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South Philly Food Co-opSteering Committee MeetingMonday, September 13, 2010

Present: Alison, Marsha, Rose, Julia, Rebecca F, Tina J, Maria, Cassie, John

1. Tina Johnson, Keystone Development Centera. are we moving too fast? Make sure we are thinking smallb. they have a coffee shop In the co-op thats open to public to make money

to support the co-opc. 200 people at first community meetings. Had monthly community

meetingsd. people joined w/out a building even existinge. 100 members to start and over 200 members nowf. people will shop in co-op because they are members even there are other

options

g. what is our niche? What do we want from this?h. 2 hrs 45min every 4 weeks per household (36 hrs/yr). No paid staff. Will

be moving into store w/paid employees this yeari. Not open every day. Open 2 days a week based on how many hours

members can work.j. $20,000/wk is goal for new storek. did their own feasibility plan (20 page) Called on expertise of members.

Wrote own business plan. No bank money.l. started with produce only in a farmers market styleorganic and

conventionalm. building relationships is very important

n. CBDG grant (Community Block Development Grant)--money given togroups that are organizing to do feasibility study and other things.http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/communitydevelopment/programs/

o. Food Coop 500 have grant (they did the webinars)p. Howard Bowers Foundation (http://www.cgin.coop/public/food-coop-

info/howard-bowers-fund) Ellen Quinnq. Grants pay for things like printing, ink, startup costsr. once we figure out structure, seek out those resources that are

helpful/understand your situations. 2 separate accountsmarket account just for food

t. membership runs board meeting, not vice versa --when board ranmeetings, membership didnt have buy in

u. finances run through Quickbooks, statements are compiled on a regularbasis

v. food is not taxed---so if we decided to sell among ourselves and not makea profit would be safe from city

2. Website ($2.50) for Mary Betha. (Alison, Marsha, Maria, Rose, John, David, Cassie, Rebecca paid)

3. Subcommittee update (10)

http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/communitydevelopment/programs/http://www.cgin.coop/public/food-coop-info/howard-bowers-fundhttp://www.cgin.coop/public/food-coop-info/howard-bowers-fundhttp://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/communitydevelopment/programs/http://www.cgin.coop/public/food-coop-info/howard-bowers-fundhttp://www.cgin.coop/public/food-coop-info/howard-bowers-fund

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a. Outreachi. Monday, 6:30 Outreach meeting at Rebbeca Fs houseii. LoMo Fall Fair on the 25th of Septemberiii. Website is pretty much doneiv. Presos to Civics---Julie H, Rebecca F, David W will meet on Wed to

get a presentation rehearsed and ready9 volunteers will be giving

presentationsv. Some surveys have been collectedvi. co-business assessment checklist of what food options are

available in the 1.5 mile radius from fountainb. Finance

i. issues opening bank accountii. want to incorporate sooneriii. Open personal business account with 2 people on the account for

accountability. No need to incorporate sooner before we havemembership structure (thanks Tina!)

4. Membership Structure Discussion (40)

a. working vs. non-working-- working members dont necessarily have toput in hours, but can put in work in a way that fits their schedule (teachingclasses, fixing things, consulting)

b. working membership builds communityc. working co-ops keep prices downd. most co-ops are not made to make moneye. if we have a working model----needs to be equitable. If some members

work & some dont, not equitablef. Park Slope closed a few times before they got their membership structure

rightg. discounts to working members are considered payment---you need to pay

taxes on discountsh. if people off the street get same prices as working members---is it fair to

members?i. be flexible. If somethings not working, change it.

j. Think small.k. Patronage----do we want to give it back to members or reinvest

l. Quasi for profit, not for profit--co-ops arem. processing fee AND investment paid when members joinn. if co-op cant return investment, must be in bylaws that it will be repaid

when it can be w/out hurting co-op

5. Timeline Presentation (20)--due to the membership structure dialogue, this

was not touched on at all

6. Reminder: Door-to-door surveysa. Target date for door-to-door surveys in: OCT 9

7. Next meeting: 9/27: All Committee Partya. RSVP update/reminder sent out to invitees not yet replied

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