April 2021 Board Meeting Minutes

EVER'MAN COOPERATIVE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Board Meeting Minutes April 26, 2021 6:00 pm - online meeting I.

ADMINISTRATIVE Dave DeBlander called the meeting to order at 6:09 PM. There were enough members for a quorum.

Board members present: Larry Adams, Dave DeBlander, Lynn Jackson, Tara Jones, Jena Melançon, Kelly Oden, Eric Schneider, and Dr. Sandra “Sandy” Winborne; Thane Joyal of Columinate, Ever’man General Manager William Rolf, staff members Thalia & Joy, and members Hugh Ed & Lois were also present.

Tara read the Ends Statement.

The minutes from March were tabled, and we will review them next month.

II. OPEN FORUM Hugh Ed spoke to the group about property sales prices near the downtown store and shared information about the AARP Foundation.

III. ELECTION OF OFFICERS Dave DeBlander was reelected unanimously to the role of president.

Larry Adams was elected to the role of vice president.

Tara Jones was elected to the role of secretary.

Eric Schneider was reelected to the role of treasurer.

IV. GM REPORT GM Comments As seen in the report, sales are still not where we want them to be, but we are moving in the right direction. We don’t have final numbers at this point due to annual timing challenges.

William updated the board on Skanska litigation, our tax refund, and employee retention tax credits.

The money requested to be set aside for this year’s 401K is $60,000. Tara motioned to accept this. Larry seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

B8: Treatment of Consumers Tara moved to approve B-8. Kelly seconded this motion. unanimously. Dave complimented the store on the survey results.

The motion carried

V. BOARD SELF MONITORING D 8, 9, 10, 11: Officer Roles – All roles are understood. The board discussed its roles and explored leadership growth opportunities for board members such as intentional capacity building and the possibility of rotating duties.

Endowment Funds to be Used for Nine Mile Education Room – William updated the group on the status of the funds available from the equipment loan which can be used to buy equipment for the education room. He discussed the possibility of using the $33K from the board endowment fund to cover expenses not allowed by the equipment loan.

With these funds, William could subcontract out the work. He has begun to collect bids to make the completion of the room a reality should the board approve this.

The board discussed the opportunity & put forth the motion that the store to use the board endowment of $33K to take the necessary steps get the Nine Mile Education Room up to code so it can be opened for member use.

Kelly made a motion to approve. Sandy seconded this motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Larry abstained from the vote to avoid the appearance of impropriety even though no conflict exists as the project will not involve any additional work for his firm, the work having been completed under a prior contract.

Retreat topics and date with Thane – Thane is available for an in-person retreat on September 25. The board approved the date.

Committee Reports: Food Desert – Sandy gave us an overview of the Heart of Pensacola’s plans and shared what the group hopes will be the role of Ever’man. Sandy, Dave, Lynn, and Eric will make a charter for the Ever’man committee.

Nominating – did not meet Executive – did not meet Fall Membership Appreciation – did not meet

Treasurer Report of Board Budget: The Treasurer reviewed the board, noting that CDBL & CDS & insurance went up this year.

VI. BOARD VISIONARY TIME Please see Food Desert under Committee Reports above.

VII. ADJOURNMENT Sandy motioned to adjourn, and Larry seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

The board is grateful to Thane for use of her Zoom account. The meeting adjourned at 7:29 PM. Respectfully submitted,

Jena Melançon Secretary for the Ever’man Cooperative Board of Directors