Get an update on the storefront progress! Come to the Council meeting this Sunday, March 1st at 6pm at the WBNA

Urban Greens Cooperative Council Meeting Minutes 12/7/08,
Start 6:04, End 7:15
Present: Bridget, Cassie, Corey, Deb, Hillary, Kristin, Max, Michelle

1. Share report: Cassie
   We have sold three shares since last report which brings us to 97 or 98
2. Treasurer report: Kristin
   • Checking account = $431.22
   • Share account = $9,728.00
   • We received a check from People’s Power and Light for $20 for referring two customers
3. Membership and Communications Committee report: Kristin in for Craig
   • Have worked on a “Share a Share” program for the holidays – will email our membership list and encourage them to buy a share as a gift for the holidays
   • Would like to use Vertical Response service (VR) in order to do an email blast to this end. VR offers “pay per email blast”, Constant Contact does not – only a monthly fee. It would cost $10.50 for this blast. Council agreed that VR was the best way to go until we have more regular emails to send. Max suggested the email start off with an introduction to the new email format. Others suggested it include a promotion of our next two office hours and of our new facebook page. We should also make a certificate for the gifted shares. Kristin will send out email.
   • Colleen from PC will host a share event at the PC CSA pickup. Kristin and Stephanie are working on a possible event with Brown coworkers. Martha is organizing a Valentines event.
   • Suggestion that we table at the Winter Farmers Market – council agreed we should do next two markets. 13th: Deb and Bridget 11-12:30, Cassie and Max 12:30-2. 20th: Michelle 11-12:30, Kristin 12:30-2. Michelle will call Noah to arrange this.
   • Reformatting of website discussed. Stephanie has created a Facebook page for us. Deb mentions need to translate website into Spanish. Bridget will work on translating website.
4. Storefront Committee Report: Bridget
   • Building update from meeting with Architect and Spurwink: we now have a basement and an elevator – more retail space for us! Bridget emailed new plan to our layout consultant.
   • Sources and Uses document is progressing. Three major questions left:
     1. Equipment budget to be determined by new layout
     2. Leasehold improvements –We are awaiting a plan from contractor that will outline the specifics and the pricing (can be completed once we have new layout).
     3. Rent. Meeting with Kari to discuss lease will be this Thursday.
5. Fundraising
   • We need $1,000 to pay lawyer to write our member loan program. Buying club owes us $700. If they can spare it we will be all set
   • T-Shirts. Max has gotten a price quote for printed T-shirts: $6.50-$8.00. Is awaiting other quotes. Cassie suggests a T-shirt party/event where people bring T-shirts to screen. A T-Shirt taskforce has been assembled – Cassie and Deb will assist Max.
   • We should discuss fundraising in detail at our next council meeting – right now we are on an event by event basis.

Urban Greens Annual Member-Owner Meeting
10/26/08 6:00pm @ WBNA

Attendance: 17 members that included Max, Cassie, Deb, Jim, Michelle, Craig, Noah, Coleen, Bridget, Hillary, Linda, Donald, Stephanie, Kristen, Katherine, Martha, & Corey

Facilitator(s): Cassie and Max

Note Taker: Corey

I. Introductions: 6:00-6:15

A. Everyone introduced themselves, stating their name and current/anticipated coop
involvement.

1. Two new members tonight!!

II. Building Update: 6:15-6:25

A. Physical Space

1. Original Plan: Mixed-use space: 1st floor Commercial; 2nd floor Condos

a. Condo plan fell through due to the ailing housing market

2. Current Plan: Mixed-use space: 1st floor Commercial; 2nd floor Spurwink RI
(non-profit housing for adults with developmental disabilities)

a. Spurwink RI received $1.3 mil grant to create residential units from HUD. WBNA is
selling our master project plans to Spurwink RI to develop the building (upon HUD
approval). Spurwink will then condo-ize the first floor and then sell it back to WBNA
to lease to UG for commercial use.

3. Dates

a. HUD approval of development plans by early November
b. Groundbreaking estimate: End of December
c. Construction schedule: 6-9 months
d. Urban Greens Food Coop Grand Opening estimate: Late Fall 2009

III. Spurwink RI: 6:25-6:35

A. How will we be kept in the project?

1. Actual signed agreement can't happen until HUD approval of project in November.

B. Are we funded?

1. United Way grant for $200,000 will help pay down mortgage for first 3 years, and
keep rent at or below market rate in perpetuity. Will also go towards some
equipment purchase, and to fund a part time Community Outreach Coordinator
position for 2 years.

3. We will have 1 year for fundraising/financing

IV. Committee Descriptions/Reports: 6:35-6:45

A. Storefront Committee (Facilitator: Bridget)

1. Layout was main project for the past year.
2. Next: Price out equipment/capital purchases
3. Q: Will Food be affordable? A discussion on affordability followed:

a. Tier pricing system: Tier 1 would be bread and butter items (necessities) prices at
or below market value; Tier 2 would be items marked at market value; Tier 3
would be market at or above market value.
b. We would provide both Natural and Conventional items.

4. Business Plan - Sources for funding? Cooperative Specific Lenders, Banks, Member
Loans, etc.) We need to hire our laywer soon to set up a Member Loan program.

B. Membership & Communications Committee

1. New Website!
2. Newsletters/Reminders
3. New-Memeber drives/Training for new-member agents
4. Planning for Kick-off event in April
5. Merchandise/Bake sales/other for petty cash

V. Opportunities to Get Involved: 6:50-6:55

A. Being on a Committee
B. Member Drive
1. Member Agent
2. House Parties
3. Events/Tabling/Flyering
C. Office Hours at WBNA
D. Fundraising/Marketing/Events

VI. Council Elections: 6:55-7:05

A. Nominations - By-laws state that when Council is elected, 1/3 of the members come
up for re-election; 2/3 must stay on for training.

1. This year: 5 members left council.
2. Council must be 7-13 people. Council has authority to fill slots if below 7 people.
Council appointed Deb Rosenberg and Hillary Adams to the council in September.
3. 2 additional members have been nominated to be on the council: Michelle Sheehan
and Kristen Divona.

B. Motion to Elect: by Max

1. Second by Craig
2. No one opposed
3. Congratulations Michelle and Kristen and Welcome to the Council!

VII. Council and Comittee Meeting Times and Places: 7:05-7:15

A. Council meetings are always the first Sunday of every month at the West Broadway
Neighborhood Associated at 6pm
B. Storefront Committee Meeting: Tuesday, November 11th at 6pm, 469 W. Fountain St.
Apt. 2
C. Membership & Communications Committee Meeting: Sunday, November 9th at 6pm,
21 Wood St.