The Moscow Food Co-op Board of Directors held their first July Board meeting since we voted in January to meet monthly! And guess what? We survived! Having monthly meetings is effective because we can spread out our responsibilities and be better focused at each meeting.
Our July Board meeting was held on the 11th at the 1912 Center and included Board members, our General Manager, and Co-op staff. There were no Co-op owners present. We reviewed and accepted the General Manager’s monitoring report covering emergency GM succession. The policy states that there should be at least two employees with training and familiarity to manage the Co-op if the GM was out of commission. The report was thorough and well prepared and detailed the experience and training of two current employees who could step in and take the reins if needed. Well done, Melinda and staff!
The Board also monitored a relatively short policy covering the Board meeting process. Essentially, we are to use Board meeting time only for Board responsibilities. Regular meetings are open to current owners unless we need to go into an executive session to discuss confidential matters. Furthermore, in making Board decisions, our policy states that we use motions, seconds, and majority votes. After a brief discussion, we voted the Board in compliance with this policy. The Board also reviewed our recent spring retreat and the GM’s FYI report, which showed the Co-op did not experience a June sales slump and that ownership numbers were up.
In our Study and Engagement Series, Jennifer Wallace, Executive Director for Palouse Habitat for Humanity, talked to us about the challenges and progress Habitat for Humanity is seeing in a post-COVID world. Construction costs are substantially up as well as the need for volunteers. It was also interesting to hear that in some of the more rural towns, there is a need for applications for Habitat homes. Jennifer also described how the Moscow recycling store is expanding and renovating. This will be good for those looking for material and furniture and for those making donations! More information can be found at https://palousehabitat.org/.
Our Study and Engagement Series is a way in which the Board and staff can become better informed about issues and activities that affect the community around us. One of the Seven Cooperative Principles states that we have “Concern for Community,” and listening to people describe aspects of concern in our community is directly tied to our Ends.
Ends Policy: The Moscow Food Co-op is at the heart of a thriving, healthy, and inclusive community where:
1. We embody and embrace cooperative principles and values.
2. All community members have local access to environmentally friendly, socially responsible, and healthful choices.
I want to thank all those that have given presentations in our Board meetings about community issues and concerns!
The next Board meeting is scheduled for August 8, 2023, in the Fiske Room at the 1912 Center (412 E 3rd St, Moscow, ID). The meeting will begin at 6:00 pm. Current Co-op Owners can attend in person or via Zoom. To attend via Zoom, contact the Board’s Administrative Assistant at boardadmin@moscowfood.coop for more information and to RSVP.
Further information about our Board meetings is at https://www.moscowfood.coop/board-meetings
Sincerely,
Mark Thorne, Board President