Growing Pains: How you can help your co-op go to the next level.
In the past year, the Co-op has
- reached a record 500 members
- increased traffic and sales by 10-15%,
- hired a part-time purchaser
- bought a commercial freezer
- seen our volunteer rate drop from 7% to 3% of membership. 😥
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We don't have the resources to hire staff and yet there is a greater demand on the existing volunteers and purchaser to do more and more. Unfortunately, this situation is not sustainable and so we are asking your help in making decisions on how to remedy the situation.
We are proposing some ideas and we want to hear yours, too! Please provide your feedback in this quick quiz; CLICK HERE NOW to give us your thoughts. Your opinion is most welcome. Your help is even more welcome! Ask any of the volunteers in the store how you can get involved!
and now... Read on to learn the Co-op's latest news!
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The New Freezers are In!!
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After several months of research, planning, financing and orchestrating, the co-op has 2 new freezers and a re-organized space.
A Big Thanks to Lumby's Ace Building Centre for the Forklift help!
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Thanks also in particular to Kristin Wills, board member and volunteer, who spearheaded this effort. Many volunteers also contributed. Thank you so much for more convenience, space, display and delight to spend time in our
Little Co-op That Can! 😉
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Our Produce, Dairy and Freezer sections are now more enticing!
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Bright new space and easier to move around!
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DID YOU KNOW.... Due to our new purchaser's efforts and our happy shoppers, we had an increases of 11.6% sales in June.
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🚢 Welcome Aboard, Sylvie!
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Sylvie Desjardins, co-op member is now working with Julie Jones on finances and bookkeeping. 📈
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And Welcome to our New Cashiers! 🍎
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Volunteer Highlight: Anton Callaway
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A Farewell to Anton, MCC Board Member
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Anton Callaway is sadly leaving the board and returning to the United States. He has been a wonderful supporter as a volunteer cashier and board member for almost 3 years.
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His delightful humour and infectious laugh, his thoughtful intelligence and contributions, his calmness under fire, and commitment to do good, has been an inspiration to us all.
If you would like to extend your thanks and wishes of good luck, please contact him at antonagron@gmail.com.
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Next Board Meeting
Wednesday August 21st at 6:00pm
2103 Mountain View Road Lumby BC
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We are in need of a new board member from September until March when we have our Annual AGM. Without another member, we do not have quorum and cannot make decisions. If you would be interested in learning more about what the responsibilities and commitments are, or if you can recommend someone, please be in touch with one of the board members or Chris Bauman, president at 250.858.4211.
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ButterTart Festival Saturday August 24th.
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Are you entering the Public Market Contest? Be sure to stop by and get your supplies at the Co-op. Plus, there will be some tarts made by our members available at the Co-op between 10 - 12 Saturday - while they last!
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Mabel Lake 100-mile Potluck and Talent Show
Saturday Aug 24, 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm,
Mabel Lake Hall 111 Shuswap Falls Rd
5:00: Arrival and set up of dishes - Cash Bar opens
6:00: Potluck Dinner
7:00: Show
10:00: Cash Bar closes.
Co-op members are most welcome to attend !
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📣 VOLUNTEER MEETING
Volunteer Meeting is coming up in late September.
Stay tuned for more information.
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Vendor Highlight: Intentional Peasants Farm
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Intentional Peasants Farm is an 80 acre market farm near Edgewood, BC operated by Andy Holmberg and Rebecca Carmichael. The wet cool climate is ideal for growing crops such as carrots, potatoes, beets, rutabagas, cabbage, broccoli, onions, garlic, peas, radishes, beans, and fresh greens.
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While, not currently certified organic, Rebecca describes their practices: “The soil is naturally rich, and enhanced with cover crops and animal inputs. We use draft horse and human power on the farm as much as possible.”
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They especially focus on providing root vegetables during the winter months when local fresh produce is not widely available.
“We are happy to start supplying the people of Lumby through the Monashee Community Co-op. The Co-op is a valuable resource for local food security and sustainability.”
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"The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.”"
~ Coretta Scott King
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This Newsletter is created on computer and comes out once per month. If you've got an hour or two per month, and your own computer, you can help out the Co-Op from home! We would happily teach you how to do this and take it on for 6 months or more! It's fun, easy and a great skill to cultivate.
Contact us to learn more!
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Thank you for reading the August edition of our Newsletter! We hope you enjoy the last days of summer!
All the best,
Monashee Community Co-op Team
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