Committee Corner

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.

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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.

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).