DUCK SOUP COOP
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
LONG-RANGE PLANNING MEETING
January 20, 2007
Present: Peggy James, Judy Krajewski, Ann Mueller, Cynthia Nelson, Tania Nezrick, Ruth Peterson, Mary Helen Polensky, Patty Ruback, Loreen Stravers
The meeting was called to order by President Nelson at 1:15 p.m.
James reminded the board that the budget called for a 33% margin. This was achieved. There was a 13% increase in sales over the last budget year with $850,000 in gross sales.
Several variances from the budget for 2006 are as follows:
We have a good bottom line to celebrate.
Questions asked about which payment method is best for DSC. James explained that checks cost 11 cents per transaction. Credit cards have a transaction cost plus 2% of the purchase. Debit cards vary a great deal. In general, amounts under $50.00 cost us less via credit transactions than debit cards transactions.
The following results were recorded following written suggestions from all board members present. Later in the meeting we looked at all the results and made suggestions as to which ideas should be the agenda items for the coming year. These will be listed below the original listing in each case.
Review job descriptions
Review insurance options for employees
Revise classification levels for all employees
Look at retirement plan options
Provide nametag identifications for employees
EMPHASES AGREED UPON FOR THE COMING YEAR
· Review job descriptions and classifications
· Investigate insurance and retirement options for staff
(Nametags for employees will be facilitated by manager.)
Provide for training in the area of financial statements and general finances for the board including understanding of margins and markups.
Hold monthly meetings with James to help oversee reset-related expenses and needs.
Review employee pay scale. (Currently we are about average for pay scale of cooperatives with consideration of regional difference.)
Keep up the good work.
EMPHASES AGREED UPON FOR THE COMING YEAR
· Provide for financials training for the committee and the entire board
· Review staff salaries
· Plan periodic meetings to oversee reset, and as needed afterward.
(The suggestion was made that perhaps membership could also
be invited to participate in financials training at some time.)
Review by-laws and consider writing standing rules. This may necessitate revising the Owner’s Manual.
Encourage more involvement of members in board committees.
Advertise more.
Establish board-training procedures.
EMPHASES AGREED UPON FOR THE COMING YEAR
· Review by-laws and consider writing standing rules. (Revise Owner’s Manual?)
· Review and identify orientation procedure and content for new board members.
· Work with the Finance Committee on board training.
· Provide information on parliamentary procedure - Robert’s Rules of Order.
Discuss membership options such as a low-income option, scholarships, sponsorships, etc.
Revise the membership brochure.
Work with outreach on a membership drive.
Plan visits to Chicago – vegan restaurants, etc.
Organize, solicit, and inspire, members to work on the reset.
Review and revise Owner’s Manual as needed.
Survey members to get input and new ideas.
EMPHASES AGREED UPON FOR THE COMING YEAR
· Discuss membership options with suggestions for funding for reduced payment.
· Revise membership brochure.
· Plan Chicago visits with the outreach committee
· Manage volunteer workers schedule for the reset. (Emily will be staff for this.)
· Plan periodic short surveys in the store to stimulate member input.
Develop workable strategy for in store tasting, sampling.
Increase education in community outreach.
Work on newsletter and promote website.
Promote and plan for seminars and speakers.
Plan and supervise six events during the year.
Coordinate all events with the staff.
Produce a three-fold brochure.
Revisit the DSC cookbook.
Provide more visible outreach.
Utilize the advertising board.
EMPHASES AGREED UPON FOR THE YEAR
· Plan for and execute at least six events during the year, coordinated with the staff.
· Consider the possibility of rewards for members who do extensive work on these events.
Assume every BOD member will help with reset and POS.
Revisit member suggestions from GMM.
Involve members in reset.
Encourage member involvement in committees.
EMPHASES AGREED UPON FOR THE YEAR
Since most of these are spoken to in the committee emphases, there are no specific emphases listed. The suggestions from GMM will be considered as feasible by the committees in which they are applicable.
Nelson suggested the following organization for the committees:
OUTREACH AND MEMBERSHIP - Convener – July Krajewski.
Members: Patty Ruback and Tania Nezrick
Staff: Loreen Stravers plus Emily as a further resource.
These two committees will meet together until the reset is finished. A decision will be made after that about separating the two committees.
PERSONNEL – Convener – Ruth Peterson
Member – Ann Mueller
Staff – Peggy James
First meeting will be Wednesday, January 24 at 3 p.m.
FINANCE - Convener – Mary Helen Polensky
Member – Cynthia Nelson
Staff – Peggy James
First meeting will be Wednesday, February 7 at noon.
AD HOC COMMITTEE – Convener – Cynthia Nelson
Next meeting will be Thursday, January 25 at 5 p.m.
NEXT MEETING OF THE BOARD – Monday, February 19 at 7 p.m.
(Executive committee at 6:30 p.m.)
The meeting was informally adjourned at 3:30 p.m.
Ruth Peterson
Secretary