“Are we prepared to act on everything before us?”
Declaration of quorum
Commitment to stay on task
Ends reflection: Because of MCM: Owner-members and customers in the Michiana region will be healthier; there will be a local, sustainable food system in Michiana; the local environment & resources will be responsibly shared, protected and restored; there will be a locally-owned cooperative business; there will be a thriving model that inspires other businesses in the Great Lakes region.
Board Commitment:
Increase board communication with members
Engage friends and colleagues regarding Co-ops: Advocate
Board project dreaming--capitalization
Video from CBLD library: “Hunker Dow or Double Down”
Approve or amend agenda
Added to Discussion portion: confirm board meeting dates for Nov and Dec. Also to confirm monitoring reports needed in Nov & Dec
Motion: Approve as amended
Brian moves and Eric seconds
No discussion
Motion passes: 6 in favor; 0 oppose; 0 abstain
Consent agenda
The consent agenda includes the minutes of the September 26, 2016 meeting; Board self-monitoring (R.1-Unity of Control); and GM monitoring (X.1--Financial Condition & Activities).
R.1 and X.1 were moved to the Board Portion of the agenda for further discussion. Minutes remain in the Consent agenda
Motion: Accept Consent Agenda
Eric moves and Robin seconds
No discussion
Motion passes: 6 in favor; 0 oppose; 0 abstain
Board decisions
Add to minutes: the board voted to accepted Brad Weirich’s resignation from the position of General Manager during an Executive Session on September 26, 2016
R.1 Unity of Control.
Motion: Change R.1.2 verbiage replacing “management” with “operational”, providing some clarity that this pertains to store policies not PG Board policies.
Phyllis moves and Eric seconds
No discussion
Motion passes: 6 in favor; 0 oppose; 0 abstain
X.1 Financial Condition & Activities
Motion: Accept with acknowledgement of non-compliance
Robin moves and Phyllis seconds
No discussion
Motion passes: 6 in favor; 0 oppose; 0 abstain
Renewing CDS contract for 2017
Motion: Accept with acknowledgement of non-compliance
Phyllis moves and Eric seconds
Discussion: Annual membership fee is $6,850 ($1,712.50 quarterly).
Motion passes: 6 in favor; 0 oppose; 0 abstain
Discussion
Tabled: Revision to X.1; adding another nested set for an outside audit at defined intervals. (Brian & Brad)
GM Reports: Brad
Finance Report - continues stable looking similar to last month
State of the Market:
Brad has told all buyers that this is not the time for “free buying”
Total loss of freezer. Approximate losses: $2,200 in product and $3,800 in loss of sales.
Miranda talked about “member day.” Also Fall Break for Goshen College and Goshen schools. Hoped to get some new people into the store.
10-2. Apple Cider. Activities for children. Got many new people into the store.
Eric asked how promoted? Facebook, Redpost & people sharing with their friends
Brad is writing out the monthly things that he does, and he is defining who all will do what so that the store is fully operational once Brad has completed his employment with MCM.
Confirmed November board meeting will remain the 28th
Changed December board meeting date to the Monday prior to Christmas the 19th. Per Jose - “I love MCM, but…”
Confirmed no monitoring reports requested for November (none scheduled anyway) and December. Will continue to receive the SOM and financial reports.
Strategic Planning meeting with Owners: Discussion & next steps
Jose shared idea that we come up with three things based on the ideas generated so far, and have people choose one thing.
Eric – do we want a capital campaign. Do we want to become a non-profit?
Russ shared an idea from Ashville, NC
Jose shared a one page proposal based on the charter for Member-Community Engagement, and an “event idea” from Menomonie Market Natural Foods Co-op.
Jose suggested Spring Break “baskets” for families who rely on food from the school during the school year
Eric suggested Deana Cook to lead cooking classes in the back of the store that is “vegan cooking on a budget”.
Jose, Brian, Eric, will meet later this week to pull together the items to present at the Nov 14 meeting
Goal of developing the Owner Engagement Committee
November 14, 7:00-8:00 pm at the Chamber
GM Search update
Acknowledge what was heard related to operations in the first meeting
Acknowledge discussions related to expanding MCM presence in this community. Telling the Coop story
Present suggested strategic items for owners feedback and participation
Update Board Committee Charters:
Non-Profit & Fundraising Committee--Eric, Chair; with Robin, Brian, Brad, José.
Community Committee #<3MCM--José, Chair; with Robin, Miranda
Ad Hoc Owner Forums Strategic Conversations--Brian, Chair; with Brad & Eric (w/Everyone)
Annual Meeting and Board Recruitment--Amanda, Chair; with Phyllis, Rebecca, Brad, Miranda, and an Owner TBD
GM Evaluation & Compensation--Phyllis, Chair; with Amanda
Eric offered to consolidate the charters onto one template and will approve in November
Community Initiative Updates:
Food Council
Farm Lab
Anything else?
New business/comments from the community
No new business/comments from the community
Executive session opens
8:00 pm: Executive session closes
Calendar review
Next meeting is on November 28, 2016
GM monitoring: None
Board monitoring: R.2 Accountability of GM
Looking ahead:
Final owner forum November 14
Motion to adjourn
Motion: Motion to Adjourn Open Board Meeting
Phyllis moves and Eric seconds
No discussion
Motion passes: 6 in favor; 0 oppose; 0 abstain
