Phoenix Earth Food Co-op
Annual Meeting
October 15, 2017
Pilgrim Church on Sylvania Ave, Toledo, OH

In Attendance: See separate sign-in sheet.

  1. Meeting was called to order at 6:35 PM.

    President Hermann Von Grafenstein established a quorum with Sandor Halasz.

    Proof of Announcement of this meeting established by email, social media and US Postal mail.

    Welcome by President Hermann von Grafenstein.

  2. Introduction of Board Members present.
    1. President Hermann von Grafenstein
    2. Vice President Sandor Halasz
    3. Secretary Anita Levin
    4. Treasurer Tom Fine
    5. Claudia Cooper
    6. Alyx Kendzierski
    7. Adrienne Armstrong Outreach chair
    8. Shelley Boraby
    9. General Manager Sean Fitzgerald
  3. Review of past year by President Hermann. Key accomplishment of this past year highlighted by Hermann. We survived yet another year despite intense competition in the natural and organic food marketplace in Toledo. We distinguish ourselves from the others through our key strength of members and volunteers that allows us to govern together quickly and democratically. We provide a community for our members and shoppers, unlike our competitors.
    1. Ongoing programs include Outreach to connect members to each other and to the co-op. Additional good PR through Blade.
    2. Expanded Wild Food Program with local organic small member/volunteer farmers with varieties that are more nutrient dense than commercial organic produce.
    3. Expanded Hydroponics Program in the basement of the co-op.
    4. Initiated co-op Delivers Program which is still in its infancy as a program.
    5. Independent fundraisers spurred by individual members like Go Fund Me campaign and speaker/singer program through member Hal Hamer. Bake sales initiated by Adrienne Armstrong.
    6. Revised Policy Register document which governs co-op.
  4. General Manager report by Sean Fitzgerald as distributed on state of store. Compliments the involvement of board, members and staff. Attended the NCG, co-op of co-ops, meeting in Minneapolis, MN. Competition is tough in whole foods, organic market place. Other co-ops have also experienced challenges in this current market. We are looking forward to a Point of Sales (POS) system through assistance from NCG. Our small size means we only need to add a few shoppers a week to effect change. Thank you to members for ongoing support of the co-op model.
  5. Financial report by Treasurer Tom Fine. Snapshot of last year July 2016-17 and compared to Year 2015-16. Sales have dropped but our overall position with good management has remained less of a percentage drop, We can't sustain this pattern over time but we need to increase outreach and sales.
  6. Outreach — Adrienne Armstrong. Big push last November, 2017, to leaflet and flier neighborhood without noticeable impact. Focus now on targeting smaller constituencies like monthly Vegan Meet up at co-op, co-op Delivers Program advertised to senior groups this coming January, 2018, regular potlucks and co-op tastings weekly, attendance at community events & festivals. Outreach meets regularly on third Tuesday of most months and the committee has fun as well. All volunteers are welcome to join in.
  7. Election of new board members. President Hermann appreciated Sandor Halasz for his 9 years of service to the co-op Board. Moved, seconded and carried to recognize Sandor with a plaque recognizing his contributions to the co-op over the past 9 years. We will spell coöp with ö in honor of Sándor's insistence on this spelling being more exact. Also recognized Sean Nestor, former co-op board president, for remaining interested in the Coop activities. Attendees went around room introducing themselves and their interests in the Coop.
    1. Need to elect 2 new board members. Nominated, elected and announced results Tom Fine, Adrienne, and Maureen Ciesinski, for 3-year terms and Mary Sawers, for 1-year term.
  8. Feedback from members in attendance to set the direction of the co-op for the next year. What should the co-op be and which activities should the co-op pursue to increase membership and sales?
    1. Make every customer feel welcome through greeting and inquiring if each shopper has found what they want. Establish a welcoming atmosphere that brings people together in the community. Possibly adding greeters at the co-op by member volunteers.
    2. Field trips to producers and suppliers' businesses for members and shoppers, promote community as well as member and shopper relationships with the co-op. Presentations on health and eating subjects by members to introduce other members and shoppers. Cooking demos. Lending library of tools and resources by members., Monthly/quarterly talent presentations by members and shoppers.
    3. Networking opportunities between co-op members and shoppers.
    4. Try to develop a listing of our members and shopper abilities so can call on them for advice, counsel or possibly assistance in the trades or other skills or areas of expertise to share with co-op members and shoppers.
  9. Motion, Seconded Carried for Adjournment at 8:PM.

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Submitted by Secretary Anita Levin