Minutes of the 8-16-2010 Boad Meeting

Medford Food Co-op
Minutes of August 16, 2010
Board of Directors Meeting
225 W Main St., Medford

Call to order: 6:04 PM
In attendance: Jim Sims, John Miele, Donna Kessler, Absent: Tommy Larson and Augustine Colebrook.

Old Business:
Our fundraising met the goal of $500,000 in Member-Owner loans. Founding Sponsorships have raised $15,000. New member shares total $63,000.

The Board paid CDS Consultant, Pete Davis, $3,003 for the market study the original Co-op Board hired him to perform.

Scope of work to be performed under our lease with Batzer Construction was finalized. Construction is set to begin the first week of September. There will be a public “turning of the spade” ceremony at that time. It was agreed to invite the original co-op Board to attend.

Jim S. met with Richard Katz, General Manager of the Ashland food Co-op concerning our request that ACF work with us through the transition phase to open our store, including the selection of a General Manager. ACF agreed to assist us in these regards and we are most appreciative of their assistance.

The Board agreed to a two tier Co-op Founding Sponsorship program. Major Founding Sponsors will get their names on the Store’s Honor Board in large font with preferred product placement for business, in-store advertising and link to our Web site. $1,000 Founding Sponsors will receive their names at the top of the in-store Honor Board in smaller lettering and a link to our Web site.

New Business:
The Board discussed the hiring process for General Manager. It was agreed that we would contact the Cooperative Development service (CDS) and advertise the position as widely as necessary.

New fundraising was discussed. Our budget calls for raising $10,000 this year in social fundraisers as well as adding additional sponsors. Community events considered were a private showing of the Academy award nominated film: “Food Inc.” Also considered was a “Blues and Chews” event with a silent auction. We need to find some help to organize these events.

Expanding the Membership Committee was discussed. Co-op membership is growing and we need to expand the committee to keep accurate track of everyone.

The Board voted unanimously to hire Minneapolis Co-op CDS consultant P.J. Hoffman to perform store design services for interior and exterior layout, equipment selection and placement, and interior design and inventory placement.

Adjournment:
The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 PM