Mark Thorne, Board President
The Moscow Food Co-op Board of Directors held their March Board meeting on Tuesday the 5 th
at the 1912 Center from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Present were eight of nine Board members, our General
Manager, and Co-op staff, and one Co-op owner via Zoom. On the agenda was the General
Manager’s B1 monitoring report on the financial conditions covering the fourth quarter of 2023.
The Co-op experienced an increase in sales and net income compared to the same period in
2022. In addition, net income compared to other comparable Co-ops in the region was in much
better shape. The Board accepted all aspects of the B1 report in compliance. The General
Manager also presented her B2 monitoring report covering planning and financial planning,
which the Board also accepted in compliance with our stated policies. More details can be found
in the General Manager’s FYI report on the Meetings and Minutes page of the Co-op’s webpage.
The Board also monitored its D3 and D4 policies. These policies, like D1 and D2, define the
relationship between the Board and the General Manager. The D3 policy defines that the Board
delegates authority to the General Manager in the form of the written Ends (A policy) and
Executive Limitations (B policies). The D4 policy defines how the Board monitors and evaluates
the performance of the General Manager. The Board found itself to be in compliance with these
policies.
In other business, the Board heard an update from the Elections and Board Owner
Communication Committee regarding progress on planning the 2024 Annual Meeting, and we
brainstormed regarding topics for the upcoming spring retreat. We also finished up our book
reading assignments for “13 Ways to Kill Your Community,” which we have been reading as a
group activity. The author presents some very good insights into keeping a community viable
and thriving.
For our Study and Engagement Series, we heard from Janna Jones, Nick Koenig, and Megan
Stedman from Inland Oasis in Moscow. Island Oasis is a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit volunteer
organization that supports the LGBTQ+ community and allies on the Palouse. They are located
on the west side of Moscow behind Big Smoke tobacco shop and just west of Mod Pizza. They
operate the Westside Food Pantry, which handles around 12,000 pounds of food per month.
They host programs focusing on education, social, and health issues, and are developing a
community center within their building. Inland Oasis sponsors drag night and bingo and has
organized the August Pride in the Park celebration at East City Park. Volunteers for Inland Oasis
have been working hard to create a safe space to work and gather. You can find out more
information, or make donations, online at their website, https://www.inlandoasis.org/. Please
consider financial support if you are able!
Our Study and Engagement Series is a way in which the Board and staff become better informed
about issues and activities that affect our community. 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.
The next Board meeting is scheduled for April 2, 2024, in the Fiske Room at the 1912 Center
(412 E 3rd St, Moscow, ID). The meeting will run from 6:00 to 8:00 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
Moscow Food Co-op 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.