back to minutes index

HARVEST COOP MARKETS
5 FEBRUARY 2007
PUBLIC MINUTES

Minutes Taken by Luke Lehner

Attending: Jessie Myszka, Amy Cotter, Mike St. Clair (GM), Stephen Clifford, Jessie Grogan, Betsy Adams

Excused: John Mascia

Guests: Kathy Rueben, Dvora Jonas

En Route: Karin Emry

Public Session Begins:
7:05pm

Review Agenda
Placed the Patronage Rebate timeline discussion into the public section.

Public Comments
Dvora: - Schedule of Board meetings on the website is for the year 2006, not 2007.
It has happened on several occasions that product prices at the register do not coincide with prices on specials flyer.
Expressed interest in becoming involved with evening programs/discussion groups – especially on the topic of global warming.
There is a membership social concerns committee every third Thursday of the month.
Asked if it was possible to show a film at the Harvest.
It has happened in the past and can happen again.
Asked if there was an educational committee.
Currently there is not

Approving Minutes
October 30th
Amendments made. Amy moves, Betsy seconded to approve as amended. 3-0-0.

Special Members Meeting November 16th
Amendments made. Jessie M. moves, Amy seconded to approve as amended. 3-0-0.

December 4th
Amendments made. Amy moves, Jessie G. seconded to approve as amended. 3-0-0.

GM Report Public
Samples of New Uniforms Ready
Staff receive 2 apron/shirts and two more in the summer. Costs of heavier material uniforms will be split with employee.
Some customers and members have shown interest to purchase the new uniforms, and the process of doing so is being looked into.

Catering Business
Developed a menu and brochure. All items on it are from the deli kitchen
First job was with Harvard University. Catered lunch for 12 people and was successful.
Began a catering email, catering@harvest.coop, through which orders can be placed online.

JP Façade Improvements – Working hard on the new improvements. Financed in part through participation in a City of Boston match program.

Charity Efforts
Cambridge food bank.
Food for Free.

Safety Committee – This started last summer. A check list has been created for both stores of the risk assessment. It was created by the associates and is checked by the associates.

Coop Board Leadership Training
Board members that attended, Steve Clifford and Jessie Grogan, expressed that overall the training was highly beneficial.

Fiscal Year Change Authority
Questions raised
Would the Board prefer the GM to make the change to the last day of the fiscal year or not?
Is there any reason why it shouldn’t be in the GM’s hands to make the change?
Amended resolution: The fiscal year of the corporation shall be determined by the Co-op management to be consistent with like industry businesses and/or other quarter-end calendars to be determined.
Karin Moves, Amy seconded. 6-0-0.

Patronage Rebate Update
In the transitional process, Board realized the charter was in need to be revisited.
David is currently in the process of making changes to the by-laws.
There are 2 changes to the proposed resolution. as included in the Board packet.
Amended resolution: All general member discounts will end at the end of Fiscal Year 2007. Beginning the next day, member purchases will be tracked and rewarded as part of a patronage rebate program. Equity members may request an additional 2% discount until July 31, 2007. Annual members can request to receive and additional 2% discount for the duration of their membership or until July 31, 2007, whichever is earlier.
Karin moves, Steve seconded. 6-0-0.

Public Session ends:
8:20pm