Management Collective meeting: Thursday 6th March 2008
From ANU Food Co-op Wiki
The ANU Food Co-op
Board Meeting – Minutes
Kingsley Street, Acton (opposite Toad Hall). Telephone: (02) 6257 1186
Thursday 6 March 2008 6.30 pm start
Contents |
Attendees
Mark Alwast (Manager), Greg Carman (Treasurer), Cedar Newton, Alan Jeynes, Heather Boyer, Tessa McDonald, Kate McCarthy (Secretary).
Apologies
Valli Rao, Michael Wilson.
1) Previous Minutes
The minutes of the January 29, 2008 meeting of the Cooperative Board accepted.
2) Matters Arising from Previous Minutes
Alan was officially welcomed to the Board.
3) Correspondence in/out
No correspondence reported.
4) Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer circulated the statement of Food Co-op’s financial position as at the meeting date (March 6th).
5) Manager’s Report
Everything seems to be running okay. Other elements of Mark’s report listed for general business below.
6) General Business
i. New manager appointments
Two candidates nominated for the co-management (Sarah Aylott, and Dominika Grossy) by the employment working group. Motion to approve these candidates was forwarded by Greg Carman, and seconded by Kate McCarthy, and passed unanimously. Sarah to start immediately (next week) and Dominika to start in two months or so (pending arrangements with current employer), which is when Mark will be finishing up. Both candidates seem highly suited to the job…
ii. New manager hours, starting next week
The new transition roster for managers will begin next week, with each manager (Mark and Sarah) doing roughly 28 hours. Managers will have overlap time, to allow for training.
iii. New donations policy
Following discussion about requests being made by community groups for donations from Co-op (e.g. for the recent Convergence), the Board approved a sum of $120 annually, available for in-kind donations (starting immediately), for community groups with goals compatible with those of the Co-op. Donations to be made at Managers’ discretion.
iv. Cooking classes discussion
Discussion arising from request to use Co-op kitchen for cooking classes. General agreement that there are potential benefits for the Co-op, but also lots of costs (especially in terms of Manager’s time to organise, but also perhaps insurance, stock loss). Postponed any decision or action on this, to revisit in a few months time, or when the Managers have more time for Co-op development activities.
v. Michael’s purchasing policy
Postponed discussion until Michael can be with us.
vi. Fruit and Veg sales
Mark highlighted problem that losses were being made on F+V, and the need to review markups on F+V bulk orders, consignment and general F+V markup. Agreed to reduce bulk discount on F+V from 10% to 5%, and that Managers should adjust markups on certain F+V to compensate for stock loss.
vii. New shop in North Lyneham
Discussion about new shop, Choku Bai Jo (North Lyneham), what it might mean for Co-op sales, and the potential to buy local, pesticide-free produce in future. No action taken.
viii. Coffee machine
Not in use on a day-to-day basis, although it will be in action at Sunday’s fundraiser. Mark highlighted that we might need to return coffee grinder to its owner in next few months, if not selling many coffees…
ix. Advertising on the members_announce list
No advertising to be done on this list. Greg Carman will ask Sam Wilson to check that email sending privileges are restricted to only those necessary.
x. Coordinator shifts not being filled
Discussion about ways to fill shifts. Proposal to raise vouchers per shift from $15 to $20 agreed to in principle, but postponed until Co-op has a larger buffer (to review in August, after membership renewals for ’08-’09 year). Cedar highlighted that vouchers haven’t increased in 14 years. Brainstormed other ways to make coordinating more attractive (provide food/nibbles, teas etc.). Tessa to email coordinators list to canvas suggestions.
xi. Pricing issues – wrong prices
Mark flagged issue that wrong prices on some items have caused losses to Co-op. Agreed that it is the Manager’s responsibility to ensure that pricing is correct.
7) New members approved
8) Actions from this meeting, to follow up:
- Tessa to email coordinators list, to see if any ways to make coordinating more attractive. - Greg Carman will ask Sam Wilson to check that email sending privileges are restricted to only those necessary. - Greg Carman will review Consignment system and report - Management collective agreed to review coordinators vouchers situation in August.
Next meeting
The next meeting is scheduled for 6.00 pm, Thursday 10 April, at the ANU Food Co-op, Kingsley Street, Acton (opposite Toad Hall).Telephone: (02) 6257 1186. Meeting finished 8.30 pm
