late to get into print in Toledo's activities, but we can participate in Bob Jacksy's activities.  April 5, we will have a table at the YWCA. Ed Comm will handle this at comm.  meeting.

Glen Boatman addressed the board regarding the failure of Mich. Fed. of Food cooperatives.  They will possibly merge with New Farm from Madison Wis.  We talked about recruiting his buying club members an others.  Glen also added using Homeschoolers as volunteer/apprentice labor at the Coop.  Kristie moved to endorse the 7:00-10:00 p.m. meeting on 3/26 at St. Thomas Aquinas Church by the Northwest Ohio Coalition for National Health Care, which will be an educational meeting to show the types of national healthcare legislation being considered.  We will send a representative and Phoenix literature.  Dini seconded, motion passed.

Finance Committee: Becky distributed finance report.  So far, $7000 in loans has been pledged, mostly from the board.  We are current in bill paying, except $600 to Helen for subfloor.  Sandy went over business plan.  These will be given to potential donors, Who will be contacted first by phone.  Sandy made an appeal for names of other potential donors.  Brookes agency (insurance carrier) threatened that the unoccupied building may lose insurance.  After discussion, we concluded that they were trying to milk us for cash and if cancelled, we would find another agency.  Presently, weekly Sunday meetings are planned at Becky's house.  Needs: $$$

Membership committee: 175 paid members!  Ben JohnsonSolomon, with editing from Helen, roughed out a brochure.  Hal will edit it for production.  Idea slogans were shared and discussed.  Slogan issue was tabled.  We must reach out to other organization.  No response from Linkages, where we are listed as available speakers.  Kristie, Dini and Hal will meet for planning.  Needs: co-chair.

Fundraising: Merged into Education/Membership committee.  Co-chair is needed.  Better results come from direct soliciting cash instead of fundraisers.  Theresa suggested an annual dinner honoring John Cantor.

Nominations committee: Sandy, Evelyn Palmer and Kathe Lowe will meet within 7–10 days, then will report to the board.

Personnel committee: Ad appeared for manager; three strong and two other candidates.  Questionnaire will go out to them.  Feb. 25 board meeting, we will interview approx. three candidates.

Building committee: Last meeting's plan is in operation.  Shifts of volunteer groups with crew supervisor are in place and work is ongoing.  Free furnace estimate is forthcoming.  We are hoping to get labor donated for ductwork, etc.  Needs: more volunteers.

Equipment committee: By week's end, Helen will find three compartment sink and freezer.  Looking at used walk-in coolers, shelves, bulk bins, carts, etc.  for later.  Outlet placement not totally determined yet.  Security system estimate $240 installation, $25/mo.  We will get one or two more estimates.  Seeking grant for facade renovation.

New Business:  Ohio citizens Action Committee's Flyer Poisons in Our Neighborhood–Ohio Right to Know Initiative.  Dave moved we endorse it, Hal seconded.  Passed unanimously.

Hal mentioned Marc Beightol wants replenishment of laser paper.  We said yes.  Phoenix will list General meeting as a meatless event in conjunction with meatout on 3/20.  Sandy voiced his objection, but abstained.  Education & Membership committees will plan an earth day event.

Meeting Adjourned 10:45.