[cgfc] Organizational Structure Meeting July 14, 2005 Minutes

[Jeanne Higgs]

Organizational Structure Meeting July 14, 2005
Present: Melissa Orlie, Julie Ziles, Beth Rockenbach, Jeanne Higgs, Molly 
Stentz

Hard copies to be posted on bulletin board

Beginning of notes is simply questions we came up with/ things that could be 
explored and thought out more in depth.

What do we want to explore?
-talk about staff/board/IDF/member relations/ structures
  -how do these relationships/structures influence each other?

What is the role of the member in the co-op structure?
-What are the ethics and principles inherent to members?
-possible membership orientation to learn more about what the co-op is how 
it’s governed
-what is workplace democracy?
-is the ultimate responsibility of the co-op (and the coordinators) to the 
membership or to the greater good of the group?
-how can membership contact board/ what are the channels of communication?
-people’s voices (membership) are inhibited by lack of financial information

Areas of importance for strategic planning

1. What is the role of voluntary labor?
              -working creates community
              -need to be clear expectations and training for workers
              -relationship needs to be mutually beneficial
              -need to track worker programs/ possibly hours
                  -talked about Park Slope as an example of a successful 
worker collective food
                    Co-op. Ability to compete is enhanced because of reduced 
labor costs.
		-brings in talent/resources and expertise
            -need for better organization of workers and training
            -communication to/from workers and coordinators will be 
improved/ easier w/    greater organization
            -working not simply a right, but also a responsibility
            -often no work for workers, coordinators have to leave work they 
are doing to   find things for workers to do, not always efficient

Different options for volunteer labor
         -interviewing for positions open
         -more clearly defined roles for workers
         -trial period as one hour worker with ability to move up to core 
worker
         -possible different values for different types of work
         -need for manual that delineates what is expected of workers and 
consequences
          when expectations are not met
         -coordinator to manage/train workers

2. Board and Staff Relationships/ Structures and Co-op and IDF relations
        -board has become more proactive has more authority than previously 
(there was a period where the co-op had no board and in its absence 
coordinators made many of the decisions traditionally taken by a board).
        -this will be discussed further in next meeting, but was identified 
as an area of importance


3. Importance of co-ops social/ political and economic role
   -store as a positive alternative to other commercial venues
   -ability to educate/ inform people
   -need to emphasize the importance of co-op as economic alternative
   -tied into membership orientation and strengthening our relationship with 
the membership
   -this fits in social lever group, but we see the need for structures to 
be created to make explicit the co-ops social/political/economic role

Next meeting will take place Thursday, August 4th at 6pm in the IDF 
building. Room to be announced for more information contact 
jhiggs93 at yahoo.com Come join us!