MC Meeting Minutes Tuesday June 26, 2007
Meeting opened: 7pm

Attendance
MC: Elmarie Pareezer, Paula Quigley, Rick Shaw, Vivienne Murray
Others: Stevie Bee, Sarah Cook, Gabrielle Nicholson, Cecilia Jensen, Lisa McIntosh, Wendy Dyson, Dominika Grossy (from 7:40pm)
Apologies: None
Chair: Elmarie Minutes: Rick

Confirmation of previous minutes
That the May 2007 meeting minutes be accepted. CARRIED by consensus
Business arising from previous minutes None

Membership
• New members (75)
That members #4338-4412 be accepted. CARRIED by consensus
The list of new members is now being circulated to MC by e-mail prior to the meeting.
• Resignations (1)
That the resignation be accepted and the member's share be refunded.
CARRIED by consensus
• Forfeitures (0)

Reports
TREASURER – Paula
• Report tabled. Loss of $1,618.52 in May 07 due to overordering. Less stock is to be ordered in June, in preparation for end of FY stocktaking. Gab and David Mansfield have tidied up the balance sheet. With Sarah's departure, Paula will work with Gab/Lisa/David for the next Treasurer's Report.
That the Treasurer's Report be accepted. CARRIED by consensus

MANAGER – Sarah
• Report tabled. Sarah listed on-going projects, which has been e-mailed to
MC and staff. One item on the list, Negotiated Discounts for members producing
foodstuffs for sale at AH, has been agreed by MC.
That the Manager's Report accepted. CARRIED by consensus

STAFF MEETING
Refer to website for minutes

STOCK (Groceries) – Lisa
• Report presented.
• Lisa listed new products, including two member-produced products that are selling well.
• Discontinued products: Delicious Dips, some spices and magnetic laundry balls have all been discontinued because of very poor sales.
• May Stock Loss of $66.70, mainly bread.
• Lisa is preparing for stocktake.
• Stevie and Lisa are working on the nutritional info panels. Elmarie suggested including the info in an e-news.
That the Stock Coordinator's Report accepted. CARRIED by consensus

Elmarie suggested including information in the next e-News about the size of some the packaging we receive in the light of corn chips and corn flakes being supplied in small packets that are not as environmentally-friendly as our other bulk goods.

PRODUCTS FORUM MEETING
A members' survey developed by Elmarie was distributed and discussed. Rick suggested a similar survey or focus group of ex-shoppers.

Current Matters


MANAGER'S RESIGNATION
• Sarah has decided not to stand for the MC as she finds some members of the current MC frustrating to work with, and feels that the MC suffers from a lack of communication and forward drive.

RECRUITMENT OF TWO SHOP COORDINATORS
• Three candidates interviewed, David H. and Rebecca A. by Sarah, Paula and Vivienne, Monica B. by Sarah, Paula and Rick.
• Consensus reached on employing Monica Baumann.
• Vivienne, Paula and Sarah differed on the other candidate.
• In accordance with AH's Recruitment Policy (ref. Paragraph 6), Sarah, Paula and Vivienne presented (verbal) reports to MC. Vivienne and Paula agreed that both candidates were suitable.
• Final decision resides with MC (ref. Paragraph 6). In this case, Rick and Elmarie adjudicate. Elmarie, having reviewed both CVs and listened to the discussion,
supported the majority opinion. Rick expressed disappointment that Vivienne, Paula and Sarah were unable to come to a consensus, and if had to choose would support the majority opinion.
• David Harris is the successful candidate.
• Sarah will contact all three candidates, and will invite Rebecca to respond to future ads, noting that Monica's initial application was unsuccessful.
• MC thanked Sarah, Vivienne and Paula for their reports and the respectful tone of the discussion.

RECRUITMENT OF CO-OP MANAGER
• Two candidates interviewed Sunday June 24 by Rick, Gab and Vivienne. (Third, late, application has subsequently been received.)
• Rick reported that the selection panel is still deliberating and will report to MC ASAP. He has contacted applicants to update with progress.
• After observing the discussion on the staff position, Gab expressed discomfort with remaining on the selection panel because it involved “a battle of wills”, and that she did not “want the responsibility”. Rick expressed disappointment at this because the panel had yet to meet to discuss candidates, and that working through different perspectives was a healthy and natural part of the process. Rick thought the selection panel had worked well together, and had enjoyed working with Gab.
• Gab and Elmarie will meet Wed. June 27 to discuss Gab's concerns, and Elmarie and Rick will then liaise on a way forward.

THE MURAL
• This is covered in Sarah's project summary.

BACK FENCE
• The back fence was blown over in the recent storms. The real estate agent has arranged repairs.

MEMBERS' SURVEY
• Elmarie is seeking feedback on the survey, and will e-mail it again.

Correspondence
• No correspondence tabled, other than what is specifically mentioned elsewhere in these minutes.

General Business
• Newtown Market and Sustainability Festival
Sarah and Elmarie met with Justine Langford to discuss being involved in a marketplace in Newtown square and a proposed Sustainability Festival. AH options are a “fete stall” or a “marquee”. Elmarie will contact Seamus and pursue options. Vivienne suggested garnering member support to organise this.
• Taste for Change
OXFAM has invited AH to donate a voucher to be auctioned. Proceeds to go to a number of causes which Elmarie described. MC resolved by consensus to do this. Elmarie will contact the relevant person. Stevie suggested the budget should include an item for such donations.
• Dom's Food Grant Application
The date for this has passed. MC apologised for not responding in time.
• St Stephens
AH through Sarah has been approached to participate in a short discussion at a service art St Stephens. Vivienne will follow up on this.
• No Manager
Gab and Lisa think AH will be OKAY without a manager for a while.
• Staff Support
Rick expressed some concern that staff are adequately supported, in particular, Gab as bookkeeper prepares the payroll, and there is at this stage no alternative if she was unavailable. MC will consider ways to address this.

Meeting closed: 9:25 pm