Coast Mountain News Thursday, December 8, 2011
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$1.00 + HST Vol. 27 | No. 24 Thursday, December 8, 2011 11
Serving the Bella Coola Valley eyy and the Chilcotin
Rachel Chatham honoured at Ridge Riders' AGM
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Sara Germain photo
Movember at SAMS! The SAMS Student Council has been busy planning ways to engage their fellow students and have some fun at school; however, Movember participation is more than just fun and games. It is a world-wide public health campaign to spread awareness about men’s health in general, and testicular cancer in particular. Learn more at ca.movember.com. See more photos on page 12.
Bella Coola Co-op plans for the future at recent AGM CHRISTINA BOUCHER Members and Directors of the Board of the Bella Coola Co-op gathered on November 23 to review the annual financial report, vote on organizational bylaws, and discuss plans for the future to thrive economically and meet consumer needs. The Co-op has just completed its second year as an independent store, after an official break from Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL) in 2009. One major consequence of separating from FCL included paying off debts and settling various financial issues. President of the Bella Coola Co-op Board of Directors Peter Fralick comments: “The current financial situation is improving, but it is still a struggle. When we lost a large portion of the
population about ten years ago, we lost a lot of consumers that bought the things that keep us going as a store. Nowadays, people have less disposable income.” Turnout for the meeting was estimated at 30 attendees, which met the requirements for a quorum but was a relatively low number considering the large membership of the Association. At last year’s AGM, the members voted to allow the Board of Directors to experiment with operating with a quorum of three, but in order to make this new policy permanent, a special resolution was required at a future meeting. The opinion of the Board was such that the new rules allowed them to operate in a more functional manner, and so proposed such a resolution at this year’s AGM, which passed without dis-
senting vote. Election of new Directors was also on the agenda for the AGM. Peter Fralick and Sandi Maclaurin were reelected by acclamation. Marshall Hans Jr. and Duncan Morgan still have a portion of their terms to complete. That leaves the Board with four directors with three vacancies. Fralick expressed the need for interest in additional Directors for the 2012 year. “Director appointments can be made at any time of the year, and extend to the next AGM,” Fralick explained He noted the Board is trying diligently, with noted lack of success, to get people to serve on the Board of the store they own. He particularly notes the Board’s interest in recruiting young persons who may add their unique perspective to the current expertise on the
Board. Responsibilities of a Director include attendance at a once-monthly three hour Board meeting. Fralick notes the bargaining process has been completed until 2014, and major decisions required of Board members revolve around budgeting and implementation. At the AGM, the manager’s report outlined some exciting plans for future implementation that would both save costs and conserve energy usage at the Co-op. Over the next year, the management hopes to enhance the sales process by installing Point of Sale (POS) computer technology. POS systems perform the functions of a basic cash register as well as providing a nexus of inventory control, making inventory management more efficient, and saving the business time and
money. The Co-op has already placed covers on the coolers, both conserving energy and improving the shelf-life and quality of the produce and dairy items. Also on the energy-saving checklist is the rolling installation of LED light systems, replacing the old units. “The largest expenses to the business are Hydro and propane,” says Fralick, explaining the Board’s rationale for the strategy of saving money by reducing energy costs. “The new light systems will pay for themselves within the year, and we’ll continue to save money long after that.” Also new for the Co-op in 2012 is the movement of the Vancouver Island Regional Library Bella Coola branch into the building. SEE AGM ON PAGE 3