Harvest Food Coop
Board Meeting Minutes January 31 2005 DRAFT
Public Session
Present:
Directors: Betsy Adams, Elisa Alonso, Sujatha Byravan,
Amy Cotter, David Hermann, Jessie Myszka, Loren Rogers
(by phone), Jeff Rosenblum, Mike Wiecek
Members: Patricia Lotterman, David Neiman
Staff: Rob Martin (GM)
Review of Agenda
Agenda modified to eliminate reappointment of Jessie,
as research indicates it’s unnecessary.
Discussion on including a portion of the finance report
in the public session, as appropriate, at every board
meeting. Betsy will work to make a portion available
in the future.
Added to agenda discussion of:
Member structure – in private Membership and Social
Concerns Committee (MSCC) discussion
Next Board meeting, given absence of Rob and Jessie – provisionally
decided to keep schedule as is
Board administrator
Board calendar approved with modification of April 9th
Strategy Day – new date needed. To be incorporated
in Jessie’s Planning Committee responsibilities.
Last board meeting public minutes
Last board meeting public minutes approved with the following
modifications:
Jessie’s last name is spelled Myszka
In “Eyes & Ears of the Board” – “is” should
read “has”
President’s report (public)
Board members are invited to join Jeff in a trip to visit
the coop in Putnam VT
Board administrator hiring to be pursued this week by
Jeff & Sujatha
o Sandra should forward applicants to Jeff
o Jeff will forward the job description to the Board
if it is not on the website
o Rob will ensure the job description is on the website
Eyes & Ears
Agenda modified to include:
Board president overview of expectations for the Board
versus the GM
Member presentation and potential discussion of Board-related
concerns
Member presentation: Longtime members are concerned with:
Customer service
Service pales compared with Whole Foods, Trader Joe options
that are nearby. In particular, cashiers attention to
organic vs. conventional produce when checking out – an
apparent lack of caring
Also disturbed that cashiers gossip about customers in
front of others
These issues are not widespread – some staff are
great – but enough of a problem to bring members
to meeting
Management
Concerned that customer service issues outlined above
emanate from the top, reflecting “big dysfunctional
family.”
Signage not designed to follow the store resets
Quality issues, including selective purchasing
Comments (3) offered by members Lotterman & Neiman
in last 6 months received no response – won’t
be providing any more as perceived they’re not
heard: a “black hole.”
Closing comment: if Lotterman & Neiman weren’t
committed members, they wouldn’t put up with it
all.
Discussion:
Jeff offered that the BOD is working to improve member-board
linkage and invited further comments, involvement.
Jessie asked permission for the MSCC to contact Lotterman & Neiman
for more conversation. Lotterman & Neiman granted
permission.
Rob thanked members for their comments and invited further
conversation.
Board observations:
It appears that recycling isn’t happening since
the container was moved outside
Advertised sales prices aren’t being reflected
at the register
Appears that CAP sales are getting attention, sales where
products otherwise wouldn’t
MSCC Report (Public)
Participants were directed to the written report in the
packet provided before the meeting. December and January
meeting minutes will be provided in the February meeting
packet.
Planning Committee Report (Public)
The upcoming Board/Management leadership retreat, scheduled
for Feb. 12th, will focus on developing contingencies
before crisis.
GM Search Update
Betsy reported that the search is moving slowly, and
suggested that help making calls and with other tasks
would help. Elisa volunteered her assistance; another
volunteer is sought.
Committee Assignments/Responsibilities
Retreat will include review of committee descriptions
and definition of their goals. Quick assessment:
Planning committee has been tasked
Finance committee needs another member
Is a GM search committee needed?
MSCC role needs to be defined better
Proposal that Amy function as Board liaison with the
MSCC approved.
Proposal that MSCC consider potential membership restructuring
with goals for program defined before program designed
to meet them. Dave, Elisa, and Amy would work with the
rest of the committee to recommend whether project should
be undertaken or not based on scan of structures and
associated goals at other coops. Prospective project
remanded to MSCC for its comment.
GM Report (Public)
Rob directed participants to the written report included
in the meeting packet. In addition, he offered the
additional report that the produce department is to
be revamped over the next two weeks. To facilitate
this, the area will be closed off next week. Signs
will be posted beginning tomorrow. The Board suggested
that additional communication be sent via the upcoming
February monthly e-newsletter; Rob will pursue.