Minutes of the 3-22-2009 Board Meeting

Medford Food Cooperative
Special  Board Meeting
6PM   225 W. Main St.
March 22, 2009

Called to order at 6PM
1. Present:  Jim Sims, John Statler,  John Miele,  Louise Dix, Steven Kraft,  Laurie Hopkinson, Erika Robinson. Absent:  Tommy Larson, Will Taft

2. Speaker Laurie Hopkinson gave a presentation on Fundraising.

Memorable and lucrative events were:

Pear Blossom Festival, Multi Cultural Fair, Farmers Markets,  Mixers such as Terra Firma, Eden Vale,   Grilla Bites events,  Silent Auctions, Co-op-A-Thon, Site Showcases,  general Board elections, and the lease signing.

It was noted that the PR volunteer committee arranged for all events details in coordination with the Outreach Coordinator. This position eventually went to a paid position, held by Laurie Hopkinson.

Other ways to reach out to the masses:

Publications:  Flowstone, Green Pages, Applegater,  Nickel, Mail Tribune,  etc.

Press Releases:  these were specially formatted to be taken seriously by the press. Press being: KOBI, KTVL, Jefferson Public Radio, etc.

Email and Postcards for our membership and other interested parties

Event Posters

Laurie’s final thoughts were that the Co-op and Board should move forward with enthusiasm, TRANSPARENCY, particularly in our banking and business dealings.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

3. After our guest left, discussion was held concerning our past debts – Pete Davis Market Study, $2,500  and $25,000 loan from NCB which has now begun to accrue interest.  Discussed contacting Stuart Reid for deferred payments; and Co-op advice. It was also suggested that we participate in a conference call with Fiddleheads Co-op.

NEW BUSINESS:

4. John Statler located two folks with Marketing interest and background. He agreed to contact them and see about getting them to meet with the Board.

5. It was agreed to start a Round Robin discussion via email to establish a “Statement of Assets” that we will eventually discuss with membership and  the Mail Tribune. ?

6. Site Review Committee stated that Dana Hopkinson would deliver the scope of work on the Foodland site by Weds. or Thurs.

7. It was discussed that UNIFIED Grocers through realty agent Tom Bradley has requested to review our Business Plan, Market study and our “financials”.   It was decided that the Letter of Intent be rescinded until our new Board has had an opportunity to educate themselves more thoroughly.

8. John Miele agreed to verbally advise Tom Bradley that about 40% of the members of the Co-op Board are new in their positions and need more time to get up to speed. It will be several more weeks before we can respond to Unified’s request for Financials and Scope of Work. We plan to submit a revised Letter of Intent when we provide the Financials and Scope of Work

9. John Statler stated that he has two signed Letters of Intent from separate sites- the former Kim’s location and the former Value Village location.  He would like to transfer those to our document storage.

Meeting adjourned at approximately 7:30PM.