DUCK SOUP COOP
General Membership Meeting
November 14, 2004
Member Units Present: 16
The meeting was opened by President Kathy Stelford at 5:07pm. Upon invitation of the president, all present introduced themselves.
President's Report
Stelford reported on the Long-term Planning Committee Meeting held in January 2004. There was a unanimous agreement on a vision of selling cruelty free and organic items. the committee asked Manager James to procure the "carrot" OPEN sign that is now in place.
Manager's Report
Manager Peggy James talked about the slogan contest, asking that all look at a list of suggested slogans and choose those that are most appealing. One slogan will be used on signage, and other for advertising. The Board will make a final selection. One winner will receive a $50.00 gift certificate.
In August, 2004 James completed 14 years as Manager. Some years were tenuous. Last year, however was good enough to anticipate 5% growth. This year has been very positive with 13% growth in sales to date. The proposed budget for 2005 anticipates 10% growth. It is a forward looking budget which anticipates a reset/physical plant improvements and possible increase to staff.
The Ad Hoc committee formed out of the Long-range Planning Meeting of January has begun consideration of remodeling and reset ideas. Cynthia Nelson (committee convener), Peggy James and Loreen Stravers have visited other cooperatives to view layout and product mix. From these visits it was determined that Duck Soup occupies a very satisfactory space but we need to use it to the maximum.
Manager James invited all members to talk to her or any board member at any time. As a cooperative business communication if crucial. Input of staff a member workers has been extremely valuable, but all member ideas are needed.
Assistant Manager's Report
Assistant Manager Loreen Stravers noted that we have over 50 suppliers and distributors. She orders from about a dozen each week. At this time the main supplier is United Natural Foods Incorporated.
Staff and member workers do a huge job and the challenge increases as sales increase. This, of course, means that ordering and space considerations are continuing issues. Ongoing changes with order and delivery schedules call for regular adjustments in routines/procedures.
Keeping abreast of vendor sales is of significant importance to the Coop's bottom line as is overseeing product waste/shrink. Assistant Manager Stravers spends time evaluating new products and investigating product requests. The importance of service orientation was noted. Stravers and James attended Expo East (a natural foods exposition in Washington DC) in October. Loreen invited all members to offer suggestions, comments, and product critique.
Treasurer's Report
Treasurer, John Naples, noted that we have, to date, been experiencing a very successful year, but noted that we must be aware that new stores coming to the are might impact us at any time. He encouraged members to help increase membership by inviting friends to join. He further encouraged members to spend one more dollar than planned each shopping visit.
Naples presented the proposed budget form 2005, a budget which he characterized as hopeful, though very possible. (The budget projects an increase in sales of 10% over 2004 sales. T. Nezrick moved and D. Grych seconded a motion to accept the budget as presented. The motion passed.
R. Moremon (member worker in charge of new member orientation) noted an apparent resurgence of interest in membership. James noted that compared to years past we are getting more active and interested members (many new working members). Moremon opined that interest in a healthy lifestyle and the coop ideal is becoming more a part of mainstream thinking. James suggested that people may be turning toward cooperative values in response to corporate behaviors/misbehaviors in the recent past.
Committee Reports
Outreach Committe
Committee convener Tania Nezrick reported that Duck Soup was represented at the NIU Employee Wellness Fair, the Renewable Energy Fair in Oregon Illinois, and in November will have a display window at DeKalb Public Library
Ad Hoc Committee
Committee convener Cynthia Nelson reported that the committee has been discussing possibilities for sprucing up the exterior of the building (neon signage, possible awning), has responded to suggestions from staff by organizing lighting improvements and an all day general maintenance work day. She noted that the task at hand is to set priorities regarding an interior "reset". She invited members in attendance to offer ideas to the committee regarding said reset.
Area expansions related to the following were noted:
expansion of dairy to include more international cheeses
reinstitution of a"grab and go"/prepared food deli (there was a brief discussion of pursuing a "consignment deli" operation)
increase in frozen "convenience foods" offerings
addition of wines/beers?
Nelson noted that her vision for Duck Soup included POS scanning registers and new checkout stands/configuration. James reported on a Coop in Wisconsin that had considerably less sales floor space than Duck Soup, but was configured in such a way as to allow adequate product to support twice Duck Soup's annual sales. James once again encouraged members to share their dreams for the coop with staff and/or committee members.
Board Elections
Incumbent Board members Kathy Stelford, Tania Nezrick, Ruth Peterson and Mary Helen Polensky volunteered to continue their positions on the Board. The election was opened to nominations from the floor. No nominations were forthcoming. L. Stravers moved, J. Neale seconded to accept the continued Board service of those 4 candidates. Motion passed.
The meeting adjourned at 6:05pm
Ruth Peterson, Secretary