Newsletters: November-December 2009
Another Successful Annual Meeting
Natural Times November/December 2009
By June Wiaz, Board Director
This year’s annual meeting took place on August 22 at a spectacular venue—the beautifully restored carriage house and stables at Goodwood Museum and Gardens off Miccosukee Road.
In attendance were 66 member-owners, the Board of Directors, and New Leaf Market staff, including Deli Manager Brian Baisch and Outreach Coordinator Jean Crozier who made and served a lunch fit for discerning omnivores and vegetarians alike.
The post-schmoozing/munching part of the event included overwhelmingly positive reports by Board President Chuck Hungerford and Secretary Treasurer Joshua Youngblood. Chuck thanked member-owners for their unflagging support of the store even in the throes of expansion. He noted the dedication of New Leaf staff, in particular Cristin Burns, the store’s marketing manager who oversaw the expansion. Joshua told the group about New Leaf’s very positive financial picture, most notably the surprising increase in sales during the expansion. The success was so stunning that management agreed that there were ample funds to issue patronage rebates (by the end of this year) even with the expenses associated with the expansion.
General Manager Larrane Hartridge later discussed more specifics of the expansion that finished on time and under budget (although not without hair-pulling mishaps). She credited staff with the success because of their willingness to work day and night to rearrange the store as different areas were addressed. Store Manager Phil Valentine along with Cristin Burns were mentioned specifically, and Larrane noted that staff collectively received $30,000 in bonuses. (The meeting attendees issued loud and sustained applause of appreciation of their efforts.)
Larrane also noted the store’s 671 new owners added this year, a particularly impressive number given the economy and the expansion turmoil. (At some point there were so many roofing problems that someone suggested renaming the store “New Leak Market.”) But in the end, NLM’s expansion success has been so well regarded that store has hosted managers from five other co-ops who visited New Leaf to receive expansion training.
Next on the agenda was Denise Tansey and her announcements about this year’s scholarship recipients. To read about the winners, please see page 5.
Finally, the floor was opened to questions from the member-owners. Staff and board members fielded questions about a variety of topics: how the store is encouraging local organic growers; what the store’s “Ends Policies” are (essentially mission statements); product requests; and finally an expression of appreciation for the research that New Leaf Market staff does into the products before deciding to stock them.
As noted at the meeting, this bi-monthly newsletter, Natural Times will now be emailed quarterly. Hard copies will be available in the store. This is an effort to save money and resources, yet another reason to be pleased with how our piece of co-op paradise is managed.
