6
August 2020
Honest Slate
COMMITTEE C O R N E R August 2O20 HWFC Meeting Summaries This article provides a summary of preliminary committee reports submitted to the Board of Directors for August 4, 2020’s Board meeting. See the Board meeting packet for details. Full Board-approved committee reports are posted on HWFC’s website. Communications Committee (CC)
∙ Hard copies of Honest Slate are available in-store (entryway racks and committee bulletin board). ∙ Solicited and published material from various Staff regarding Black Lives Matter (BLM); front-page and additional coverage will be included in July’s Honest Slate. Reached out to all Committees and newly elected Board members for readership updates, input or response to questions (heard back from one new Board member). Honest Slate routinely welcomes occasional or regular guest writers. ∙ August marks completion of two full years publishing Honest Slate (24 issues), a stable team of seven, and regular submissions. ∙ Following Honest Slate’s July coverage of the Cottontail Housing Co-op start-up, its founder reported reader inquiries.
Membership Committee (MC)
∙ Online and in-person new Member orientations are under way. Subcommittee continues to standardize new format and procedures. Website updated to share current orientation options for prospective Owners/MOs. ∙ In response to CC’s request for Bulletin Board display area for Honest Slate, MC voted to suggest CC use their portion of the All Committee Bulletin Board. ∙ Continuing work drafting updated 2020 work plan; to be completed in August. ∙ Discussed Board’s new Anti-Racism Committee initiative, which will include MO Manual review . ∙ Cara B. accepted nomination/approval for another three-month term as MC Chair.
by Stephanie Conde
Increased sales and a loan/grant from the SBA’s Payroll Protection Program (PPP) let HWFC meet financial goals with no layoffs. Environment Committee (EC)
∙ Continued examining energy conservation opportunities for HWFC, including review of Bullrock/High Peaks community solar contract and analysis of HWFC’s utility bill. ∙ Further researched development of online Zero Waste presentation for Membership (what Zero Waste is; examples of homes, businesses, and communities that have moved toward fully implementing Zero Waste practices; and practical Zero Waste steps for individuals and communities. ∙ Due to Covid19-related time and meeting challenges, draft work plan has not been completed. Hope to have plan ready by Sept. or Oct. · The Environment Committee submitted a letter directly to the Board regarding a recent change in hand soap stocked in HWFC bathrooms. Concerns included whether the product met FPM standards. [Ed. Note: HWFC’s Environmental Services Manager responded to the committee.]
Honest Arts Committee (HAC)
∙ Committee juried entries for Virtual “Renewal” Art Show. Three to five pieces will be rotated through digital exhibit each week for 5 weeks (hashtag #HWFCRenewal). ∙ Call for art for virtual “Black Lives Matter” Art Show scheduled for Aug. 4 release; jurying of submissions by Aug. 22.
Finance Committee (FC)
∙ CFO Erin Martin noted year-end report will be ready in a few weeks. Increased sales in last two months and loan/grant from Small Business Administration’s Payroll Protection Program (PPP) has allowed HWFC to meet its financial goals. Final numbers available in a few weeks will reflect profit. Annual Inventory was completed without any issues. Annual Audit will be done in early August with two FC members and CFO Martin.
∙ Discussed concerns about closing Food Service buffet at HWFC and Empire State Plaza (ESP). Had significant financial losses but did not lay off any employees. Currently no date to resume full service buffets at Co-op or ESP. Food Service losses amounted to $83,000; actual loss of income was $33,000. Fortunately, OGS returned rent paid in advance for ESP site. Plans to work with College of Saint Rose are on hold. ∙ Committee vote passed FC 2021 Budget unanimously. ∙ Reviewed 2020 work plan. Since no changes were recommended, same work plan will be employed for 2021. ∙ Held brief discussion on need for strategic/long-range planning. FC wants process to begin. Previously requested Board ask each HWFC committee to select one or two members to serve with Board and other Member-Owners (MOs) to develop process and schedule. Board liaison suggested: more complete plan be made by FC (unclear why Board was reluctant to allow FC full organizational control), and presenting plan to get long-range planning started would be okay (as Board has been busier and would welcome plan from FC).
Elections and Nominations Committee (ENC)
∙ Debriefed election process of virtual June Membership Meeting. Will reach out to Janis Adams on her suggestion to improve ballot format. In response to several MOs trying to submit ballots for others during collection at Co-op, discussed ballot collectors’ responsibilities; decided they are not really different from those of ballot box holders at in-person Membership Meetings. At collection tables, we remind MOs (with minimum signage) that ballots can continued on page 7
Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Ave. Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667 • https://www.honestweight.coop/ • honestslate@honestweight.coop
