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Duck Soup Coop NOTES FROM THE GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING DECEMBER 5, 2011 |
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MANAGER’S REPORT
The past year has presented challenges including the economy and two breakdowns in refrigeration equipment. We do have a small manageable loan liability. The staff is stable. We are able to persevere.
Manager’s Comments: 2012 has been designated the international year of cooperatives—and it seems appropriate. Cooperative were born in the hard times of the industrial revolution, they survived and thrived during this country’s “great depression” and there is good reason to believe that this different model of economics – call it cooperativism – may be a path out of our current economic crisis.
READING FROM: Entrepreneurs of Cooperativism by Jonathan Rowe Here in the US, the great depression created woes for the working class, who through no fault of their own were cast into poverty. California in the early 1930’s was as bleak as it was elsewhere in the United States. More than a quarter of the breadwinners in the state were out of work. There were no federal or state relief programs; nothing but some local charity. Although the financial system experienced a meltdown, farmers still were producing; more than they could sell. Fruit rotted on trees, vegetables in the fields. Factories sat empty. Machinery was idle. Old trucks were in side lots, needing only a little repair. Workers were needed, and workers needed work. In the spring of 1932, In Compton California, an unemployed WWI veteran walked out to the farms that surrounded los Angeles. He offered his labor in return for a sack of vegetables, and that evening he returned with more than his family needed. The next day a neighbor went out with him to the fields. Within two months 500 families were members of the Unemployed Cooperative Relief Organization. That group became one of 45 units in an organization that served the needs of some 150,000 people. The UCRO was just one organization in one city. Groups like it ultimately involved more than 1.3 million people, in more than 30 states. It happened spontaneously without experts or blueprints.
The word crisis can be defined as both danger and opportunity. The cooperative model has shown itself to be an opportunity not only in prosperous times, but especially in the dangerous hard times— While this world is experiencing armed revolts, strikes, and mass actions in the streets, cooperators the world over are quietly building the peoples businesses. While major banks are crashing and burning, credit unions are quietly serving the needs of their membership by keeping safe their money. The cooperative model seems to defy what economists call “economic law”—that people work only for personal gain and in response to schemes of personal incentive and reward. It is a model that defies being labeled either capitalism or socialism. Cooperatives exist to serve their members and are governed by the values of the collective membership. The principles and values of cooperativism provide a positive workable alternative to competitive capitalism. Cooperatives are the foundation of economic democracy. Cooperatives are about democratizing power, and creating environmentally sustainable economies. I think that social and economic democracy are needed today for the same reason that political democracy is necessary—to restrain the abuse of unequal power…..
ASSISTANT MANAGER’S REPORT Since there has been less money to work with, Loreen Stravers and Manager Peggy James have made a budget for ordering merchandise. It has been working well.
DSC felt a slowdown in June because besides being a traditionally slow month, UNFI initiated a large price raise and the Hy-Vee store opened with a significant organic line of foods. Some suppliers have been feeling the effects of the slower economy and do not have as much in stock as they did before. It seems that the gluten-free market has reached saturation.
On the positive side, working with the staff and the monthly/weekly workers has been very rewarding.
If any members have questions or needs, Loreen is eager to hear from them.
A member remarked that she feels the shelves have always been well stocked and complimented Loreen on how well she has handled the more stringent circumstances.
FINANCE COMMITTEE Mary Helen Polensky brought the Finance Committee report. She reported that the coop has lost some money this last year but the situation is not severe. We need more people as members and shoppers.
The assumptions for the preparation of the budget include a decrease in sales but it is very similar to 2011.
After some discussion, the budget was approved upon a motion by Cynthia Nelson and a second by John Naples.
BOARD ELECTION Ruth Peterson and Mary Helen Polensky, incumbent board members, were presented as nominees for another term on the board for the class of 2014. Nominated from the floor were Lynn Fazekas and Carl Simonson. A vote by secret ballot resulted in the election of Ruth Peterson and Mary Helen Polensky to the board. There were 18 votes cast.
GENERAL DISCUSSION Member and staff person, Joan Coghlan, remarked that she is greatly appreciative of the member workers who are so responsible and helpful. Other member comments included a compliment on what a capable, hard-working and effective manager that Peggy James continues to be. A staff person and member remarked that it is a good place to work and we have a mission that we have sustained. However, we need to keep people thinking about the coop and promote the store whenever we can.
Member Carl Simonson suggested that there are business propositions that might provide opportunities for the coop to work with to the benefit of both. Comments from members suggested that the cooperative by-laws specifically state that such arrangements are not to be made. After several comments there was a call to close the discussion. It passed by a large majority.
The Outreach Committee reported their work for the year: February – School Outreach by Peggy James on healthy eating habits February – Presence at UU Winter Market March – potluck meal for members April – presence at Birth Matters event May – Springamajig with free lunch for members and music specials June – picnic for members at Afton Forest Preserve October – Fall Fest for members with special sales and other activities December – Free cookies during the week of December 18 with crafters showcasing their wares
The Books for Schools initiative providing healthy nutrition themed books for children The Ask Jo events which include walk through the store information opportunities and tastings using DSC products.
All Veg Delights, a new vendor making sandwiches and cookies for carry-out. Mindful Delights a new baker is providing gluten-free treats for sale.
OPEN DISCUSSION ON COMMUNITY OUTREACH
One member asked how we use advertising dollars. Peggy James responded that we use print ads in school programs in programs for community arts and sports programs, on NPR. We do not put ads in newspapers. Some of the budgeted money goes to printing in-store flyers.
Another member questioned if we track shoppers and how they happened to come to Duck Soup. Discussion resulted in suggesting that the checkers keep track of the information they glean as they serve clients.
Peggy James and Loreen Stravers reiterated that suggestions to either of them or to the board are strongly encouraged.
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