Minutes, CO-OP ME Monthly Call, 12/18/12

[James Murphy]

 

COOPERATIVE MAINE Monthly Call, 12/18/12     Jan. CM Call - See bottom item!

 

Present:  Paul Sheridan, Deborah Hawkins, Lynda Brushett, David Gulak, Jim Murphy.

 

Facilitator:  Paul.

 

David Gulak was welcomed.  He manages Barrel's Community Market, Waterville,

        which is transitioning to a co-op model.

 

Treasurer's Report:  (Paul) Credit Union balance =$635.78.  $27.25 from CGCF.

        Spent $6.85 for Blue Hill concert.  No replies to fund-raising letter.  Paul may

        repeat after holidays, perhaps casting wider net (email lists from "Talk/Co-op"

        plus recent events) and include membership invite.  JM has lists from MOFGA's             "By Land & By Sea" and Nov 3 "Sharing Sustainability," where Rob Brown spoke.

        Tees getting low.  Order more?  With pocket?  [Long sleeves?]

 

CGC Fair:  Tabling got 22 new names.  But we don't follow up.  How to do this better?

        Maybe refer those really interested in co-ops directly to CDI for phone f/u?

        Add to sign-up clipboard:  Want to be added to our listservs? 

        Benefit concert or bake sale for fundraising/recruitment?  Anyone with contacts

        to musicians, performers?

        Paul to send out CGCF recruitment sheet to us giving "101" talks for better f/u.

 

Recent Co-op 101's: Library talks by Deborah (Bangor), Paul (Belfast) in Nov.  Also 

        Jim (Skowhegan) in Oct.  Deborah feels these broad public events aren't very

        fruitful, even with publicity.  Both Nov talks were ~50% 'choir.'  Better to contact                 specific groups likely to be receptive, such as TransitionTown or MainStreet 

        groups, and offer a presentation.  Jim's talk was to TransitionSkowhegan and 

        stressed how Co-ops bring Transition values to life.  Very enthusiastic crowd of             15.  Current Transition thinking is that community-owned and worker/consumer-                owned biz is their next big step.  He hopes to talk at Dover-Dexter Transition in Jan.          [There are currently 11 TT groups in ME.  Jim has list.] 

 

Barrel's Market:  Emerging from WTVL MainStreet, its parent & fiscal sponsor.  A team 

        is currently meeting, aiming at the Co-op model.  They have gotten some info from         Marada (Crown of Maine Organic Co-op, COMOC) and David intends to contact

        Jonah Fertig (Local Sprouts).  David also suggested we hold a periodic, traveling

        "Forum" of members from different co-ops (e.g. Food) to talk about what each is

        dealing with, discuss issues, successes, etc. Could be conference calls, events,

        +/or webinars.  This conversation revived the idea from "How ToTalk Co-op" of all

        ME Food Co-ops forming an ad hoc 'council' to share ideas, mentoring, etc.  Could

        this be melded with David's forum?  With Barrel's convenient location, parking, and         meeting space, perhaps they could launch a first meeting there?

        [Notes don't disclose if he was directed to CDI, but it might be a good idea.]    

        

CM Googlegroup:  Difficulties cited in getting into our group, e.g. to add new names.  

        Lynda mentioned that, for people interested in Co-ops,  putting them on our list is             the first thing we should do.  How to get admin access?  Someone thought that                 maybe Al Smith could help with this.  To be continued.

 

Other agenda:  Postponed due to absences:  Health care COOP, Co-op Month review,

        MECEP paper, and local economies/Changing Maine link. 

 

January CM Call:  New semester, new schedules.  Jan. 15 would normally be the day.

        Is there a better day & time?  Members of the work group are asked to respond             with their preferences.  Tues or Thurs, 4-5pm was mentioned. Please call or email         Paul with your options.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Jim Murphy