Board Happenings: October 2017

– Election results are in! Welcome to our three newest Board members: Jacquelyn Berggren, Andrew Morse, and Scott Wirtz. We also want to wish a heartfelt farewell to our outgoing Board members, Amber Mann, Kristel McClenahan, and Dan Heit. Amber, Kristel, and Dan have been involved with the Co-op from it’s very first planning session, and their contributions to the Co-op have been immeasurable. 
 
– We’ve been steadily gaining new members to our committees, but we still need more help. If you’d like to volunteer, contact Melanie Drake at outreach@cedarfallsfood.coop
 
– We had a great time at our Annual Member Meeting/Potluck. We’ve had a banner year, and we anticipate more of the same this coming year. 
 
– We’ve been moving forward with finishing our Pro Forma and meeting with local banks, which is an important element in our next stage of development. 
 
– We’ve also been having discussions with developers concerning future site locations. We can’t say too much yet, but we want you to know that these conversations are starting to happen and they seem very promising. 

Love Your Co-op Month

Change your Facebook profile picture for Love Your Co-op month!

The whole month of October is dedicated to showing how much you love your co-op! We would like to encourage all of our supporters to use our new profile picture on Facebook to show your support. We also know a lot of our members love to shop at other co-ops, and we want to hear about it! When you visit your favorite co-op, send us a selfie, tag us on Facebook, and tell us why you love co-ops!

Vote For Your Board!

Board elections are now open! Learn about your candidates and vote today!

The goal of the Cedar Falls Food Co-op is to be a locally owned and democratically run grocery store. This includes offering our members the opportunity to choose who will serve on the Board of Directors to make decisions about how our business is run. This year we have four amazing candidates running for three open positions. Voting began on September 20th, and the deadline is Tuesday, October 24th, at 7pm. To learn more about our candidates, visit: https://rootedcarrot.coop/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/CFFC_Board_Candidate_Statements-2017-1.pdf

Voting is conducted through an online service. If you haven’t received an email with the link to vote, contact Dan Heit at gtthrills@mchsi.com.

Board Happenings: September 2017

  • We’ve had a lot to celebrate this past month: The summer celebration event at the Octopus was great, we were featured in the Courier, and we have 4 amazing candidates for our open board positions!
  • Our annual Member Meeting is coming up on October 24th. This is a great time to get a full update on the state of the Co-op. Check out the article in this month’s newsletter for more details.
  • We’re busy mapping out our next steps, including finishing our pro forma, preparing for our capital campaign, and researching potential store sites.

Are You Board Material? Help Lead the Co-op During the Most Exciting Stage of Development

As the terms of the Board of Directors are staggered, this summer we will once again have an opportunity for Co-op members to run for election to the Board. Every year 3 seats are open, and each term is 3 years. Full details about how to become a candidate for the Board of Directors are on the Co-op’s website. The deadline to submit an application for candidacy is September 9.

 

I invite you to consider joining in this effort. It is demanding, but extremely rewarding work. As we get closer to opening our doors, you be part of the leadership that oversees the transition from our development stage to an actual, physical grocery store. That’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

Board Happenings: August 2017

Take a minute to see what your Board has been up to lately!

– We now have over 650 member-owners! This has been an amazing summer, and we wouldn’t have been able to do it without our amazing volunteers.
– If you’re interested in serving on the Board, you still have time to turn in your application. Mailed packets need to be postmarked by September 7th, and those that are emailed need to arrive before midnight on September 9th.
– Be sure to join us for the Fall Food Fest on September 26th. This will be our fourth (!!) year hosting this event, and it’s a great chance to sample foods from vendors that we hope to have at the co-op. See you there!

Drive Home the Savings (and don’t forget the take-out)

Foodies rejoice! Join us in welcoming two new locally owned restaurants to our Business Partners.  But that’s not all! Car aficionados will appreciate discounts at a local repair shop. Read on….

If you haven’t had a chance to check out Urban Pie yet, now’s your chance! Co-op member-owners will receive 15% off of their dine in order. Fresh to the downtown foodie scene (since February 2017) Urban Pie’s pizzas are a fresh take on an old staple. Urban Pie is a “fast casual, family-friendly restaurant. We create high quality Neapolitan-inspired pizza in an on-the-go setting. Eat in or take out, it’s all good with us.” They offer a fast-fired pizza, cooked in a high temperature open flame oven. Their menu includes several great pizza topping combinations, all fully customizable to your taste. Wings, breadsticks, and dessert pizza are also featured. If you’re thirsty, you may order any of eight beers on tap! Check them out here: http://www.urbanpiecf.com/ . Continue reading

From the Board President: Membership vs. Ownership – Even We Mix ‘Em Up

 

I’m a card-carrying member of an elite group, a membership-based organization that rarely makes national or local news. I joined in the late 1980’s, and I still proudly have the card. One thing that I’m proud of is that it’s so secret. In fact, it’s so obscure; I’ve never met another member. Yes, in full confession, I’m a member of the Oingo Boingo Secret Society.

Over the years, I’ve been a member of many other organizations – museums, gyms, even the PPFA. I’ve known others who are members of Boy Scouts, AARP, the Sierra Club, and the NRA, although probably not all at once. What organizations are you a member of?

Right now in my wallet, I have a membership card issued by the Cedar Falls Food Co-op. But is it really correct to call it a “membership?” The newer cards say “Member-Owner” on them. What’s the difference, and why does it matter?Continue reading

More Sweet Deals for Cedar Falls Food Co-op Member-Owners!

Chotto House is a membership based business, but their store, cafe, and classes are open to the public.  They specialize in bubble teas, coffee, smoothies, crepes, pastries, and classes! What kind of classes do they offer, you ask? So far, they have taught a cake decorating class, with more to come including lessons on Thai cuisine and kid’s activities! If you’re in the mood for shopping, Chotto House can help you there as well, as they offer items that would make a perfect gift. Chotto House knows the value of supporting local businesses, so they signed up right away to be a business partner! Co-op member-owners can become automatic members (show your Co-op membership card) of Chotto House and receive one free class per month, plus one free bubble tea, smoothie, or crepe per month.  Also, if you bring a friend, they will receive 1/3 off the price of a class! Sweet deal, right! Check them out on Facebook and online: https://www.chottohouse.com/about.

Don’t forget to take advantage of all the co-op member discounts you are eligible for. Check on who all our business partners are here: https://rootedcarrot.coop/business-partner-specials/.  The savings really add up!