Harvest Co-op

Harvest Co-op Supermarkets
Board of Directors Meeting
August 4, 2003

Present: Ed Barsamian (general manager), Jeff Rosenblum (secretary), Andrew Weaver (treasurer), Eliza Strode (vice president), Elisa Alonso, Betsy Adams, and Sujatha Byraven (board members), Jon Roussel (member), David Hermann and Dawn Olsson (staff)

Absent: Mike Wiecek and Melitta Jakab

Revisions to the Agenda: Mike is absent so there will be no President's Report

Eyes and Ears of the Board
Elisa reported that a car was towed in the Cambridge parking lot that didn't have a sticker and the customer was very upset. She asked whether we can put up more signage. There was a discussion that followed whether the signage was clear enough. Betsy said that she loves the open window in the JP store, but watch for fruit that drops down the front. She also suggested cleaning the ledge next to the table in the café. Sujatha reported that the conveyer belt in first check outline in Cambridge hasn't been working for a month. Ed replied that part is ordered. Eliza asked why the store was using Atlantic Spice rather than Frontier, which is a cooperative company. Ed answered pricing - some items are as much as 9 or 15 dollars a pound less with no difference in quality.

Committee Reports
MSSC:
- Recycling - Jeff reported that the recycling changes are coming together well in Cambridge and that there is a plan to work with Libby's Liquor to share the baler and trash. This is cost neutral for Harvest, but increases the store's recycling capability.
- Community Fund - The committee would like to have something in place for annual meeting to disperse the funds that have accumulated.
- Survey - 150 shopper surveys were completed in Cambridge and 100 in JP. A member worker is helping Jeff compile the data. Jeff has gotten feedback that members were interested in taking survey, but were discouraged by the length. Jeff recommends that the board do shorter survey in the fall, which would get a larger sample and give shoppers a chance to participate.
- Member Party - Next party is planned for August 11 in Cambridge and will alternate to JP in September. October will be skipped for the annual meeting. These parties give members an opportunity to see each other, meet with staff and the board. Dave commented that member work would be more interesting than a party and suggested there be opportunities for one time member work on special projects. Jeff replied that the infrastructure is already there for member work and that sometimes adding additional opportunities is staff time prohibitive. The member parties are an opportunity with minimal impact on staff.
- Board Staff Meeting - Jeff and Elisa are attending a staff meeting in the near future.
- Information boards in checkouts - The committee talked about putting those back up for info about specials, member information, etc.

NASRO Health Care Proposal - Elisa
Eliza requested a written proposal for the next board packet. Elisa will email out as soon as she compiles and this matter will be revisited at the next board meeting.

Nominations and Elections - Betsy
Betsy reported that there were about eight candidates recruited at the open houses, mostly from JP

Planning Committee: Eliza understands that Mike has talked with Phil about reviving the Planning Committee. Melitta is also on the committee and she will return in September. Eliza will attend the meetings for a few more months.

General Manager's report - Ed Barsamian
- The recycling plan is not fully implemented, but getting there
- The past week there's been a movie being filmed in the store
- Purchased new floor buffing machine for staff to use and cancelled floor-cleaning service
- Paul Souza is the new produce manager who has replaced Alfie
- The JP reset will be done by the end of August

There was a discussion of recycling and whether the new program should be announced. Jeff suggested to get it started and put something in the newsletter after it was fully operational.

Board Elections
Jeff asked if any of the staff and members attending the meeting has questions about running for the board. Eliza said that according to the by-laws three staff members are allowed to be on the board at one time. She added that there has recently been a good article form Co-op Grocer about balancing board and staff responsibilities. Dave asked about the deadlines for submitting paperwork. The information and deadlines are in the board packet, which can be picked up at the front of the store.

Action Items:
- Elisa will email a written NASRO proposal.

[Board moved into executive session at this time]

[Minutes submitted by Natalie C. Jaeger]