April 2020 Honest Slate

_ Honest

SLATE

Honest Weight Food Co-op’s Community Newsletter for Membership • Staff • Governance • Management Published monthly by the Communications Committee to promote transparency, report without bias, and sustain community.

April 2020

Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Avenue, Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667

honestslate@honestweight.coop • https://www.honestweight.coop/

The Hand Sanitizer Adventure The Honest Slate received this missive from our Wellness Correspondent, embedded deep in the trenches of Honest Weight’s hygiene front lines:

With the Coronavirus in the news late-

ly, there has been an insane focus on stocking up on hand sanitizer with a total run on all stores: not just for readymade products, but also for “ingredients” to create homemade hand and surface sanitizer.

I worked a long day Monday [March 9]; we were completely slammed with customers looking not just for hand sanitizer but also for aloe vera, glycerin, peroxide, and all kinds of immunity ingredients— some standard, some homeopathic, some folk remedies, and a few others [not carried here] that were actually unsafe. (There is an article warning against recipes for hand sanitizer made with vodka, for example.)

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Our Member-Owner Dan, who is also a salesman for RAD soap, came in that day to buy up all of our Witch Hazel—the factory was in overdrive trying to meet the demand; it was short of ingredients, and couldn’t get any from its regular suppliers. He cited phone calls from clients seeking to order more asap.

_ Wellness customers were observed Googling unusual ingredients on their phones.

Erin from Earthly Remedies brought in the last of her “Thief’s Spray” essential oil combination. Caleb was calling around Sunday trying to find anyone with stock;

honestslate@honestweight.coop

CONTENTS

we couldn’t get anything from UNFI as it were also out of stock on everything.

Healthy on Lark Is Open............. 2

Greg from a local nonprofit group called Grateful Villages happened to have this massive drum of isopropyl alcohol and offered to mix up a batch for us following the World Health Organization guidelines.

It’s formulated to 72% isopropyl with aloe vera—we got a boxful of jars (mason jars in 8, 16, and 32 oz). I thought the big jars were too big and suggested we make up some small sprayers with our 2 oz. and 4 oz. bottles using the biggest jars.

ENC Survey Results ................... 4

Within a couple of hours we realized the demand was becoming even more fierce.

We ended up ordering 10 gallons of sanitizer from Grateful Villages and setting up a bulk dispenser. I threw together some labels and signage, stuck prices on the jars, got everything entered into the system, and put the jars out. We sold out of sprayers immediately, and the jars started going very fast.

Message From the Board......... 9

We went through 10 GALLONS of bulk hand sanitizer in just 2 DAYS. Grateful Village’s product contains no scent or emulsifiers so it’s perfect for anyone, and there is the option of adding your own essential oils.

The fact that we can dispense it in bulk is brilliant, and very much along the lines of what the Co-op is all about!

A local nonprofit community support group stepping in to fill a serious community need—and we were able to move quickly to make it available.

How Governance Works............ 3 Vendor Proves Cooperative....... 5 Q&A from the Suggestion Box. ........ 6 Plants Department Plans........... 6 MO Tries Hand at Lettering........ 7 Unclaimed Funds....................... 7 Committee Corner.................... 8 Board Decisions....................... 10 Letters to the Editors............... 10 Co-Opportunities!.................... 11

Time really was of the essence.

With Alex and Caleb stepping up to the plate (and I jumped in to make labels and signs and do the SMS stuff) we were able to respond quickly to a public health crisis.

Caleb ordered a few hundred sprayer bottles and I think we’re getting even more bulk sanitizer. It’s a madhouse. I stayed late Monday to make sure things could move; Alex and Caleb came in early on Tuesday and set up the end cap with more signage, and Greg came in to do demos and give out information—I wish a camera crew had been there.—Nina Stanley

https://www.honestweight.coop/

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April 2020

Healthy on Lark Is Open for Pickup…and More!

by Courtney Semoff Sharon Lastique, owner of Healthy on Lark in Albany, has been a member of HWFC since moving to the Capital District in the early 2000s. She opened her vegan/vegetarian restaurant in 2015 after purchasing the space from a friend and fellow restaurateur. A certified Health Coach, Sharon also provides nutritional counseling, stress management classes, and “fun interactive corporate wellness programs [that] are available for large groups or smaller intimate groups.”

Sharon has built her successful business around a years-long passion for organic and whole raw food. The variety of services she provides has enabled her not only to serve the kind of food she wants to share with the world—to people who may have time for only a quick lunch—but to assist those looking for an entire lifestyle change.

plants are grown, and how animals are treated; practices of large farm production and small farmers committed to quality are effectively an ocean apart.

Sharon became a part of HWFC Community Connections the moment she heard about it. She immediately thought, “This is something I want to be involved with.”

The Healthy on Lark Facebook page features videos of Sharon sharing health and wellness information along with new products and specials. She was also interviewed for the InnovateHER challenge; that interview can be found on the Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/clfcr/).

If you live within 5 miles of Healthy on Lark there is also the option of home delivery to provide the necessary ingredients to complete a 1-, 3-, or 5-day juice cleanse. This service includes a 20-minute consultation with Sharon to ensure that the juices you receive are tailored to the goals you have for your body.

She also provides more than 50 flavors of tea! Each flavor is lovingly crafted in-house to complement the healthy benefits her patrons seek in their food.

Sharon wants Slate readers to know that all food at Healthy on Lark is locally sourced.

Supporting local farmers who have committed to organic, non-GMO practices to provide the purest food possible is something Sharon feels very strongly about. After 5 years she has developed great relationships with these folks and emphasizes the importance of supporting smaller, local farms.

As many of you know HWFC has similar aspirations and sources locally as often as possible. Take a look at signs in the Produce, Bulk, and Meat Departments to discover where your food is coming from, how

Are you a business owner who supports HWFC’s values? We invite you to join our Community Connections program—a great way to grow connections and goodwill between our businesses.

We seek more local, communityminded independent businesses interested in offering perks of their choice to our Owners in trade as we send people their way—promoting them via our website and Co-op communication channels.

Click here to check it out. We have some great participants!

As of March 18, 2020, Healthy on Lark is open for delivery and takeout orders, Monday–Saturday, 11 am–6 pm. Call 518650-7755 to order juices, smoothies, soups & meals to boost immunity and keep you healthy during this challenging time. Support small business and order Gift Cards that can be used for juice cleanses and meal prep services.

Sharon is welcoming, knowledgeable, and extremely helpful with any questions her customers may have regardless of their expertise on the subject or lack thereof.

At this time she is still open for pickup orders and available for some other services remotely. Make contact and see exactly what’s offered during this period. Staying at home need not mean pure isolation; we can choose to remain healthy and productive during this time with resources like Healthy on Lark available to accomplish just that.

Healthy on Lark participates in the HWFC’s Community Connections Program—present your MO card and receive a 10% discount.

Local Food Made with Love

• 274 Lark St. Albany NY • 518-650-7755 • http://www.healthyonlark.com/

Juice blends are tailored to individual needs.

—photos courtesy of Sharon Lastique

Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Ave. Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667 • https://www.honestweight.coop/ honestslate@honestweight.coop

April 2020

Interactive Workshop Sheds Light on Governance

by Carol Ostrow

Punctuated by laughter, applause, and re-

Spirited talk cycled from sourcing cheese

flection, Evelyn Wright’s recent interactive

to solar panels at Honest Weight’s March 7 governance education event with several Member-Owners (MOs), Board Directors, and CCO Rick Mausert in attendance.

Reprising her original “What Boards Do” workshop, professional facilitator Evelyn Wright conveyed key information to enthusiastic participants in sync with the Elections and Nominations Committee (ENC).

Following committee chair Mollie Lampi’s introduction, Evelyn (a member since the '90s) asked participants to identify their Co-op roles and indicate whether they’d consider serving on the Board. Answers were both illuminating and supportive of data gathered in ENC’s recent Membership meeting survey (see also page 4).

At Honest Weight, governance is shared between the Board and the Membership.

Recapping respective roles for our Board of Directors and Management, Evelyn presented a slide show illustrating how Board responsibilities fit in with management duties and shedding further light on how it all works at Honest Weight—with supporting perspective from Rick and Board members.

“We’re growing wages faster than sales right now; we need everybody involved. I want to see us survive in perpetuity.”—Rick M. For example, some may not know that coop systems vary extensively. “Co-op boards are very different from corporate or nonprofit organizations or even a co-op without a member time investment program,” offered Board President Janet Sorell. Some co-ops practice only “policy governance,” turning all other matters over to management.

Now, as then, Honest Weight’s Bylaws strongly support not following a policy governance approach. Our Board has resisted going in that direction—due partly to lessons learned when we risked losing our time investment program in 2015. That year, facing a change in its governance system, Honest Weight generated the high-

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workshop provided plenty of space for dialog. “Our Board takes cooperative culture very seriously,” Evelyn stated. est-attended meeting in recent history and ultimately scored a resounding victory: maintaining Member-Owner involvement rather than strictly ownership.

• Individuals need not have every single skill to sit on a Board of Directors. Everyone brings their own unique set to the mix. We accomplish goals together.

• Visiting or serving on committees is an excellent way to learn how governance works at our Co-op.

DeConFLicTify!

“I’m very impressed with how the Board is running now.”—Karen R. Our Board can enter into contracts, create and approve job descriptions, and take responsibility for Management structure.

Our Board must also diligently ensure the quality and effectiveness of Member-Owner time investment. Board Directors and the Member-Owner Coordinator work with Management and our attorneys to maintain a clear line between Employees and Member-Owners. “The bottom line is that we all try to do what is best for the Coop,” Janet added.

“Who is at the helm?”—Warren H. Board Treasurer Warren Hamilton mentioned observing a relative lack of interest in seeking seats on the Board. Proportionate to our entire membership, he observed, numbers are currently low—so it is not easy to populate the Board with qualified people. The ultimate question, he suggested, is “who is at the helm?”

“Honest Weight has had a profound impact on my life.”—Selena W. Selena W. mentioned that she recently made her last ownership payment, sparking applause. She has invested hours in the Cheese Department and has enriched the Co-op by teaching art and cooking classes.

To illustrate good discussion practices, Evelyn used breathing as a metaphor, suggesting that no one could possibly argue whether inhaling or exhaling was more important. “Don’t be too sure!” someone piped up, immediately eliciting laughter.

“Take the air out of the conflict balloon.”

What can MOs do?

“People want to have their say.”

“The only way to make a difference is to spread the word about participation.”

“Unpack muddled conflict.”

“Use listening skills.”

See next page for Honest Weight’s long-term goals, conflict prevention techniques, tools, and questions. illustration: Nina Stanley

Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Ave. Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667 • https://www.honestweight.coop/ honestslate@honestweight.coop

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April 2020

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Workshop Enlightens MOs continued from page 3

choices:

cir c

l

• Identify potential conflict areas; explore and seek consensus before approaching the Board.

• Unpack “muddled conflict” to recognize the set of shared values; explore and clarify the differences via meetings.

• Make a map to disentangle or de-escalate situations and let them be less personal.

• Use techniques: bulletin boards (“write it on the wall”); circle process; talking stick; spectrum discussion groups; walking polarities.

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goals:

What do we aspire to at HWFC? • Long-term vision • Perpetuity planning • Efficiency and clarity • “A longer arc” of vision and leadership to support participation • Democratic procedure upholding cooperative principles

ENC Survey Results Ever wonder why so few candidates run for seats on the Board and the GRC, often leaving one or both governance bodies with fewer members than the Bylaws call for? Well, the Elections and Nominations Committee (ENC) wondered too. With Board permission, the ENC developed a three-question survey asking Member-Owners (MOs) to give us their ideas on why so few MOs run for office and what could be done to reverse this trend. More than 165 surveys were submitted at October’s Membership Meeting and here is what respondents said.

Nearly 40% of responses cited issues with Board culture, transparency, meeting length and efficiency (MOs gave multiple responses to questions). Nearly three-quarters of those cited negative cultural issues and difficult challenges facing Members once they were seated on the Board.

Among perceived issues were: tension, fighting, interpersonal drama, toxic culture, negativity, controversy, and rudeness.

Among challenges facing Board Members

Practice

Reduce

anxiety levels to improve dialog

ocess: pr

1: Identify what you fear; 2: Express what you hope; 3: Respond to what you’re hearing from others.

Evelyn’s agenda included:

Distinguish

Conflict prevention techniques & tools:

conflicting issues from conflicting individuals*

engaging language

Initiate

intention & continuity

*Some conflicts represent polarities, not necessarily issues to solve. If a conflict is truly between individuals, Evelyn recommends hiring a trained mediator.

were: changes in interactions with other members, criticism, and scrutiny. In citing Board meeting length and efficiency as reasons Members chose not to run for office, nearly 20% of responses pointed to issues with meeting length and efficiency, with issues described as meeting time not spent efficiently, conduct of meetings, and time wasted. Finally, 10% of responses indicated issues with Board transparency/Process including reasons such as: process is not transparent, bureaucracy, lack of checks and balances, and lack of Board power.

That is not to say these issues can’t be addressed. Many respondents gave very similar and useful answers when asked what could be done to increase Member participation in these two elective bodies [Board and GRC].

Over 30% of responses mentioned three possible reforms: a) improving Board Meetings, b) improving interactions, and c) improving meeting length, content, and process. Respondents provided suggestions such as shorten meetings, improve presentation styles, and increase openness and accountability. Some respondents also expressed a

questions: • Should we offer second orientations for governance and committee work? Member-Owners, what do you think?

• Have you or anyone you know belonged to other co-ops? What did you learn and how did previous experiences inform your role at Honest Weight? Write us at honestslate@honestweight.coop.

Find out what we learned at this governance workshop: https://www.honestweight.coop/page/governance-380.html. desire for clarifying requirements and role expectations for Board or GRC service.

Similarly, over one-third of the respondents answering question 3 (what would encourage them to run for office) recommended increased respect/cooperation, and improved Board process and time management. The balance of responses indicated that a better understanding of roles and responsibilities, improved opportunities for education and training, and a lessened time commitment could encourage them to run for office.

The entire survey is available HERE. This is a must-read for Member-Owners interested in broadening governance to more participants. The Board is also reviewing the ENC’s proposal to produce an electronic survey for all MOs to answer online sometime this summer. Watch for more info!!—ENC Editors’ note: What measures can help to increase membership desire to participate in Honest Weight governance? See related article (page 3) about a recent, wonderfully informative workshop designed to address these very issues.

Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Ave. Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667 • https://www.honestweight.coop/ honestslate@honestweight.coop

April 2020

We Own It! As Member-Owners of Honest Weight Food Co-op we can say, “We own it!” Since 2010, so can the employees of Bob’s Red Mill.

Bob Moore, with his wife Charlee, founded Bob’s Red Mill in 1978 after decades spent as an auto mechanic in California. While they were living in California, Charlee’s grandmother sent her books about healthy eating, including The Health Builder by J. I. Rodale and Let’s Eat Right to Keep Fit by Adelle Davis. These books inspired Charlee to feed her family whole grains, fruits, and vegetables in the 1960s, when convenience foods were the rage.

The printed word also inspired Bob when he read John Goffe’s Mill by George Woodbury, a book about a man with no milling experience who restored an old mill. In 1978, Bob happened upon a mill in Oregon, where Charlee and he had moved to retire.

Honest Slate

Bob’s Red Mill Embodies Pro-Employee Spirit

by Elisa Grimm Combining the knowledge that had inspired them both, they founded Bob’s Red Mill to produce healthy foods using traditional methods. Located in Milwaukie, Oregon, it is housed on a 17-acre facility and employs more than 500 people.

In the four-plus decades since Bob and Charlee founded the company, it has grown to supply a product line of some 400 items shipped to over 80 countries. Their success attracted corporate suitors, who came calling with offers to buy out the company.

Rather than accept any of the corporate buyout proposals, however, Bob decided to give the company to his employees in 2010 and developed an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, in which those employed for three years become fully vested. Further, when employees resign or retire, they receive cash for their stock shares.

Wet’suwet’en Strong!

by Courtney Semoff

Protests have continued to spread as more people find out about intrusive injustice forced upon these Indigenous people, who have called this land home for thousands of years. Activists from Capital Region groups came together this day to speak out in solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en.

According to the National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO), approximately 14 million individuals participate in 6,600 employee stock ownership plans throughout the U.S. NCEO cites data showing that companies with ESOPs and employee participation plans perform better than they would without the ESOP and employee participation plans. Businesses built on participation and cooperation can and do show genuine financial benefits.

From oats to teff flour to pancake mix, we sell several Bob’s Red Mill products here at HWFC. Though participatory and cooperative businesses are not the most common U.S. model, their impact is measurable. As part of our mission, our member-owned and -operated Co-op is committed to supporting other participatory businesses such as Bob’s Red Mill. time investment in Wellness and the Membership Committee, and assisting Mailing Mavens and Folder Friends teams. Susan believes that her HWFC roles, activism, and personal beliefs all work together.

Albany Rallies in Support Upwards of 25 people gathered with signs and speeches at the ready at Townsend Park in Albany March 6 to stand in solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en tribe of British Columbia.

The Wet’suwet’en have faced extreme dissent in attempts to take a stand for their land against the Coastal Gaslink (CGL) Pipeline.

Pipeline builder/owner TC Energy claims that the CGL pipeline “will safely deliver natural gas across northern B.C. The approved CGL route was determined by considering Indigenous, landowner and stakeholder input, the environment, archaeological and cultural values, land use compatibility, safety, constructability and economics.”

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—photo courtesy of Diana Rosa Fotography

Member-Owner Grace Nichols passionately leads Indigenous Solidarity work such as this gathering. Grace works with the local Mohawk community and honors the sovereignty of these nations. First to speak, she stood strong on the point that “corporations do not have the right to invade indigenous territory for profit.” She quoted Wet’suwet’en chiefs who inspired people to “stand with the millions of people that stand with the Wet’suwet’en!”

Also in attendance was Member-Owner Susan L, part of HWFC since 1981. Her Co-op roles have included a place on the Board,

HWFC Member-Owner Diana Wright owns Food Scraps 360, a company that redirects food scraps from the Albany dump to a productive compost pile. Diana attended in conjunction with her role as a founding member and facilitator of anti-fracking group PAUSE – People of Albany United for Safe Energy, and as a member of the Executive Committee of Zero Waste Capital District.

These three impressive women who fight for their beliefs, people’s rights, and environmental causes in their daily lives joined representatives from other participating activist groups as well as members of HWFC and the community.

Passersby stopped to inquire about the gathering; and many drivers honked to show solidarity. Thank you to everyone who dedicates the time to stand together in support of one another!

Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Ave. Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667 • https://www.honestweight.coop/ honestslate@honestweight.coop

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Honest Slate

Q&A From the Suggestion Box Q: Please order Chaga Tea bags from Birch Boys. Better tasting and LOCAL (Tupper Lake).

A: Thank you for bringing Birch Boys to our attention. We’ll look into them.

Q: Backside plug for EV charging station not working→ Power fault/charging fault/ lights flash. Car does not charge. Please fix.

Thanks!

A: We have informed our maintenance person about the issue that you have described. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.

Q: Can you sell gluten-free and vegan ravioli more often?

A: La Pasta does not make a ravioli that is both vegan and gluten-free. Their gluten-free pasta contains eggs.

Q: Janiah provided exceptional customer service while working in Juice & Java.

THANK YOU!!!

A: We’re glad to hear that! Thanks for taking the time to let us know.

Q: The water cooler in the café: Suggestion.

Place a small bin under the spout to catch drips. Less messy than a towel or paper on the floor.

A: We’ll make sure our Housekeeping Department keeps a watch for occasional drips. There is no mechanical issue.

Q: Save trees! Please put this note on the bathroom towel dispensers: “Shake hands 12 times, then use 1 paper towel. Thanks!”

A: We share your goal of saving trees. We are reluctant to dictate sanitary procedures to the degree you describe.

Q: Green peppers & other veggies are hard to access. I am short & can’t reach over there. I get covered with water & touch veggies with my coat trying to reach.

A: If you find an item to be inaccessible, please ask a worker for assistance.

Q: Why is there no walnut milk anymore?

It was my favorite + I am allergic to almonds. What happened?

A: Elmhurst discontinued their walnut milk, but we do carry their unsweetened variety.

Q: I was wondering if Lactaid milk singles are still available to us 8 oz. or if we want to keep carrying them.

A: We’re sorry to report that the 8 oz. Lactaid singles have been discontinued by our distributor.

April 2020 Q: Why do we need greeters?

A: We believe they enhance the shopping experience. As the first point of contact, greeters can answer questions and support new shoppers.

Q: Mozaics Potato Sea Salt Potato Chips are missing. Where are they?

A: We’ve been ordering them, but our distributor does not fill our order. We’ll keep trying.

Q: Please carry orange & lemon stevia drops!

A: Sweet Leaf offers neither straight lemon nor orange flavor stevia drops. We stock lemon lime along with other flavors of their water drops with bottled water in Aisle 5. We also have Sweet Leaf sweet drops plus HWFC brand stevia drops in Aisle 1 with the baking supplies, although not available in the flavors that you seek.

p.s. Because You Asked...

We will order a few varieties of Dancing Deer brownies.

Plans for Plants Department Update

To anyone intending to invest time in the Plants Department during the 2020 growing season:

Q: Please have rolls for soup at Concourse location!!

A: Thanks for the suggestion! We will be bringing in some rolls to the Plaza.

• All 3 orientations are canceled at this point! Therefore the “attending an orientation requirement” is lifted for 2020 due to the Covid-19 virus and the various restrictions in place.

Q: PLEASE ASK your staff at the registers to not use essential oils on their hands! Produce ends up smelling like oils and I am allergic!

A: We’ll remind our cashiers about the portion of the employee manual that addresses avoiding strong fragrances.

• Scheduling for outside investment time will not start until the beginning of May, instead of the usual mid-April time frame.

Scheduling will still start on a sliding basis at the beginning but quickly go to everyone who wants to invest time being scheduled... unless the Covid-19 regulations persist.

Here’s a quick review of investing time outside in the Plants Department: people need to be able to lift heavy objects (we will be carrying locally made/bagged mulch weighing around 60-lb. bag), stand for their full shift (there is no longer a picnic table), and be outside in all kinds of foul and fair weather! This is a fast-paced and labor-intensive position. We ask that you seriously consider if this is the best investment choice for you as a Member-Owner at Honest Weight.

• All scheduling questions & forms not yet submitted should be emailed to Shannon: ShannonFriel@honestweight.coop.

• All other questions should be emailed to Carol: CarolSurash@honestweight.coop.

Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Ave. Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667 • https://www.honestweight.coop/ honestslate@honestweight.coop

April 2020

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Honest Slate

Trying to wrangle your fingers just so around a pen to produce new marks is a challenge!

Illustration: Nina Stanley

by Elisa Grimm

Floppy ears? Tittle?

Non-human bellies?

Have I wandered into a Beatrix Potter story?

Although I’m not surrounded by talking cottontails, I am trying something new—at Nina Stanley’s Hand Lettering class in the HWFC Community Room held March 7.

Telling my 9-year-old daughter that hand lettering was basically fancy writing, we walked in to find an array of supplies.

Soon we were putting brush pen to tracing paper to copy practice pages of light upstrokes and heavier downstrokes. Expanding on the “fancy writing” idea, the class discussed the distinctions between hand lettering and calligraphy.

While calligraphy is a form of handwriting that uses a nib pen and follows specific rules, hand lettering is drawing that can be done with any pen. And hand lettering allows for more individual interpretation in each letter.

received

april 03 2020

Q

A

Every grocery store should take lessons from Honest Weight. Through all of this there has been kindness, safe procedures, wonderful product. FABULOUS!!

Thank you for noticing our efforts and taking the time to let us know your thoughts!

As we worked, Nina shared her knowledge about art, graphic design, and printing processes: for example, distinguishing between “font” and “typeface”. Font originally referred to small metal blocks containing letters inserted in the printing press, and now refers to a specific set of symbols of a particular letter size and weight. Typeface refers to the entire family of sizes and weights of one text style, with names such as Garamond or Times New Roman.

“In modern computer usage we could say the ‘font’ specifically refers the piece of code that is used to generate the actual glyphs (symbols),” Nina told Honest Slate.

Nina worked around the room, helping each of us refine our work. She started by instructing us to use a lighter, looser grip than we would if we were writing.

I haven’t had to think about how to write in quite some time, and I felt great empathy for elementary school students. Trying to wrangle your fingers just so around a pen to produce new marks is a challenge; at least I could still employ my familiar death grip while taking notes.

what’s this?

Nina also urged us to focus more on drawing the shapes rather than writing them. She suggested creative strategies to attain the best grip and produce fluid markings. Lefthanders, for example, may find it helpful to work from right to left across the page.

That is easy enough to do with the tracing paper over the practice pages. When working freehand, Nina proposed that you first pencil in from left to right, then work from right to left using your chosen pen for the final product.

While practicing, we described the marks by using anatomical terms designated for letter parts. Who knew that letters have bellies, shoulders, and stems? We also encountered uncommon terms such as “tittle.” For times when “dot” isn’t specific enough you can use “tittle” to refer to the little point above the i and j.

As a Member-Owner and Employee, Nina can be found regularly at the Co-op. She is now offering a four-part monthly class series teaching hand lettering, embellishments, watercolor textures, and Zentangle®.

Plans to repeat the cycle will allow another opportunity to try your hand at drawing letters! Contact nina@ninastanley.com for more information.

DO WE OWE YOU? The Co-op has money waiting for a number of individuals who we cannot locate. If you or anyone you know appears on the following list, the Finance Department urges you to contact the Co-op at your earliest convenience: finance@honestweight.coop.

art: Carla Labarbera Renders

Community groups lift spirits in the form of 518 Rainbow Hunt – Spreading Rainbows Worldwide and Delmar Rocks, for example.

Spot brilliant colors and tiny treasures to share—or even start your own local group!

Gillian Eastwood Eva Foitzik Timothy J. Cowper Maria Kuhsel Oliver Holecek Stephen Dornbush Hank Adams

Alyssa Gallagher Estelle Fach Susan Fuss Laurel Holden Druis Beasley Mark Pranys

Nishi Beharry Lily Ringler Joseph Gietl Kimberly Truitt Elias Saifan Timothy Long

Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Ave. Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667 • https://www.honestweight.coop/ honestslate@honestweight.coop

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April 2020

Honest Slate

COMMITTEE C O R N E R April 2020

HWFC Meeting Summaries

In general, Committees noted adjustments to their focus and work processes due to the global pandemic.

Membership Committee (MC) • Discussed feedback from remaining tabling sessions on Accountability (restorative Justice mentioned as desired influence on process). Various ideas (from comment box) mentioned ensuring consequences.

• Exploring printing Member-Owner-relevant information on MO receipts; requested Board advise if this printing is feasible.

• Cooperative Principles wall hanging was lost in store’s move; requested Board grant permission to recruit person(s) to create new wall hanging.

• Continued review of previous Workplan; will finish 2020 Workplan at future work session.

• Format for MC meetings will include (and report on) Bulletin Board, Suggestion Box, and email from MOs. • Daniel H. shared from January’s Bylaws Panel meeting. Will seek clarification about what happens if MC appointee to Bylaws Panel becomes a Director or GRC Member.

• Most Orientation attendees plan to invest time at 24% level; unsure how many follow through. Learned of possible new person to help lead orientations.

• Confirmed Accountability Policy workshop date (Thurs., Mar. 12, 5-9pm).

• Work on Timeline for Moderation Workshop (sociocracy/dynamic governance) was tabled.

Addendum regarding COVID19/Coronavirus: • Discussed reaching out to MOs to stay connected and determine how our cooperative and committee can be of service (perhaps emails and phone calls, in particular to Seniors and other potentially vulnerable MOs).

• Committee’s requests of Board are not urgent and can be revisited when more normal operations resume.

• Accountability work session has been canceled; MC’s work on Accountability is now on hold.

Environment Committee (EC) • Narrowed scope of projects to what is manageable (Earth Day plans, meeting with John D. to discuss waste management practices, continued research on pallet wrap recycling, plans to attend Department Managers’ Meeting quarterly).

• Due to current global pandemic, shifted focus to research and planning (without intention to implement at this time). Progress on annual work plan continues via Zoom meetings.

Nutrition and Education Committee (NEC) • Collaboratively with Meat, Deli and Specialty Foods Departments (over several months), developed storewide Meat and Poultry policy for Food and Product Manual (to be presented for vote at Membership Meeting).

Communications Committee (CC) • Preparing work plan. Time investments for a variety of editorial and administrative Honest Slate tasks are being recorded.

This article provides a summary of preliminary committee reports submitted to the Board of Directors for the April 7, 2020 Board Meeting. See Board Meeting packet for details.

Full Board-approved committee reports are posted on HWFC’s website.

Requested Board identify any additional tasks or categories to track and include in CC workplan.

• CC members (editorial professionals experienced in copywriting, editing, design and teaching) offered to proofread and edit for fellow committees’ print and electronic communications (flyers, signs, event publicity, etc.) not only to ensure accuracy but also to attract Member-Owner involvement with consistent and clear messaging.

by Stephanie Conde

• Supports suggestion that committees work cooperatively to develop a visual identity for Co-op governance (separate and distinct from established Marketing Department signage). Believes this can strengthen shared sense of membership identity and eventually increase pride in belonging and participating. (This idea does not usurp established familiar imagery, like Arts Committee’s logo.)

• Requested Board approve 20 workplan hours to develop editorial support strategies for committees’ promotional material, and/or to explore possibly offering communication workshops to convey techniques to attract Member-Owner involvement at all governance levels, Member-Owner events and activities. Possibilities include teaching writing for reporting and promotional purposes and introduction to visual design (for flyers, signs, manuals, handbooks, etc.); open to other suggestions.

Elections & Nominations Committee (ENC) • Report to Board on Governance Survey Results (from Oct. 2019 Membership Meeting) available at https://www.honestweight. coop/page/committees-of-the-board-14. html. Copies of Survey Results available at next Membership Meeting.

• Reviewed and revised project list in preparation for April Membership Meeting. New ballot creation process will be followed for any amendment ballots presented at April meeting.

• Debriefed second Governance Workshop presented by Evelyn Wright on Mar. 7 (presentation was well received; Evelyn’s style increased comfort with Board election process). Continue to address increasing Member-Owner interest in committee work (perhaps committee-centric orientations once or twice per year for new and existing MOs). To aid outreach design for increased participation, Yevette was asked to provide several years’ data (excluding names) on Member-Owners involved in Committees and their years of service. continued on page 9

Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Ave. Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667 • https://www.honestweight.coop/ honestslate@honestweight.coop

April 2020

COMMITTEE C O R N E R continued from page 8

• ENC members are individually reviewing revised Nominating and Voting Manual in preparation for Board’s review and approval. Amendments can be made in future to accommodate Bylaws changes.

• Discussed process for producing Voting Handbook, including eliciting Board feedback.

• Board action: (1) approved, with slight revisions, Nomination forms and April Board election dates; (2) okayed ballot creation proposal; and (3) requested election advertising be limited to HWFC social media and Honest Slate.

• Board requested ENC explore: alternate voting options (beyond current in-person voting at Membership Meetings), including benefits and challenges for each; and contingency plans for April Membership Meeting given virus crisis and limit on in-person gatherings.

Governance Review Council (GRC) • Reviewed and okayed Apr. 26 Membership Meeting Notice.

• Corrections to GRC Board Report: Advised Board of preferred wording in several areas and requested to see Spilman and Leach’s 139-page generator report.

• Bylaws Panel will send its language about when ballot boxes will open for voting to GRC; GRC will review by email.

Anti-Harassment ad hoc Committee • Continued policy document review; drafted suggested changes to clarify definitions, incorporate anti-harassment, and ensure roles and responsibilities of Employees vs.

Owners vs. Managers are clear. Redraft will be sent for review and comments to: HR, Operations, Personnel Committee Chair, Member-Owner Coordinator, and Member-Owner Deb Lafond. After incorporation of feedback, policy document will be shared with attorneys (for review), with Member-Owners via in-person or virtual tabling sessions (for input); and with Board (for Member-Owner vote/approval).

Personnel Committee (PC) • Revision of Employee Manual’s Time and Attendance Policies continues, including Manual layout.

Honest Slate HWFC Ownership Statistics (March 2020) • Owners: 12,782 (20 new Owners; 7 redemptions, all due to relocation).

• 614 MOs contributed 6,731 hours.

• Staff: 127 Owner Employees; 75 Non-Owner Employees.

Sales and Fiscal Performance (for 8 mos. ending Feb. 29, 2020) • Ordinary Income decreased $377,560 or 53% to $331,008 vs. $708,568 ($72,344 or 18% under budgeted amount of $403,352).

• Net Income decreased $315,887 or 81%

9 from $390,468 to $74,580 ($88,750 or 54% under budgeted $163,330).

• Costs of Goods were up $229,733 or 2.1% at $11,017,850 vs. $10,788,117 last year (under budgeted $11,089,341 by $71,491 or 0.6%).

• Overall Gross Profit was up $99,000 or 1.3% at $7,663,114 vs. $7,564,114 last year (under budgeted $7,738,075 by $74,961 or 1.0%). Gross Margin was 41% vs. 41% last year (on budget).

• Total Expenses were up $490,345 or 7.29% from $6,855,547 to $7,345,892 (over budgeted $7,334,724 by $11,169).

A Letter from Honest Weight’s Board of Directors Dear Owners of Honest Weight, Some of you may be wondering why the Board has decided to continue to “allow” Member-Owner (MO) time investments at this time.

Our primary goal is to minimize the impact of COVID-19 on the entire HWFC community.

HWFC’s standard operating procedure includes the use of Member-Owner time investments. Several departments have communicated to the Board their reliance on both Staff and Member-Owners during this pandemic. As an essential business, we would not be acting in the best interests of the Co-op or the public by barring MOs from investing time during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition, our CFO has repeatedly stated that HWFC cannot thrive financially without time investments by MOs. COVID-19 has not changed this fact.

We have established early-bird shopping three days a week to increase social distancing for vulnerable shoppers. Staff and MOs benefit from this reduced shopper-density as well.

We have also encouraged MOs who are 70 years of age or older or who have compromised immune systems to refrain from investing time during the pandemic. Many of these MOs have suspended their time investments.

In March, HWFC’s policy adaptations allowed Staff paid coverage and MOs to augment hours by accessing the Hours Bank during the pandemic, promoting self-care and reduced in-store personal contact.

As of April 1, HWFC must follow federally mandated guidelines for staff—the Families First Coronavirus Response Act—which identify paid leave entitlements and qualifying reasons, and require a doctor’s note. These guidelines supplant HWFC’s prior temporary waiver of its requirement that staff produce a doctor’s note. However, Staff without PTO are able to access the Leave Transfer Bank for sickness without a doctor’s note; this policy will be re-evaluated at the April 7 board meeting.

We encourage anyone, Staff or MO, who is uncomfortable working or investing time for any reason during this pandemic to talk to a supervisor or to the Member-Owner Coordinator to review the options that management and the Board have implemented and which are available to Staff and MOs during this very challenging time.

We continually review and are open to revising our policies as needed. We appreciate hearing your perspective.

We wish you good health.

Sincerely, HWFC Board of Directors

Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Ave. Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667 • https://www.honestweight.coop/ honestslate@honestweight.coop

10

Honest Slate

Board Decisions The Board of Directors approved the following decisions at the 6 pm HWFC Board Meeting of April 7, 2020:

The following decisions were affirmed: •Member-Owners investing time on floor or in admin from March 16 to April 30 are to receive double hours.

•Policy of crediting scheduled hours for teacher/practitioner/outreach cancellation

by HWFC will continue to end of April.

letters Thanks for all your many efforts to coordinate/publish Honest Slate. I feel much more aware of and connected to all that it takes to run HW—thank you so much to each and every one of you/us!—Janet Lampman My admiration and appreciation go out to everyone at Honest Weight Co-op who helped to bring changes for safety and for efficacy during this Coronavirus epidemic.

Can you imagine the enormous amount of time, communication, scheduling, physical installation, and rearranging that had to occur for the implementation of an altered store? And all done with grace.

Modified schedules have put more burden on Staff who have been diligently reporting to work day after day, week after week.

•New Owner Orientations suspended until end of April.

•On-site Committee meetings suspended until end of April.

•April Membership Meeting postponed to May 31.

•Annual Budget vote scheduled for May 31 postponed to June 28.

•An Owner shall have met the time-investment requirement to be eligible to vote at the 2020 Annual Membership Meeting, where voting for Directors will occur, if they meet one of the following conditions: Thank you to all of you stalwart people who continue to serve customers and to those of us staying at home.

The Board and other policy makers have been fair and generous to Employees and to Member-Owners with dispensations regarding work obligations.

As an elder, I appreciate the schedule for early hours of shopping on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Admittedly, this assumes that some Staff have to get to the Co-op earlier.

But the advantage to everyone at that time: every surface sparkles; every display is undisturbed; there is a designated person to label your containers, a calm front desk, more carts, and a resemblance of slow motion. Everyone is ready and willing to attend to your needs.

Of course, the maintenance staff as always is especially revered. Thank you everyone for the tireless work you do consistently to keep order and cleanliness. And all done with grace.

I especially want to praise Yevette, the Member-Owner Coordinator, for her unending support and for her continuous, optimistic outlook.—Audrey Troy

April 2O20 Editors & Contributors:

Yevette Buddeau Carol Ostrow Stephanie Conde Courtney Semoff Erin Donahue Janet Sorell Shannon Friel Nina Stanley Elisa Grimm Carol Surash Don Kennison Audrey Troy Janet Lampman Tyler Varese Grace Nichols Contact honestslate@honestweight.coop with questions, comments, or suggestions.

Submissions Policy:

We welcome articles & contributions.

• Preferred maximum length is 500 words.

• Material is published at the discretion of the Honest Slate team.

• Only signed work is accepted.

• Items are edited for length, grammar, and style.

We may consider unsolicited material but encourage individuals to submit ideas or outlines first. Letters to the Editors do not require preapproval.

April 2020 · Owner had sufficient hours at end of March and would have been eligible to vote in April 2020. · Owner attains sufficient hours by end of the month prior to the next RMM (BL 240.2).

•The Hours Bank will be available to supplement accrued hours of those who have consistently invested time at HWFC to complete total number needed in April for May discount and for voting eligibility. If you have an excess of hours needed for May’s discount and voter eligibility, you will not be eligible to use the Hours Bank in April.

The following decisions were made: •MOs investing time on floor or in admin from March 16 to next meeting of the Board of Directors are to receive double hours.

•The policy of crediting scheduled hours for teacher/ practitioner/ outreach cancellation

by HWFC will continue until the next meeting of the Board of Directors.

•New Owner Orientations suspended until next meeting of the Board of Directors.

•On-site Committee meetings are suspended until next Board of Directors meeting.

•Extend until the next meeting of the Board of Directors the suspension of the one-year service requirement and the requirement for a doctor’s note for those Employees with a personal illness to use the Leave Transfer Bank Policy with the modification that FFCRA eligible Employees are not eligible for the Leave Transfer Policy.

•Until the next meeting of the Board of Directors, staff may access sick time accruals without the need to provide a doctor’s note.

•The Board approved the terms for Honest Slate Newsletter Managing Editor/ Designer contract renewal.

•Approval of Human Resources Recruitment and Retention Specialist job description as revised.

•Approval of ad hoc Committee on Anti-Harassment Policy to proceed with their work as requested.

Statement of Purpose:

Honest Slate is a platform for HWFC Membership, Staff, Management, and Governance: promoting transparency, reporting news without bias, and sustaining community.

Honest Slate articles are for informational purposes and are not intended to diagnose or treat disease. Opinions expressed in Honest Slate do not necessarily represent the views or policies of Honest Slate or Honest Weight Food Co-op.

All contents ©2020 Honest Weight Food Co-op; no material appearing in Honest Slate may be reproduced in any form without the express written consent of HWFC.

Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Ave. Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667 • https://www.honestweight.coop/ honestslate@honestweight.coop

April 2020

11

Honest Slate

Co-opportunities: memBer-owner Announcements

by Yevette Buddeau

Member-Owner Coordinator (MOC) The first thought I need to share is that all of us at the Co-op are warmly wishing good health and safety to all in our community. Whether staying home or coming in to work or invest time at the Co-op, we respect your decision. The circumstances that we are faced with are more complex than any we have seen, and our ability to pull together through the challenges is powerful.

To those who may be sick or who may have friends or family who are sick or affected

by Covid-19, I extend my most heartfelt moments of silence for what you are going through. Some may be interested in the NY state of mind website on mindfulness and meditation; check out this link for Headspace.com/ny if this may be helpful to you.

The Co-op will also be posting some helpful videos on social media to keep us connected; check out Facebook and Instagram to see what we’re putting out there.

To Member-Owners who are consistent time-investors but may be short on hours for their discount: please reach out to Yevette at memberservices@honestweight. coop to discuss a donation from our Member-Owner hours bank.

To those with hours to spare in their personal banks, please consider reaching out to Yevette Buddeau (same email, memberservices@honestweight.coop for all communications to Yevette) to donate hours to the donation bank for others in need.

Call for help: This is a sensitive subject considering… well, everything. All Member-Owner hours invested in the store for the period between March 16 and May 5 will be credited as double time. The way things have shifted recently makes Grocery, Front End, and Housekeeping our highest-need departments. Reach out to Katie@honestweight. coop (Front End), StephenQ@honestweight.coop (Grocery), or John.Daubney@ honestweight.coop (Housekeeping) if you

“All of us at the Co-op warmly wish good health and safety to all in our community.” can help. Contact Yevette if you need assistance with setting up your shifts.

We could use people who can cashier from 6–9 am Monday, Wednesday, Friday for our early bird hours and for many other shifts throughout the day as well. If you wish to do your hours when the store is less busy, reach out to Grocery from 1–4 pm to talk about available options. If you are not feeling well, then don’t come in—but do call to let us know.

To those coming into the Co-op for work and investing time, please remember to be sensitive to the experience of everyone around you. Please do not come to the Coop “just to hang out” for your shift because it’s an acceptable way to get out of the house. We are short on people and doing our best to continue to meet the needs of multiple layers of community, so a focused and productive approach to time in the store is paramount.

Please maintain the social dis-

tance of six feet and move out of the space if shoppers need to access the space for shopping. Be aware of the other Staff and Member-Owners around as well, and don’t crowd in with them to get out of the way of the shoppers.

It’s quite a dance these days. If you’re investing time and need a face mask, please stop by the customer service desk to get one to keep for all your shifts.

6'

We also have a unique opportunity to earn hours from home making face masks for Staff and Member-Owners on shift. Interested? Contact Yevette for details. csa home delivery availaBle An announcement from Fox Creek Farm, which usually delivers CSA farm shares to

Interested in joining Honest Weight Food Co-op’s Team as an Employee?

Check out our Employment Page.

Membership Meeting Date Change!

WAS (formerly) April 26 NOW tentatively scheduled for

Sunday, May 31 6 pm • at the Ramada Inn on Watervliet Ave. Ext.

the Co-op during summer months: All CSA shares will be done as home deliveries for the 2020 season. This means you can still have your CSA share from Fox Creek Farm—and you don’t even have to leave your home to pick it up!

Check out their options and order from their website at https://foxcreekfarmcsa. com/. If you know a farmer or CSA farm then consider getting a CSA this year to help our producers during this crisis. Keeping our local economy and producers afloat in the coming months is imperative to our future. curBside pickup: Have you heard that we have started doing limited curbside pickup shopping for Member-Owners, Owners, and some of our regular shoppers who are familiar with our products? Check out our Member-Owner resources page for details on this as well as other HWFC Owner-related updates.

Stay Honest Well

SLATE

Honest Weight Food Co-op • 100 Watervliet Ave. Albany, NY 12206 • 518-482-2667 • https://www.honestweight.coop/ honestslate@honestweight.coop