Committee Corner

COMMITTEE COMMITTEE COMMITTEE CORNER CORNER CORNER

HWFC Meeting Summaries May 2O21

by Stephanie Conde

This article provides a summary of preliminary committee reports submitted to the Board of Directors for their May 6, 2021, Board meeting. See Board meeting packet for details. Full Board-approved committee reports are posted on HWFC’s website.

Sales and Fiscal Performance

(for 9 mos. ending Mar. 31, 2021) ∙ Ordinary Income decreased $92,981 or 23% to $304,600 vs. $397,581 last year ($220,747 or 58% under budgeted amount of $525,347). ∙ Net Income increased $23,679 or 19% from $124,979 to $148,658 ($151,544 or 50% under budgeted $300,202). ∙ EBITDA decreased by $272,586 to $597,240 v. $826,826 last year (under budgeted $781,608 by $184,367). ∙ Total Expenses were down $141,483 or 1.7% from $8,335,923 to $8,194,440 (under budgeted $8,274,650 by $80,210 or 1%). ∙ Costs of Goods were down $73,797 or 0.6% at $12,754,090 vs. $12,827,886 last year (under budgeted $13,015,536 by $261,446 or 2%). ∙ Overall Gross Profit was down $234,464 or 2.7% at $8,499,040 vs. $8,733,504 last year (under budgeted $8,799,997 by $300,957 or 3.4%). Gross Margin was 40% vs. 40.5% last year (under budgeted 40.3%).

Governance Review Council (GRC)

∙ Reviewed appropriateness of non-MO HR Staff participating as voting members of PC. Brainstormed ideas for amending composition of PC in Bylaws (section 464.3) to harmonize with requirement that governance is restricted to MOs (section 460.2). ∙ Discussed Board of Directors (BOD) decision to retain CCO and add enhanced duties to specific job descriptions without public vote. [Editor’s note: Our management structure did not change so a vote was unnecessary.] ∙ Discussed HOP (Honest Weight Ombuds Panel) proposal’s benefits, drawbacks. ∙ Reviewed May Membership Meeting (MM) notice; suggested two changes. Elections and Nominations Committee (ENC)

∙ Received BOD approval to require all Board nominee names on ballots, including floor nominees. BOD requested designation be placed on ballot for candidates who submitted nomination forms (rather than being nominated from floor). ∙ Reviewed April election meeting work plan including PowerPoint slides planned. ∙ Completed Nominating and Voting Guide updates; submitted for BOD review and approval.

Environment Committee (EC)

∙ EC energy experts consulted on ABS Energy proposal (4–5 measures, adding doors to coolers lacking them, condensers with air fans, cooler controls). Exploring savings estimate. Continue to develop spreadsheet and analysis of interval pricing of HWFC’s utility expenses. ∙ Zero Waste presentation preparation continues. One EC member involved in creating Zero Waste NY organization; will explore whether HWFC can be founding member. ∙ Development of Environment and Sustainability Manual continues. Researching products created by other cooperatives and institutions to aid development of general outline.

Nutrition and Education Committee (NEC)

∙ Article on spring greens submitted for May’s Honest Slate; article on hydroponics and its controversial inclusion in organic program planned for June. ∙ Meat Charts appear acceptable to Management, except Farm Visit section (to be addressed in future meetings). ∙ Seek to conduct tabling for Food and Product Manual when possible (inside HWFC or, weather permitting, outside). Communications Committee (CC)

∙ Approved edits to recently updated guest writers’ guidelines. ∙ Seeking one or two MOs to invest time with page proofreading and/or copy editing assignments; training provided. Email honestslate@honestweight.coop if you can help. ∙ Copy deadline for June Honest Slate is May 21. Next publishing dates are May 6 and June 3.

To learn more about Honest Weight Food Co-op committees, visit https://www.honestweight.coop/page/ committees-of-the-board-14.html

Membership Committee (MC)

∙ Orientations continue successfully via Zoom platform while in-person sessions remain on hold due to pandemic. ∙ Outreach continues to MOs who have not yet returned to contributing time investments. ∙ Continue outreach to appointees for Bylaws Committee updates. Appreciate receiving information from Bylaws Chair on future changes. ∙ Next book discussion group is May 13 (Cannibals with Forks) to be co-facilitated by Erin and Cara. Will ensure coordination with Honest Slate and will collaborate with other committees on future books (July’s collaboration may be with Anti-Racism Committee).

Anti-Racism Committee (ARC)

∙ Discussed Update on Challenge (implicit bias module series) including Kirwan Implicit Bias Module Series, MO and staff incentives for completing, and surveying MO/staff who complete series.

Personnel Committee (PC)

∙ Continue Employee Manual revisions.