Sevananda Fall Membership Meeting Minutes
October 23, 2011
1:00PM – 4PM
Highland Inn, Atlanta, GA

Members were welcomed and thanked for their participation. Board of Directors members welcomed member-owners on behalf of the board and new GM, Tom Pawlenko.
Board member, Rex Batson assisted in collecting additional agenda items from the general membership. An explanation was given by Ahzjah Simons, Marketing & Outreach Manager, who served as MC—about the process of incorporating additional agenda items into the meeting process. A brief overview was given about the Taste of Sevananda Marketing Campaign by the Marketing and Outreach Manager.
The incoming Member Services Manager, Holly Blain, who also served as the 2011 Chair of the Nominating Committee, gave member-owners an overview of the activities of the Nominating Committee and their responsibilities.
The chair introduced the 2011 Nominating Committee: Betsy Abrams, Douglas Keller, Debra Bonaparte, Smitty, and Holly Blain, Chair. The terms of board service were explained, acknowledging that the normal term of service is 3-years, but since Sevananda did not have an election in 2010, the Nominating Committee developed a mechanism for getting the co-op back on track with its normal cycles by creating staggered terms for the 9- director seats for those on-boarding in 2011-2012. The terms are as follows: top 3- three vote getters serve a 3 year term; the next three top vote getters serve a 2-year term; and bottom 3-serve a 1-year term.
Therefore, in the spring of 2012 there will be 3-seats open to refill.
The Chair of the Nom Comm & Member Services Manager explained the duties of the Nominating Committee as outlined in Article III of Sevananda’s bylaws. The Chair then outlined the commitment schedule for 2011-2012 that the Nom Comm members are expected to adhere to. The Nom Comm Chair also acknowledged the 2011-2012 Board Liaison to the Nom Comm, Kijai Turpeau.
Bylaw Amendments
Member-Owners were then introduced to the four proposed bylaw amendments for consideration. These were outlined by the Member Services Manager, Holly Blain. It was explained that if one person blocked consensus, that the vote would not carry and the proposal would have to be reconsidered at the spring 2012 member meeting. Member-Owners voted on each of the proposals. All for proposals were blocked.

The nominating process was open for 2011-20120 Nominating Committee and member-owners voted for the following member-owners to serve as the 2011-2012 Nominating Committee:
Abdualla Muqtsaid; Chris Smith-Hale; Zola Peek; Damali Cruz; Felton Eaddy; Tracy Thomas; Brian Sherman; and Sandy Dwyer.

The Board Chair, Calvin Vismale provided an explanation of the process for recruiting board committee members, and gave an overview of each committee’s roles and responsibilities. Committee Profile Forms were disseminated to all interested Member-Owners in attendance. There was Q& A regarding committee service.
With the final 20-minutes of the meeting, member-owners were to transition into small groups, but decided instead to have a discussion regarding earlier bylaw proposals, and why consensus was blocked.
The GM gave the member-owners a State of the Co-op report. In the report he confirmed that the past couple of years have been difficult for Sevananda, but that the Interim General Management Team (IGM) reduced expenses for the coop, and managed to keep expenses down. He also reported that he is working to lower costs on Sevananda’s bank accounts.
The GM reported on the Marketing Department’s contract with Tin Roof Advertising and Design to create a new brand for Sevananda. The campaign, A Taste of Sevananda will be focused on increased sales, awareness, member-owners and shoppers—with a target of 4,000 members—an increase of 800 by the end of 2011.
The GM reported that this year’s 3rd Qtr was up by 4%, and that the customer count is increasing—2.9 % overall and 1.8 in October. The GM noted that these were positive trends, but the store has to get sales stabilized. He shared benchmarks with member-owners and reported on the Airport bid. Sevananda is participating in a bidding process with Hartsfield Jackson Airport for a concession at the Airport. The co-op will inform member-owners if the bid is accepted. There are no costs to Sevananda to participate in the bid process.
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Respectfully submitted: Carolyn Renée, Board Liaison Digitally Recorded 10/ 23/11

Hey everybody

We thought it might be a good idea to create a blog in addition to the Member forum for us to be more interactive. This is my first time, and a virgin moment, so here goes…

I’m Ahzjah, the marketing manager for Sevananda Natural Foods Market. I’ve been on board with the co-op for about seven years now. What a ride! During my time here, I’ve seen lots of changes, ups and downs and more. I must say, this is a very exciting time as Sevananda pretty much rebirths itself. New Board, new GM, new initiatives, new Member drive, new marketing plan, new focus, and new training is underway for staff. I just want to say a quick thanks to all of you who have supported Sevananda from its original birth ‘til now. That means the Ananda Marga Members, charter Member and anyone else who served their time here or spent your dollars here, and helped us get to where we are now.

Thank you for having the vision, passion, and courage to create and support something like this in a time when it may not have been well-received, but was very necessary. I think the cycle is completing itself as we seem to once again be coming into a time when we have to step up, be courageous and not just set the stage for the next level of food integrity and food safety, but to actually play a role and be the change-agents to see us through this very interesting time of corporate, governmental, and cosmic control. It’s the time of CHANGE. Changing of the guards, change of mindsets, change from old to new regimes, and change from old ways of doing things to the new. Lots of kicking and screaming during the transition, but if we can stay focused on our goal with strategic plan, we’ll get there.

Co-ops provide the perfect vehicle for social change. They’re not just brick and mortar. They truly are the movement of people. The co-op is just the tool the people can use. The idea is to be unified and cohesive. So Sevananda is stepping into their higher level expanded place to lead the charge and provide not just quality food, but quality resources and information so that we can be an educated, cohesive force to be reckoned with. Four thousand Members strong is this year’s goal. Armed and ready with a triple-bottom-line focus, to bring about environmental, social, and financial change, there’s nothing we can’t do. Send us your ideas, thoughts and concerns. Check out our new introductory Member sampler program, Taste of Sevananda. It’s pretty cool. We’ll have gifts, freebies, discounts, and of course great products and services. Join us! I’ll see you at the co-op!

In Joy,
Ahzjah

At Sevananda we are very proud to have had Member Workers in one form or another since we opened in 1974, and we rely on our working Members to accomplish many of the tasks that are very important to the running of the store. If you’re not already a Member Owner, please get a brochure on how to join from the Customer Services staff or at a register.

Sevananda is a consumer-owned co-operative. We are a business owned and operated (in the form of the Board of Directors and the GM) by the people who shop here. One of our Member Owner benefits is the opportunity to apply for a position in the Working Members Program volunteering your time in exchange for a discount every time you shop.

Why should I do this?
There are many reasons to become a volunteer here. Some Member Owners like being able to become more involved in the co-op and its day-to-day workings. Some people want to learn more about natural foods in general. Some people want to be able to just meet new friends and try their hand at something different. Many find that their work at Sevananda adds variety to their life and gives them a chance to walk their cooperative talk a bit more.

How does it work?
Working Members give time to the co-op in the form of a 3-hour shift each week in exchange for a discount on purchases. Just like your regular job, you get paid (in discount) the week after you work; it does not automatically happen after your shift is over. After you’ve worked your shift you receive a 20% discount at the register the following week. This discount is good anytime that you shop at Sevananda during that week. All discounts are activated on Mondays. The discount runs Monday-Sunday.

How do I apply?
All Sevananda Member Owners are eligible to apply to be part of the program. Orientation for the program is the first Monday of each month at 7 pm in the Education room. Simply pick up an application at the Customer Services Desk. Please keep in mind that application to the program is open to all Members but does not necessarily mean that all applicants will be hired for a position, or that you will be placed immediately after orientation. Placement and starting a shift is dependent on departmental needs at that time.

Although there are not always specific skills we look for, we need responsible people who will be able to make and keep a 3-hour-a-week commitment to Sevananda for at least six months. Hiring will also depend on whether or not an applicant’s time schedule is compatible with the needs of the store.

What happens next?
Once accepted into the program and after completing the required orientation, you will be assigned a department, an apron that you can keep while a WM (and if lost, replace for $10) and a name badge, and shown how to clock-in and out in order for your time to be tracked. The department you’re assigned to will show you how to do the work required and you will report to them weekly.

What if I want to work but can’t commit to a regular shift?
If you want to work but know you cannot make the commitment, please wait and apply at a time when you can.

What are the departments and general duties?
Produce Department
Stocking, packaging produce for reduction/donation/composting
Wellness Department
Cleaning, stocking bulk herb jars, and fronting shelves
General Merchandise Department
Stocking incense & books, cleaning and straightening
Deli/Bakery
doing dishes, assisting with food prep, packaging, working at the hot bar
Front End
Welcoming folks, getting carts/baskets, helping find product, bringing in carts from parking lot
Admin Department
Filing and data entry, organizing, cleaning, health fairs assistance

Other positions may occasionally be available for general store maintenance, administrative tasks or other needs the Co-op may have at a given time. To apply for the Working Members program pick up an application at the Customer Services desk or download it here 2011 Working Member Application

Hey Good People,
Our 2011 Member Drive begins September 1st and ends October 31st. Our goal is 4,000 Members by the end of the year. We’re excited to spread the word about all the great things Sevananda has to offer and our new Taste of Sevananda Member sampler is just the thing to get the Drive off to a great start!
As staff at Sevananda, one of our goals is to support the growth of our co-op. Co-op principle number two states that we offer open and voluntary Membership, so we’re careful not to pressure anyone into joining. We just educate about what Sevananda represents and offers to both shoppers and Members, and continue to share our own personal stories while working here. We’re pretty proud of the triple bottom line focus which is one of the ways we’re unique and different from our competition. Our focus is not just profitability, but an equally tiered approach of business practices that holds us accountable financially, environmentally, and socially. Learn more about us on the About page or just come on down and sample your own personal Taste of Sevananda.
If you are a current Member Owner, we urge you to tell a friend about Sevananda. If you get someone to enter our free introductory Member sampler card (see details on Member sampler by clicking on Member sampler icon), you’ll get a gift. And if they join, you’ll get an additional $10 gift certificate. So join us in the 2011 Member Drive and let’s grow together!

Kelley Colihan

Kelley started shopping at Sevananda almost 10 years ago. “What do I like best? Hmmm. I love the Hot Bar. There’s a good selection of local, organic foods here. I like that the store is small and there aren’t long lines. The prices are better than other places, too.” Kelley enjoys trying new things – like black quinoa, which she tried recently for the first time. She would love if Sevananda could provide a wider variety of unusual international foods.. “It would be nice if Sevananda would offer naturally caught game and fish, as well.”

Sevananda has long had a Courtesy Card Program for shoppers who might not be financially able to afford a Member Ownership in the store, but want to be able to shop here. With this card a 5% discount is given at the register each shopping trip. Member Owner benefits are not included. Monthly 10% coupons, patronage rebate checks and voting rights are not available for someone in the courtesy card program.
To qualify for this discount you must present WIC, SSI, AFDC, Fuel Assistance, Welfare or EBT/SNAP benefits information showing both income level and number of people in your family. A copy of this documentation must be attached to an application with your contact information. This will be compared to the US Government’s national poverty standards to see if you qualify.
Sevananda actually allows a person or family to make up to 10% more than the national poverty standards since Atlanta is an expensive place to live. If qualified, you will be contacted and a card made for you. Cards expire December 31st of the current year, and to continue this program you must reapply in January of the next year. The application is available at the Customer Services desk for your convenience.
For any questions or concerns, please contact Holly in Member Services at Holly@Sevananda.coop or 404.681.2831 ext.113