Refund of money paid to VFC

[Glenna Rose, Owner #25]

When I made a share payment in August of 2007, it was submitted with
an application for ownership in a food cooperative to be located in
west Vancouver. When it became clear that the store would not be
located in west Vancouver, I was one of many owners who signed a
petition for an owner's meeting for the board to tell us exactly what
the plan was and where they were guiding the co-op. As those who
attended the meeting might remember, we were basically told when they
had a million dollars, they would open a store. They also revised the
goal of 600 owners by the end of 2008 to 300. They are not even going
to meet the 300 number.

There has clearly been mishandling of owner equity with cash on hand
not being reported since June. With $11,000 in grants and fund-
raising, the owner equity should still be complete and in a savings
account to not be touched until a store location is located.

Regarding store location, two prime locations were passed by with
those being the Day N' Night Market and Tee Pee Market both in
locations that have been operating as grocery stores for decades and
in the initially advertised area. Day N' Night Market and Tee Pee
Market both have had full service stores including a meat market with
either meeting the needs for the food cooperative for many years. It
is very clear that the intention is not to open a store in west
Vancouver.

In addition to that obvious conclusion, I have sat at board meetings
and heard members of the board lie to the owners even jeopardizing the
jobs and damaging the reputations of those lied about.

Sadly, in May of 2007, I allowed myself to be influenced to become
involved in what should have been a very worthwhile project while
everything in my "gut" told me to not do it. Since the first of the
year, I have been told by long-time friends to dis-associate myself
with the organization, that association with it, via the prime person
in charge, could only damage my credibility. I have witnessed false
accusations against a board member and termination of that board
member; when owners attended the following board meeting and requested
an apology to that board member, none was given nor was there an
acknowledgment of wrong doing on the part of the board.

It is truly sad that the current board has allowed itself to be
poisoned by the gossip mentality and the agenda of a particular person
even to the point of filing a false police report. Yes, a false
report; I have read that report which contains far more than the
owners have been told and is lies.

On November 11th, I contacted the board and requested a refund. They
refused saying I must fill out a formal request. That was not
required at the time my payment was submitted nor is it required by
any legal bylaws or Washington state law. The ownership has not voted
on any bylaws which was required by the original bylaws. I was in
court on November 24th when Rory was awarded his refund plus court
costs. By that action, the court has established that refunds must be
given at the request without any additional paperwork submitted other
than requesting the refund.

Do not fill out their request form because when signed by you, it
gives them the right to refuse your refund. If they say they will not
refund without it, simply tell them you will file in small claims
court and have it served via sheriff deputy which will cost them an
additional $49. They have no legal right to keep your money. I
encourage you to request a refund and, if they ever do make progress
to pick a store location in west Vancouver as originally represented
(or any location!), then consider again supporting them. Quite
frankly, Alberta Food Co-op is closer to me than any location they
have been considering (in east Vancouver!).

On November 24th, at Rory's request, I made one more request to the
board to refund my money giving them the opportunity to avoid the $49
additional expense. They provided my check to me the next day as I am
certain they will to you as well. It would not do them well to have
another owner appear to be refunded money paid in good faith.

Good luck with your refund request which, by precendent, can be done
completely by email. If you need any assistance, I will provided you
with my own experience and guidance.