1. Roll Call
Board Members Present:Gerard Adams, Kolene Allen, Tom Cary, Danielle Cenci, Nathan Creswick, Paul DeLeeuw, Elizabeth Listello, Georgia Monroe, and Tara Simmons
Others Present: Sharon Schierbeek, Pierre Schierbeek, Lisa Nelson, Kris VanHaitsma, Veronica Phelps, Jacinda Swanson, Christina Radisauskas, Michael Hedrick, Rob Schwartz, Nancy Jones-Keiser, Julie Stivers, Amy Neis, Jill Johnson
2.Intro and Welcome
Jerry Adams welcomed everyone for coming.
3.Financial Report
Tara Simmons directed attendees to look over the Financial Report that was handed out at the beginning of the meeting. She then quickly reviewed the report, which showed an ending balance as of February
4.Changes to the Bylaws
Jerry explained that the Board wanted to remove the position of Chief Information Officer from being a Board position from the Bylaws.
Motion made by Elizabeth Listello to remove the Chief Information Officer Board member position from the Bylaws. Motion seconded by Director Monroe. Motion carried.
Jill Johnson questioned the Board on whether or not a quorum existed at the meeting. Jerry and Paul both stated we only need 10% of the voting membership to be in attendance, not general membership. They restated that over 10% of voting membership was in attendance and that changes to the Bylaws was acceptable.
5.Announcements
Creation of three paid positions and surcharge increase (from 2 to 5%): Georgia explained that we have had three volunteers in the Co-op who have been putting in excessive amounts of hours to keep the Co-op running smoothly, and that their roles in the Co-op needed to be made paid positions. Those three positions are Chief Executive Officer, Chief Information Officer, and Chief Operating Officer. Gerard Adams is taking over as CEO, Paul DeLeeuw is the CIO, and Tara Simmons is the COO. Their pay will be 10% of the net income every month. The Board decided that as paid positions, those three people had to step down from the Board. Those paid positions will be held accountable by the Board.
Sharon Schierbeek asked how much time each of them put in per month. Gerard stated he estimates 15–20 hours per month, if not more, on average. Tara stated that she has been keeping track and that in the last 2.5 weeks she has put in 20 hours and planned on putting in 10 more hours in the next week. Paul added that it is a significant amount of time, and that it can vary between the weeks, with Pickup weeks being much busier for everyone.
Sharon Schierbeek (S&S Lamb) asked what prompted the paid positions, especially with the hard economic times. Paul said that as membership and product sales increase, that our needs are increasing, from volunteers to square footage. He believes that we have a solution that people are looking for in these economic times (local, sustainable), and that now that we have paid positions, we can refill these positions more easily than try to get a volunteer to step in. Jerry also stated that now that these three positions are paid, those three people will work even harder to grow the Co-op because they have a financial interest, and that the biggest financial benefit is still to the Producers.
Jill Johnson (Crane Dance) thanked the people in the room for creating something amazing. She also stated that the Co-op has become an important part of her business. However, she also said that due to the increase in the surcharge, that she would have to increase her prices, and that too many changes are happening all at once, siting paid positions, surcharge increases, and Board size reduction from 9 to 7 members.
Sharon asked what the members think of the surcharge increase. Jerry said that he doesn't see that as a concern, and that many members have said that the 2% charge is insignificant and that it is not a concern.
Jerry reiterated that all of these changes are happening so that the Co-op will expand faster and everyone will benefit.
Director Beth asked if we could review the surcharge increase at the next meeting. Georgia recommended that we should definitely look at it again at the next meeting on March 10.
Pierre Schierbeek (S&S Lamb) asked that if we review the decision to increase the surcharge, that we need to poll the Producers before the decision is made. Jerry said that he has spoken to many producers and let most of them know, and that Nathan has spoken to them as well. He also stated that we are putting the information out on the Minutes and Agendas as soon as it becomes available and that it is the responsibility of all our members to be proactive and keep up with the meetings.
Nancy Jones-Keiser (Agriculture and Health) said that if we are going to have 3 paid positions so suddenly, that the Co-op is not a Co-op, but a “farce”. Jerry stated that we have had 2 meetings about this and that you have to look at the minutes online. Nancy said that she is going to have to raise her prices to absorb the 3% increase. She then said that we need to get more consumers, and Jerry agreed. Jerry believes that the 3 paid positions are the first step to reaching this goal.
Tom Cary said that the increase is needed because our operating costs are going up and that the Co-op needs to find a way to cover these costs and grow. As Board members, we had to come up with a solution to this problem, and that those with concerns over the increase should suggest alternative methods to cover those expenses.
Creation of an Alternate Board member:
Georgia said that we reduced the Board size from 9 to 7 members, and added one alternate member. This alternate will come to all the Board meetings and be up on all the workings of the Board, and will be there in case we lose a Board Member.
6.Nominations
Georgia then made sure everyone had a voting ballot and explained that voting members were to vote for 3 people. The person who comes in 4th place will be the Alternate Board member, while the top 3 take the Board positions.
Georgia then asked if anyone would like to be on the ballot or nominate someone else to be on the ballot. No one spoke.
7.Nominees Speak
Georgia Monroe, Christina Radisauskas, Kris VanHaitsma, Lisa Nelson, and Amy Neis spoke.
8.Vote
Voting members of the Co-op voted.
9.Tallying of Votes
Jerry and Nathan tallied the votes. The top 3 votes went to Georgia Monroe, Lisa Nelson, and Kris VanHaitsma. Christina Radisauskas and Amy Neis tied for 4th place. They left the room and a show of hands voted Christina into the Alternate position.
10.Public Comments
Georgia reminded everyone that the new Board needs to be at the next Board meeting on Tuesday, March 10 at 6:30 pm.
Julie Stivers said that she could help the Board get their non-profit status.
11.Next Meeting
March 10, 2009 at 6:30 pm
Meeting adjourned at 7:50 pm.