Reading Entrails

[Rory Bowman]

Looking at the public web site, I see increasing evidence of the
wheels having fallen off of VFC. Promises of more features and content
for the web site are consistently made then changed or retracted,
official owner numbers vary between the public number and board
minutes, and at least two directors have left with no explanation that
I can find. Six of nine seats are up for election this year instead of
three, and the hurdle for being a candidate has been raised,
consistent with a "board-only" strategy going forward.

What I can find is reflected at http://www.vfcbizplan.com/historyofvfcbusinessplan
and http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pcu84d3MW6gf6GjcNN9gaMg

Does anyone have any more substantive information on what the board is
up to, if anything?

I assume that they are planning some sort of vote to legitimize their
past actions at the second "annual meeting" near the end of this
month, but what more can folks determine? With Sunrise's publicly-
announced divorce and change of focus, is the board ready to consider
a motion to dissolve and return the money?

[Lori Loranger]

I gotta say Rory, I think you're out of line here.
I personally value my own privacy highly, and consequently highly
respect the privacy of others.
Details of someone's personal life are not appropriate for a public
list, whatever your logic.

Isn't it past time you both stopped the mudslinging and moved on to more
productive things?
All that happens with mudslinging battles is that everyone involved or
nearby gets dirty.
Perhaps that's why so many of us have simply washed our hands of the
whole thing.
Enough already.
-LL

[Anja Larson]

I don't know what he means about the divorce, which S announced on NPR
(or was it OPB), except that S's husband said something at the last
videotaped annual meeting, after I left, for which at least one member
asked for her money back and got it back, without being hassled and
misled. Nobody including Rory has bothered to tell me what was said,
and I of course don't want to know the dirt.

However how bad can it be when people can't talk about it? It hasn't
been an hours-long harangue, yet, although I didn't pick up all
possible threads. Taking it out into a public space at least lets
everyone know the differences in opinion, which are hard to make out
otherwise. It's sunshine week.

It might be useful to have a better attitude towards dirt. It's time to
be messing around in it and enriching it, it's the springtime. I don't
especially want to wash my hands of food cooperatives just because of
misunderstandings about the goals.

[Rory Bowman]

More data up this morning at http://www.vancouverfood.coop/index.php/calendar/details/68.html
directly from Sunrise

VFC Member Only-annual meeting and candidate's fair
Sunday, March 29, 2009: 6:00pm - 8:30pm

The Co-op's annual member meeting will take place on Sunday March 29th
- 6:00 - 8:30 pm at St. Lukes Episcopal Church at 426 E. Fourth Plain
Blvd.

This event will be a Potluck of snacks, hors d'oeuvres, and finger
foods. So, please bring a healthy snack or refreshment for everyone to
enjoy!

This is a member meeting.

PLEASE ATTEND THIS IMPORTANT MEETING. The Co-op continues to make
progress towards opening a store. The Board wants and needs your
input. Being a Co-op member means having a voice in setting Co-op
policies, participating in important decisions, and helping make the
Co-op successful. The Annual Meeting is one of many forums for you to
play a role, meet people, and stay informed on our activities in the
past year.

We will also highlight the work of our Action Committees and their
goals for the coming year.

[Rory Bowman]

At the request of its author, a message in this thread (inadvertently
posted to the entire group) has been removed.