December 2020 Honest Slate

Honest Weight Food Co-op’s Community Newsletter for Membership • Staff • Governance • Management

Honest

Published monthly by the Communications Committee to promote transparency, report without bias, and sustain community.

SLATE

DecemBer 2O2o

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

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

Practicing Gratitude—and Stoicism

by Susan Andrews

to consciously recognize that things could always be worse. Through this practice I have become more accepting and grateful for the cards I’ve been dealt.

Lately, as a result of the pandemic, I have fallen into the trap of focusing too much on what I want rather than being grateful for what I already have. I wake up each morning and think about all the people I can’t see, the places I can’t go, and the things I can’t do. In an effort to rid myself of these unwanted feelings, I decided to do a deep dive on gratitude practices, hoping to garner a few ideas to add into my life.

In the process, I stumbled upon Stoicism.

Yes, that age-old philosophy which most people erroneously think encourages us to “buck up” and accept whatever is thrown our way. Yet this perception is far from the truth. Stoic philosophy reminds us what in life is most worth having and provides us with direct strategies to obtain it. What is most worth having, Stoics tell us, is tranquility, or an absence of negative emotions.

I want to share one of the Stoic strategies I am finding particularly helpful right now:

This strategy invites us to really think about what it would feel like if we lost things from our lives—like the roof over your head, your job, or the ability to live in a nation that doesn’t persecute you for your beliefs, sexual orientation, or gender.

Think about that for a minute. This exercise is meant to put things into perspective, allowing you to see how lucky you truly are. I think this is a very direct way to practice gratitude. When you consider how different your life could be, you really start to gain a sense of gratitude, and that in itself is good for you. It’s no secret: research has definitively shown that people who practice gratitude consistently enjoy a whole host of benefits, including feeling more joy and happiness, stronger immune systems, and better sleep.

Announcing November’s

10~in~10

10~in~10 Winners

• 25 Member-Owners each did over 10 hours in the 10 days before Thanksgiving.

That’s amazing! •Plus, a total of 275 MOs safely and conscientiously invested time during those 10 days.

• Putting all our efforts together to get through the busy season is what it’s all about. Great job!

Our gift card drawing winners were Karin S from Cheese, Delores C from the Front End, and MaryBeth K from Grocery.

honestslate@honestweight.coop

& in December Member-Owners: Invest 10 MO hours from Dec. 15–24 and be entered into the drawing for one of three $50 Co-op gift cards.

HWFC Holiday Hours:

Christmas Eve Christmas Day New Year’s Eve New Year’s Day

12–24 12–25 12–31 01–01

8am–6pm Closed 8am–8pm 10am–8pm

)

So instead of thinking about the people I can’t see, which in my case is my daughter and granddaughter (every Friday night for dinner), I think about how lucky I am to see them at all. Sharing a few hours in the park, or in my backyard, is truly a blessing which I’m sure a lot of people would give their right arm for. When thinking about the places I can’t go, I remember the wonderful home I have with my husband and two dogs. I’m so grateful that I have this. Shelter is a basic need, which unfortunately not everyone is privy to. And in this home, I am able to do, and can do, the multitude of things I love doing. I miss the places I can’t go, but I have enough in my life to keep me quite happy and content.

This season, give thanks for everything that you have—right here and right now. I know I will.

CONTENTS Meet Warren Hamilton ............

Vegan/Primal Compromise........

Book Group Begins!...................

Q&A...........................................

2 3 4 4

Meet Ashley Paige..................... 5 December Board Decisions........6 Committee Corner......................7 Co-Opportunities....................... 8 https://www.honestweight.coop/

2

December 2020

Honest Slate

from the Board

Meet Board Member Warren Hamilton

In his outgoing emails, Warren Hamilton quotes Martin Luther King Jr. and Kobe Bryant, respectively: “True peace is not merely the absence of tension, but the presence of justice” and “Life goes fast, and if you don’t give it your all, you’re gonna regret it.”

Born in Niagara Falls, Warren first came to the Capital Region in fall 1991 to start his first job after college and grad school at SUNY Buffalo, majoring in urban studies and public affairs.

As an Albany resident, Warren began to shop at HWFC regularly and joined in May 2008. He started investing time in Grocery at the Central Ave. store; he continued at our Watervliet location until becoming active in governance and joining our Board in July 2018.

Typically, Honest Weight MOs join committees as a starting point to learn about our organization, getting their feet wet and growing into governance gradually. Thus, Warren served on the ENC for a year, delaying the jump to seek a Board seat until it became clear that his service would be of utility.

“I finally met the call.”

That, and “people kept asking me,” he explained. “They figured I was competent and personable enough.” Finally, when the Board found itself shorthanded, Warren felt that it left little wiggle room to keep a conservative pace. The Board had recently experienced a number of quick departures of elected candidates who discovered the commitment untenable.

For Warren, the decision was based on seeing that things had gotten better and that it was the right time. Describing himself as an analytical problem solver, he related that there is much work, detail, and complexity to Board service. In addition to fulfilling basic duties, each Board member also liaises between the Board and a committee.

by Carol Ostrow

With recent growth in our number and variety of committees, Warren currently serves as liaison to three—Finance, Honest Arts, and most recently as co-liaison to the Anti-Racism Committee (ARC). He envisions ARC’s role as a conduit to improving community culture.

task to make changes; Warren shared, for example, that the Board’s time-saving consent agenda alone took a year to manifest properly.

Like all committees, ARC is open to MO participation. However, due to the need to forge strong relationships among the nascent group, “it is not as fruitful to have people coming and going,” Warren advised.

“Continuity and relationships are sensitive topics, so there is an important difference between ARC and our other, typical committees.

A candid disclosure on our interviewee’s part revealed some reservations about continuing on the Board when his term expires in 2022, “only because it’s so hard, but I’m still inclined to do it. Somebody’s got to do it.” The challenge, Warren said, lies not only in time commitment but also in the intricacy of working on multiple levels: legal, financial, personal, HR, and operational.

“It’s so important that we as a group trust each other, share, and be honest,” he continued. “Now’s not the time to sit on the porch and sip lemonade. We’ve fought and struggled [to be] here. We have to be engaged.”

“Did you participate?”

To those considering deeper involvement, “Use our committees as grooming places for governance participation and attend Board meetings,” he recommended. Noting that we have processes designed specifically to be receptive to MO input, he added, “When people complain, we ask them: ‘did you attend [and] participate?’”

What do you want to accomplish?

“To improve process and procedure.” Other Board members have also picked this up, initiating enhancements. It’s not a simple

What’s so complicated about Board work?

Warren identified

· Personal and professional growth · Helping to better our community

as top benefits of serving on our Board.

Before Staff or MOs propose any new entity, it’s recommended that they closely examine the processes already in place—including recent upgrades. [Readers can find policy changes in our Board decision documents, printed monthly in Honest Slate; see page 6.]

Community involvement is second nature to Warren, who serves as a trustee on the board of his church and sits on the Albany YMCA advisory council. He also previously served on a community police review board but withdrew when dynamics became overly political. continued on page 4

What Is a Consent Agenda?

The relatively new consent agenda works as follows: Items previously discussed by the Board which the Board feels are unlikely to generate a great need for conversation— instead likely to require only a vote—are placed on the Consent Agenda. That way time is saved if discussion proves unnecessary. Otherwise, it goes to the regular agenda and opens up the floor for input and discussion. It functions like a list of affirmations and is decided upon with one overall “omnibus” vote, grouping single items into one vote instead of several.

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

December 2020

3

Honest Slate

Food for Thought : Vegan/Primal Compromise

by Joyce Chicoine, Nutrition and Education Committee

A protein is a compound of amino acids.

There are nine essential amino acids that we must get from food; our bodies do not make them on their own. They help our bodies repair cells and make new ones.

Healthy vegans (that follow the recommendations in the book Forks Over Knives) get protein from a variety of plant sources, including whole grains and legumes. Healthy primal/paleo omnivores (who seek to eat like our primal ancestors did thousands of years ago), on the other hand, avoid grains and legumes and get most of their protein from humanely raised animals.

Despite these major differences, healthy vegans and primal omnivores have a lot in common. Both avoid processed foods with man-made ingredients and instead eat whole, organic fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. Both vegans and primal omnivores have found that they are able to maintain a healthy weight and good health while sticking to their chosen diet.

Is it possible to follow both diets and still be healthy? One way to get the best of both worlds is to alternate meat days with meatless days. Another way is to eat plantbased sources of protein that are also primal-friendly. Happily, such sources of proteins do exist.

Primal/paleo consumers base food choices primarily on what was available to our ancestors over 10,000 years ago.

Plant-based, primal-friendly proteins fall into four categories: pseudo-grains, seeds, nuts, and certain vegetables. While vegans would not have a problem with any of these plant-based options, pseudo-grains (i.e., quinoa, amaranth, buckwheat, and wild rice) are a bit controversial in the primal/paleo community as they were not readily available to early hunter-gatherers.

Pseudo-grains also have a higher carbohydrate and anti-nutrient content (including lectins and phytates) than animal-based proteins. Lectins are proteins that can im-

pair the gastrointestinal lining and result in leaky-gut syndrome. Phytates are “indigestible antioxidant compounds…that bind to minerals such as iron, calcium, and magnesium in the digestive tract and make them more difficult to absorb.” (Primal Blueprint, p. 284) Still, pseudo-grains might not be so bad, if they are prepared properly. Soaking, sprouting, and fermenting are three ways to reduce phytates. Cooking, especially with a pressure cooker, helps to reduce lectins. In addition, there are different types of lectins, which affect people in different ways, so special cooking methods may not be necessary for everyone.

naturally contains a high amount of iron.

Chia seeds are another good source of protein and iron, as well as omega-3 fatty acids (“good” fats), antioxidants, calcium, and fiber. When chia seeds are soaked in liquid, they expand and take on a gelatinous texture, making them useful for raw pudding or as a replacement for eggs in recipes. Chia seeds are also great in smoothies. Pumpkin seeds are also a source of important minerals, “good” fats, and protein. Among a variety of ways to enjoy pumpkin seeds, a popular way this time of year is to take them right out of the pumpkin, rinse off the pulp, and then roast them with a little oil and salt.

There are advantages to pseudo-grains, as opposed to regular grains such as wheat or barley. For one thing, pseudo-grains are free of gluten, a type of lectin that has been linked to autoimmune diseases in some people (Primal Blueprint, p. 282) and is also known to trigger celiac disease. At the same time, this group of plants contains a complete protein, meaning they contain an adequate amount of the nine essential amino acids. There is no need to combine them with other plant-based proteins.

Our last category of plant-based proteins are certain vegetables. The type of vegetables that have the highest amount of protein are legumes, such as chickpeas, lentils, kidney beans, and soy. Unfortunately, legumes are normally excluded from a paleo/primal diet due to their high carbohydrate and lectin content. Still, according to Mark Sisson (author of The Primal Blueprint), fresh peas and green beans are acceptable once in a while if they are cooked properly. Fermented soy products may also be okay on occasion. He still recommends staying away from dried beans, however.

A complete protein contains all nine essential amino acids and requires no combining for optimal nutrition.

Nuts, such as almonds, pistachios, and cashews, are other good protein sources.

Unfortunately, they also contain lectins.

Therefore, the best way to eat nuts is to buy them in raw form, soak them for at least 20 minutes (some people recommend soaking them overnight!), and then dry them in a food dehydrator or oven (set to a low temperature). Ground nuts can be used in the form of nut butters, nut flours (as a substitute for grain-based flours in baking), and nondairy alternatives to milk.

Our next category of primal-friendly plantbased proteins are seeds, such as hemp, chia, and pumpkin seeds. An excellent protein source, hemp seeds have been used in milk and nut-butter substitutes, as well as protein powder supplements. Hemp also

Other vegetables containing a fair amount of protein are potatoes, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, broccoli, avocado, and cauliflower. From a primal/paleo perspective, potatoes may be questionable due to high carbohydrate content. They also rate high on the glycemic index, making them a poor choice for people who have diabetes or are trying to keep their blood glucose from rising too high.

While it may be challenging to adhere strictly to both plant-based and primal/paleo diets on a long-term basis, it is doable short-term. Vegans and primal people can certainly enjoy healthy meals together.

HWFC does not provide medical advice.

Please check with a health care practitioner before treating any condition. See page 6 for all policies and full disclaimer.

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

4 From the Board continued from page 2 After graduating from SUNY Buffalo with dual master’s degrees in public policy and public administration, Warren served with a NYS Senate Fellows program in the early ‘90s, partnered with a representative from Orange and Rockland Counties. Additionally, he worked for a time for the NY State Budget Office, at the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), and with Americorps.

Of those years, Warren believes he learned the most about due process from his time in the budget office. Most recently, Warren has spent the past 9 years as a manager for the Bureau of Contracts, working with finance law. After 30 years of service as a state employee, he is retiring on Dec. 31.

Warren also has a creative side. Since the early 2000s, he has run his own video production and photography business. “I’ve been shooting photos since fourth grade,” he recalled, when he first photographed Niagara Falls (above). Additionally, earlier this year, he began producing a radio show for Albany-based WCAA 107.3, the community radio station of Grand Street Community Arts Inc (GSCA). Focusing mainly on local policy analysis and community development, he conducts interviews every two weeks, prerecording the show from his living room and uploading it to the station.

So don’t assume that his double degrees or impressive résumé give a complete picture.

Warren Hamilton brings his own down-toearth approach to all things cooperative, including serving well on our own Board of Directors.

December 2020

Honest Slate

Q&A Q. Please stock mugs made locally NOT mugs made in China!

Q: How can you promote Fair Trade when you stock housewares made in + imported from China? This should stop.

Q: What happened to the locally made pottery and why are you still stocking mugs, etc., from China? BUY LOCAL! Support our community, Honest Weight. Thanx!

A: We sell many Fair Trade items. Unfortunately, not all items are available from a Fair Trade source. We strive to carry a wide variety of items. Please let us know if you have any Fair Trade recommendations. We would love to carry more locally made pottery. If you know a local potter, please ask them to fill out the vendor form on our website.

Q: Has HWFC thought about decreased, optional, or waived membership fees for Black, indigenous, Latinx, & POC in efforts to fight systemic racism [and] oppression, reflect the diversity of the neighborhood, & remove economic barriers that marginalize groups within our food system?

A: This is something that we are very interested in doing. We’re further exploring a type of solidarity program as a future goal.

from the Suggestion Box Q: Elderberry Springs, Petersburgh NY. A: We do have two elderberry syrup offerings already. We’ll look into Elderberry Springs Farm and evaluate how its syrup may fit into our product mix.

Q: A sink for the front end, please.

A: Unfortunately, adding a sink to the front would be cost prohibitive. We would need to jackhammer the floor for a drain, among other obstacles. The sinks in the café and Bulk are the current options.

Q: More signs reminding customers to write down [PLU: price look-up code; HWFC’s product code] numbers, please.

A: Thanks for your suggestion. We appreciate it.

Q: Could we have a designated cart return area for the east parking lot? Since carts are left in the parking lot.

A: We have a plan to deal with the carts for the winter months. Please stay tuned.

Q: Kudos to Russell! He is one class act: friendly, professional + customer-oriented.

Plus, he works so hard + never laxes. He is such an asset to HW. A: Thanks! We love Russell too! He is “Mr. Dependable.” [Russell Z works mainly in the Grocery Department’s frozen section.]

Book Group to Convene in January Honest Weight’s Book Group will meet to discuss Jon Steinman’s Grocery Story.

Thurs. Jan. 14

7–9pm via Zoom

Log In Online Meeting ID: 792 365 0588 Password: 8b3yJE Or Join by Phone 929-205-6099 or 301-715-8592 Meeting ID: 792 365 0588 Password: 422957 Mention HWFC to get 20% off at the Book House or email memberservices@honestweight.coop for a loaner copy.

Please email membershipcomm@honestweight.coop with questions.

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

December 2020

5

Honest Slate

Up Close & Personal with Ashley Paige Last year I was

planning a party for my goddaughter’s birthday. She had just become a vegan and I was nervous about trying to make her a celebratory cake. Since I have always enjoyed the baked goods at HWFC, I decided to order one there. It was a vegan chocolate cake with chocolate mousse filling and chocolate ganache icing. It turned out to be the best chocolate cake we had ever eaten.

Curiosity about who was behind all these delicious treats led me to find Ashley Paige, HWFC’s Bakery Manager.

Ashley joined the Co-op as a Member-Owner in 2012 and started in the bakery on a 4–7am shift. She was drawn to HWFC because it resonated with her values: the same ones she learned as a child growing up in Pittstown, NY, with a close and loving family—people who cared for one another, the importance of community, and being proud of what they do. “The Co-op has an individual style that makes it feel homey,” she told Honest Slate. She could see the value of the work Honest Weight was doing.

Her mother had steered her to the Co-op where she began buying spices to experiment with new recipes, something she continues to do in the Bakery Department. She began filling in a few paid shifts for staff as needed at the previous location on Central Avenue, where both space and staff were limited.

“It’s more than a job.”

When a part-time staff position opened,

she was hired and eventually became fulltime. Her boss encouraged her to apply for the managerial position when it opened.

Although she wasn’t sure she was up to the responsibilities, he told her, “You can do it!”

She loves that employees are treated as individuals and that management is committed to giving back to staff, stating, “It’s more than a job.”

Ashley studied psychology in college because she was always interested in how people think and behave. She then spent some time in rural Kenya helping to open two medical clinics with her church. She did whatever was needed—from physical labor to watching children while their parents were being treated.

by Gay Malin

Also an avid reader, Ashley favors books that deal with self-help and spirituality; she also likes fantasy and fiction and has read the Harry Potter series many times.

She met her boyfriend just as the COVID pandemic began. As a result, their first date was enjoying a walk together. She likes that they are both focused on mutual growth.

If Ashley could change one thing in the world, it would be for people to understand their own power and realize it’s important how we treat others, as we are all connected. She feels the biggest thing that makes her special is that she constantly wants to improve herself and evolve. She enjoys new experiences and having an open mind. Additionally, she wants us to know how appreciative she is of the Co-op and what HWFC is doing in the community.

In the future she would like to buy a home, perhaps marry, and maybe even write a children’s book.

Ashley Paige is HWFC’s Bakery Manager.

Upon returning to the States she earned an Associate’s Degree in Human Services and spent several years working with children and adults in group home settings while attending culinary school with a bakery concentration. This was her true passion and led to her involvement with the Co-op.

Ashley’s other passions include trying new things such as dance and painting classes.

She likes to work with her hands. Her mom was always involved with crafts and shared this with her children. Ashley also enjoys traveling. “You learn about other cultures and how other people think and live,” she said. “It expands your mind. The more you understand, the less you are judgmental.

You can learn from anyone.”

On her most recent trip to Montreal, she loved that art was part of the city and could be experienced on sidewalks and walls. Future travel plans include Thailand and the Grand Canyon.

I couldn’t help but be curious about what Ashley’s favorite dessert is. In this we share a passion: tiramisu. I hope someday that I can taste one that Ashley makes!

Gay Malin has been an Honest Weight Member-Owner for over 30 years. If you know of a Member-Owner or Staff person to recommend for an interview, please contact us at honestslate@honestweight.coop.

Did You Know?

The Co-op will be closed Dec. 25.

Did you know that we are only closed for 2 days out of the whole year? Yup! Thanksgiving and Christmas are the only days we close. Read the MOC column (page 8) for more about how investment hours work on these days.

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

6

December 2020

Honest Slate

Board Decisions The HWFC Board of Directors approved the following decisions at the 6 pm December 1 Board Meeting: The following decisions were affirmed: • Reappointed Yevette Buddeau as the Board appointee to the Bylaws Panel.

• Authorized Erin Martin, CFO of Honest Weight Food Cooperative, Inc., to apply for and/or manage Legal Entity Identifiers on its behalf and to perform all duties required in connection therewith.

The following decisions were made: • MOs investing time on the floor or in admin from Dec. 1 until the next Board of Directors meeting will receive one-and-ahalf (1.5) hours for each hour invested.

• The Board approved, until the next meeting of the Board of Directors, Employees who are not absent due to COVID-19 related reasons may access sick time accruals without the need to supply a doctor’s note other than for compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

• Extended until the next Board of Directors meeting the suspension of the oneyear service requirement and requirement for a doctor’s note for those 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.

• Suspended on-site committee meetings until the next Board of Directors meeting.

• Revised the MOC job description.

• Corrected March 2020 Board of Directors meeting minutes.

• Amended NEC’s workplan to include 6 hours monthly for EC collaboration.

• Approved the Protections for Victims of Domestic Violence Policy for inclusion in the Employee Manual upon the Personnel Committee’s recommendation.

• Approved the Anti-Racism Committee work plan.

• The proposed revisions to the Accountability and to the Trainings sections of the MO Manual were recommended to the Membership for approval at Jan. 31, 2021’s Regular Membership Meeting upon the recommendation of the Membership Committee.

• Appointed Member-Owner Wendy Hord to the Personnel Committee.

1.5 time investment credit continues until the Jan. 5 Board meeting. We’re so glad to see everyone who is able to come in; thanks for your help. Stay safe!

MO help brings it all together!

See Member-Owner Opportunities, p. 8.

To donate hours to the Member-Owner hours bank, or to request a donation due to COVID-19 hardship, reach out to Yevette at memberservices@honestweight.coop.

Submissions Policy: Susan Andrews David Bulnes Yevette Buddeau Joyce Chicoine Stephanie Conde Erin Donahue Susan Flack

Elisa Grimm Lynn Huntington Don Kennison Gay Malin Carol Ostrow Janet Sorell Tyler Varese

January 31, 2021

MemBership

Meeting

Get all hours and payments up to date by Dec. 31 to be eligible to vote in January.

Board Zoom meetings are first Tuesdays at 6 pm.

Log in online or by dialing 1-646-558-8656, then enter Meeting ID#: 893 5590 4979.

Email BoardAdmin@honestweight.coop for more information.

MemBer-Owners: WE Owe YOU

Decem B er 2O2O Editors & Contributors:

Save the Date

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 first.

Letters to the Editors do not require preapproval.

Contact honestslate@honestweight.coop with questions, comments, or article suggestions.

The Co-op has money waiting for a number of individuals whom 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.

Gillian Eastwood Eva Foitzik Timothy J. Cowper Maria Kuhsel Oliver Holecek

Stephen Dornbush Hank Adams Laurel Holden Mark Pranys Nishi Beharry

Lily Ringler Joseph Gietl Kimberly Truitt Elias Saifan

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

December 2020

Honest Slate

COMMITTEE C O R N E R DecemBer 2O2O Anti-Racism Committee (ARC) ∙ Submitted two subcommittee work plans to Board: Anti-Racism Training Subcommittee, Anti-Racism Human Resources Subcommittee.

Nutrition and Education Committee (NEC) ∙ Food & Product Manual (FPM) updates: Reviewing existing Seafood Policy for updates. To meet with management in January for FPM revision feedback and to discuss farm visits (including how NEC could help). ∙ December’s Honest Slate article will compare vegan and paleo diets’ ability to supply complete dietary protein. ∙ EC member visited to discuss cooperative FPM packaging guideline development. EC will lead initiative, keep NEC informed via Zoom as needed. Requested Board approval for estimated 6 hours NEC time monthly.

Elections and Nominations Committee (ENC) ∙ Board tabled discussion of Bylaws Panel (BLP) recommendations of Bylaws changes referencing ENC. ENC to review whether BLP recommendations accurately reflect ENC’s current tasks; will meet to discuss. ∙ Discussed how BLP recommendations impact Bylaws, Manual, and Handbook. For Bylaw 461.1, agreed to include “coordinating a collaborative elections process” and delete other recommendations. ∙ BLP and ENC came to agreement on ENC Bylaw proposals. Will present Bylaw 461.1 to Membership for approval including language reflecting that ENC responsibilities shall include: coordinating collaborative elections process, ballot development, and accurate counting procedures; assisting in recruitment of Member-Owners (MOs) to serve on Board and GRC. ∙ Voted unanimously to rename Nominating and Voting Manual to Nominating and Voting Guide pending requested Board approval. Will present Guide for Board approval. ∙ Reflections on October GRC Election: Created two subcommittees to: (1) develop ENC’s mission statement to identify committee focus; and (2) update vote counting procedures and include new electronic voting. Will conduct more meetings during election seasons.

7

A summary of preliminary committee reports submitted to the Board of Directors for their 6 pm Dec. 1, 2020, Board meeting. See Board meeting packet for details. Full Board-approved committee reports are posted on HWFC’s website.

by Stephanie Conde Experienced confusion regarding voting ballot final language. With virtual meetings, ballot development time frames are short and require final language before posting to website. ENC requested via its Board liaison that Board Administrator send ENC final language for ballot creation before October’s MM. Request that Board identify Board Administrator as independent source during virtual meetings to receive Board-approved final language for ballot inclusion. ∙ In preparation for Jan. 2021 MM, ENC spokesperson at Board meeting will remind Committee Chairs to identify committee members who would be good candidates for Board or GRC. ∙ Update of Election Operating Procedures, Ongoing Maintenance: Lieta will lead ENC’s working handbook updates. Handbook sections assigned to ENC members for completion by Mar. 31, 2021. Individual progress to be reported at Jan. committee meeting. ∙ Communication among chairpersons.

ENC has 3 chairs; not all can attend every Zoom meeting. Since committee’s report contains no key decision details, nor reflects meetings’ robust nature, would like to use Zoom’s record feature so all 3 chairs can benefit from meeting playback of rich in-depth discussions. Requested Board permission to record ENC Zoom meetings and, for a limited time, make available to ENC chairs only. ∙ Submitted proposed 2021 work plan for Board’s Jan. meeting.

Personnel Committee (PC) ∙ Continues Employee Manual revisions. ∙ At Board’s request, submitted updated Domestic Violence Policy draft after reaching out to local organizations fighting domestic violence. ∙ In response to HWFC Employees’ requests, requested Board advise whether PC can explore creation of stipend policy for employees to purchase necessary gear for work.

Bylaws Panel (BLP) ∙ Continued discussions from Oct. 13 & 20 meetings in response to Board’s request regarding responsibilities of ENC in Section 461; finalized draft language.

∙ Reviewed language developed as a response to earlier Board request regarding Section 420.3(a) and GRC request regarding Section 420.4; finalized draft language. ∙ Planned remote information sessions on Nov. 15 & 17 to elicit feedback on proposed language. ∙ Requested Board and GRC provide feedback on working draft of Bylaws.

Communications Committee (CC) ∙ Honest Slate team continues to strengthen and grow. Article ideas are always welcome.

Honest Arts Committee (HAC) ∙ “Renewal” virtual show is on HWFC website and social media. Will ask participating artists if they’d like work hung in store. ∙ “Black Lives Matter” virtual show: call for art was released; jurying of submissions on rolling basis; exhibit to run at least through Jan. 2021. ∙ “Feast or Famine” virtual show: call for art will go out Jan. 2021 with HAC members jurying submitted works on a rolling basis. ∙ In-store show to include rotation of work previously displayed. Will inquire of artists whose work was previously featured if they’d like work displayed again until regular in-store shows resume. ∙ Requested Board approve 2021 work plan.

Membership Committee (MC) ∙ In-person orientations cancelled due to increased COVID cases; orientation leaders cover COVID protocol for in-store time investment. Possible addition of floor time-investment training, cooperative customer service material. Discussed in-store safety protocols including knife handling, heavy lifting, etc., and developing materials for possible inclusion. ∙ Membership Engagement via Book Discussion. First event scheduled for Jan. 14 via Zoom. Six store copies of Grocery Story arrived; loaning program underway. HWFC community gets 20% discount at Book House (Stuyvesant Plaza). Book Club planning/work session scheduled Dec. 2 (4–6pm). continued on page 8

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

8

Honest Slate

Co-opportunities: mEMBER-oWNER

by Yevette Buddeau, Member-Owner Coordinator (MOC)

DecemBer already? 2020 is in the

bag now! Hang in there, we’re pulling it off together and every interaction is one that can help us feel supported in this landscape. Thanks for being here in whatever way works best for you!

Want to help out in a department that

really needs the help? Looking for a way to add a shift here and there to your already stable schedule in your home department?

Looking for a way to get back into investing time after some time away? Help out in the Grocery Department! Grocery is looking for people to help with the graband-go case, the dairy coolers and walk-in coolers, shelf cleaners and routine small departmental maintenance helpers, one tea stocker in addition to the wonderful person they have, sale sign hangers, and auditors. Various hours are available and shifts may be done at low-traffic times of day. Reach out to Georgia.Sullivan@honestweight.coop to talk specifics.

We still need help with interactive outside counters and cleaners at the entrance of the store, especially on December 21 and December 28. Other shifts are available; reliable weekly schedules are preferred.

Please note, on cold days the counter/ cleaner person can be moved to just inside the door. Reach out to DanH@honestweight.coop or Stephenq@honestweight. coop to sign up.

To see all updated MO opportunities, pop on over to our website’s membership tab.

Technical info alert! Brush up on

your Co-op and Membership info by reading on.

We’re getting ready for the January Membership Meeting already, and many Member-Owners will be making sure to get their hours and payments up to date by Dec. 31 in order to vote at Jan. 31’s Membership Meeting. Remember, a single MO needs only 3 hours per month to be a monthly MO (8% discount) and 12 hours per month to be a weekly MO (called weekly to denote that 3 hours per week will attain the 24%

Announcements

discount). A 2-person household commits to a combined 4 hours for the monthly MO status and a combined 16 hours monthly (4 weekly) for the weekly MO status.

Member-Owner status, and voting rights, are about meeting that commitment. If you want to change your commitment, often called your goal, you simply need to reach out to Yevette at memberservices@ honestweight.coop before the month’s end in order to be set for the next month.

You may also leave a note at the service desk; we catch up on those every few days.

holiday hours

Have you wondered how holiday hours shake out for MOs at HWFC? We have two types of holidays: holidays when we close the store and holidays when we stay open.

We close on Christmas and Thanksgiving; MOs will be granted time for those days if they have invested time in their department on the same weekly day as the holiday for 9 out of the preceding 12 weeks.

To simplify, if Christmas is on a Friday then MOs who invested time on 9 (or more)

COMMITTEE C O R N E R continued from page 7

∙ Continuing outreach calls to MOs who invested time between Sept. 2019 and March 2020 but not since COVID. MOs encouraged and needed in-store if able and comfortable. Calls inform MOs of COVID protocol, current 1.5-hour policy, departments in greatest need. Will update script to include 10-in-10 program. ∙ MO Manual revisions on accountability, anti-harassment policy, trainings (based on feedback from sessions held in Nov.) were submitted to Board with request to include for MO vote at January regular MM. ∙ Bulletin Board: Update signage (obit policy, committee email, Zoom meetings, Book Club promo, etc.). ∙ New member joined the committee after unanimous vote to approve.

December 2020 Interested in joining Honest Weight Food Co-op’s Team as an Employee?

Check out our Employment Page. of the 12 Fridays leading up to Christmas will be granted an average of the hours they did for those Fridays. For Thanksgiving, MOs were given their averaged time if they invested time for 9 or more of the 12 Thursdays leading up to Thanksgiving.

For holidays when we stay open, MOs will receive time and a half for the hours that they invest on the holiday. The holidays when we stay open are New Year’s Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day. MOs who invest time on the store-open holidays will receive 1.5 hours for each hour invested that day.

All holiday hours are entered into MO accounts the same way, regardless of whether the store was open or closed. Our IT department runs the reports to pull up all the people who qualify and then puts the hours in before the end of the month.

We sure do love IT! Reach out to Yevette at memberservices@honestweight.coop if you have any questions about your hours.

Sales and Fiscal Performance (for 4 mos. ending Oct. 31, 2020)

∙ Ordinary Income increased $42,623 or 18% to $274,887 vs. $232,264 last year ($176,834 over budgeted amount of $98,053). ∙ Net Income increased $82,344 from $76,548 to $158,892 ($162,589 over budgeted loss of $3,697). ∙ Costs of Goods were up $244,915 or 4.6% at $5,576,041 vs. $5,331,126 last year (under budgeted $5,624,288 by $48,247 or 0.86%). ∙ Overall Gross Profit was down $61,020 or 1.62% at $3,711,515 vs. $3,772,535 last year (under budgeted $3,771,469 by $59,954 or 1.6%). Gross Margin was 40% vs. 41% last year (on budget). ∙ Total Expenses were down $103,644 or 2.93% from $3,540,271 to $3,436,628 (under budgeted $3,673,415 by $236,787 or 6.5%). ∙ EBITDA decreased by $42,189 to $390,507 v. $432,696 last year (over budgeted $211,948 by $178,560).

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