Canon Food Co-op
2010 Budget
INCOME – Total $2600
Dues 23%
Bulk Purchases 77%
Classes 0% (We are going to start out not charging members for classes)
EXPENSES – Total $2600
1) Promotion/Marketing : 11%
2) Office Supplies and Expenses : 6%
3) Fees, Registrations, and meeting space funds : 13%
4) Education : 4%
5) Bulk Purchases (for sale to Co-op member or farmer’s market) : 54%
6) Equipment : 4%
7) Petty Cash : 8%
CANON CITY FOOD CO-OP 2009 YEAR-END REPORT
The Canon Co-op started in 2008 and has been gaining momentum for the services and information the co-op offers to members and the community. We have a remarkable list of activities and accomplishments for 2009 and great plans for expanding our activities for 2010. As we look at 2009, here are some of the items of note:
Bulk Purchases
One of our major focus areas is purchasing in bulk so that members can benefit from the lower prices. In 2009, that has included:
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In addition, we have:
- set up accounts with several mail order vendors who supply herbs and spices, teas, and skin care products
- made arrangements for purchases of organic or natural products for Co-op members at Costco, Sam’s and Vitamin Cottage in Colorado Springs (picked up by Co-op volunteers) and identified items currently available from Costco and Sam’s for order on-line
- distributed information from the ProvidentPeople.net organization about their annual bulk purchases of grains, nuts, powdered milk and other staples
Aside from purchases, the Co-op has helped members identify sources for free alpaca fertilizer, grape residue fertilizer, and seedling pots.
Canon City Farmer’s Market
The Co-op participated in the Canon City Farmer’s Market during the summer of 2009. Members of the co-op sold fresh produce and products at the Co-op booth, manned by Co-op volunteers, without the cost of a separate market booth. The Co-op has also committed to participating in the expanded 2010 Canon City Farmer’s Market.
Expanded Information Sharing with members
Since the Co-op started, our monthly meetings have included presentations on topics such as:
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During 2009, the Co-op also shared information on products and resources:
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The Co-op also established a new internet domain and website (www.canonfoodco-op.com) with current notes on bulk items available, upcoming events, and links to websites of interest to the members, as well as a “discussions” section where you can post requests for information or offer information, recipes, hints on gardening, or even surplus garden produce!
At Co-op meetings and on the website, members and visitors exchanged information on local happenings, fairs, and events such as:
- Master Gardening classes
- the local Harvest Fest
- tours of Aardwolf Alpaca Ranch (Canon) and Largo Vista Ranch (Pueblo)
- screenings of movies about our environment and the food we eat
- soil testing
- Green Drinks meetings
- local recycling locations
- health department regulations regarding food preparation and processing
- presentations on natural, healthy and environmentally conscious living
Several members are, or are currently taking classes to become, Master Gardeners. They are available to help co-op members with questions about gardening.
Education
Aside from the entertaining and informative presentations at the monthly meeting, the Co-op wanted to provide more detailed classes for the membership and community. A very energetic Co-op committee was formed to set up meeting presentations and short classes on topics of interest to the group. Over 30 potential topics have been identified to date! Examples include:
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A schedule for classes will be developed in Spring 2010. Classes will be open to the community for a small fee.
The Co-op also supported the presentation of several movies on food growing and processing at the John C. Fremont Library. These movies, such as Fresh, show the effects of pesticides, antibiotics, herbicides and other materials and practices that endanger the quality of our food sources.
Co-op members have also been staunch supporters of presentations on food, health, and sustainable living at the John C. Fremont Library, which encourages the library to continue to provide programs of this nature to the community.
The pot-luck food served after each meeting has also been a source of education! Members had the opportunity to try new food items (vegan turkey loaf, quinoa salad, home made wine, “brainy” jello, and other tasty oddities!).
Membership Growth
The Co-op originally met in the homes of members, but rapidly outgrew those arrangements. In 2009, Erin Kimmett, local owner of Thirsties, offered the use of her lovely Thirsties meeting room and this has been our home base for meetings. (Some meetings were held at other locations, such as the Spring Creek Vineyards or the Desert Canyon Farm, for special presentations.) Due to increasing attendance at the monthly meetings, the Co-op began an extensive search for a new home base that will accommodate larger groups, both for monthly Co-op meetings as well as future classes and presentations.
Expanding Community Awareness of the Co-op and its Activities
- The Co-op’s booth at the summer Canon City Farmer’s Market has helped the local community to become more aware of the Co-op and its activities.
- The Co-op was featured in the October 2009 edition of That’s Natural (a Pueblo publication).
- Charlotte Burrous, reporter for the Canon City Daily Record newspaper, attended the December 2009 Co-op meeting and the group received an informative write-up in the newspaper following the meeting.
- Co-op members made presentations at the John C. Fremont Library on alpacas and on the Co-op
- A group of Co-op members also gave a helping-hand to other members and supporters during the 2009 local grape harvest.
Busy 2009!
As you can see, 2009 was a very busy and successful year. Hard work and creative thinking by members have positioned the Co-op to be a good source of information and support, for Co-op members as well as the local community, for a healthy and environmentally conscious lifestyle!
CANON CO-OP BYLAWS
Article 1. ORGANIZATION
Article 1.1 Name
The name of this organization shall be the Canon Co-op (“Co-op”).
Article 1.2 Purpose
The Co-op is organized on a cooperative basis to promote a sustainable economy and educate consumers on how to align buying and investing habits with values of peace, cooperation and environmental protection. Its mission is a commitment to supporting local, organic and natural foods. We value healthy people, products and planet. We seek to share that awareness with the community through cooperation, education and celebration.
Article 1.3 Principal Office
The principal office of the Canon Co-op is in Fremont County in Canon City, Colorado. The street and mailing address is 322 N. Diamond Ave., Canon City, CO 81212.
Article 1.4 Fiscal Year
The Fiscal Year for the Co-op shall begin on the first day of January in each year and shall end on the last day of December of the same year.
Article 2. MEMBERSHIP
Article 2.1 Admission
Membership shall be voluntary and open to any individual that supports the purpose and mission of the Co-op. Each individual must submit a written membership form with an accompanying membership fee. In the event of questionable eligibility, admission shall be subjected to approval by the Board of Trustees (herein referred to as the Board) at any time before or within three months after admission to membership.
Article 2.2 Membership Fees
Membership fees shall be payable annually, the amount of which will be set by the Board. The Board will review the fees periodically and may adjust the fees as deemed necessary. Dues have been set at $25/year payable annually—no refunds will be given for withdrawals or terminations.
Article 2.3 Rights and Privileges of Membership
Each member, designated as an individual or household, shall have the following rights and privileges of membership:
Article 2.3.1 Voting Right
The right to vote for members of the Board of Directors, amendments to the Articles of Organization, amendments to the bylaws, and other matters that may be brought before the membership for a vote. Each member is given one vote.
Article 2.3.2 Right to Attend Meetings
Article 2.3.3 Discount Rights
The right to a discount on purchases from the Co-op. The Board may establish different classes of membership, membership fees, and/or discounts.
Article 2.3.4 Right to Attend Board Meetings
The right to attend Board of Directors meetings subject to space availability. The Board shall have the right to exclude members who disrupt the Board of Directors meeting or in any way hinder the work of the Board of Directors.
Article 2.3.5 Right of Distributive Share
The right to participate in the distribution of net assets upon dissolution of the Co-op in accordance with Section 2.5.
Article 2.4 Non-Transferability
All membership rights are personal to the member. Neither membership nor any financial interest in the Co-op may be assigned, bequeathed or transferred and any attempted assignment, bequest or transfer shall be void. However, the membership and related financial interest of the Co-op may be assumed by a substantially similar organization, provided that the circumstances are disclosed and the membership affirmatively votes for the transfer.
Article 2.5 Rights on Dissolution
Each member shall have one share in the dissolution of the Co-op for each continuous year of membership at the time of the dissolution.
Article 2.6 Termination
Membership may be terminated in either of the following ways (a) voluntarily by a member upon notice of the Co-op; (b) nonpayment of annual membership dues (although the Board shall have broad discretion in accepting late dues for continuous membership); or (c) for cause, including willful violation of the bylaws, by the Board after an opportunity for the member to be heard and present information.
Article 2.7 Review and Appeal of a Termination
Any member terminated under Section 2.6 above may appeal the decision within three months of the Board’s action by calling for a review by an ad hoc appeals committee. The committee shall consist of four Board members and four impartial members. The decision of the appeals committee will be final.
Article 3 MEETING STRUCTURE AND FORM
Article 3.2 Special Meetings
Special meetings may be called on written or email request of no less than ten (10) percent of the membership delivered to the Secretary. Special meetings also may be called by the Board.
Article 3.3 Notice
Written notice stating the time and place of any meeting of members shall be delivered by email or mailed to last known address if no email address is available. Notice shall be delivered not less than thirty (30) days or more than ninety (90) days before the date of the meeting. Materials that impartially describe the candidates for election or issues for decision may accompany notices. Notices also may be accompanied by statements of the Board as to its positions on any issue for decision. In addition, notice shall be available at the principal place of business for any member to retrieve. Such availability, however, shall not be substitute for mailing.
Article 3.4 Voting
Each member or household member shall have one vote upon any matter submitted to a vote of the members, regardless of the number of shares in dissolution or continuous years of membership. Election of trustees shall be by written ballot. Voting on other issues may be by voice or written ballot at the option of the president. All voting by the members shall take place by mail, by ballot box in the store (if any), and at the annual meeting, a special meeting of the members, or, at the call of the Board, by a special mail ballot, mailed to all members with information deemed adequate by the Board explaining the issue to be decided. Voting by proxy at any meeting is not permitted.
Article 3.5 Quorum and Decision Making
Except as otherwise required by law, no quorum shall be necessary for the transaction of business at any meeting or members and a majority of those voting shall constitute a valid vote of members.
Article 3.6 Issues Submitted by the Members
By petition, members may submit issues to be considered at a meeting of members. Petitions must be signed by twenty (20) members, and be submitted to the Board sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting of the members.
Article 4 BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Article 4.1 Powers
The management of the business and property of the Co-op shall be directed and controlled in the interests of the members by a Board of Trustees (“Board”). The Board shall consist of seven (7) individuals elected by and accountable to the members of the Co-op.
Article 4.2 Qualifications
To be qualified as a trustee, a person must be a member for at least six (6) months, with the exception of trustees elected in the first six (6) months of organization, and not be a paid staff member of the Co-op other than the General Manager. A trustee shall not be associated with interests adverse to the Co-op’s mission. The remaining trustees shall have the right to determine whether a person is disqualified for having interests adverse to the Co-op.
Article 4.3 Nominations
Candidates for trustees shall be nominated by the Board, by a committee designated by the Board, or by any member before or at the meeting at which the election is held.
Article 4.4 Election and Terms
Trustees shall serve two-year terms and shall be those candidate receiving the greatest number of votes in an election of trustees. Election of trustees shall be staggered so all Trustees are not elected in the same year. Trustees shall begin serving after election results are announced and at the end of the board meeting immediately following their election.
Article 4.5 Conflicts of Interest
Trustees shall be under an affirmative duty to disclose their actual or potential conflicts of interest in any matter under consideration by the Board. They must absent themselves from deliberation or decision upon the matter.
Article 4.6 Removal
A trustee may be removed and replaced at any time by vote of the members with or without cause. Upon receipts of petitions for removal signed by twenty (20) members, the Board shall promptly call a regular or special meeting of members. A trustee may be removed by the Board only for cause after a fair hearing at which the trustee is given the opportunity to be heard and to present evidence. Any trustee who is absent from two (2) meetings of the Board within a period of one (1) year shall be subject to a discretionary vote of the Board for removal as a Trustee without a right of hearing.
Article 4.7 Vacancies
Any vacancy among Trustees occurring between annual meetings, except Trustees removed and replaced by the membership, may be filled by the Board for the remainder of the unexpired term. If a trustee is removed by the membership, the membership shall immediately elect a replacement to fill the unexpired term.
Article 4.8 Chair
The Board of Trustees may select from among its members a chairman to run the meetings of the Board of Trustees. The same member of the Board of Trustees may serve in the capacity of both chairman and president or any other officer of the Co-op.
Article 5 TRUSTEE MEETINGS
Article 5.1 Convening
Meetings of the Board shall be held as often as the Board deems necessary, but will occur no fewer than six (6) times each year.
Article 5.2 Notice
Notice of each meeting of the Board shall be given to each Trustee at least three (3) days before the meeting. Notice also shall be posted at the principal place of business in a conspicuous manner. The business to be transacted at the meeting need not be specified in the notice.
Article 5.3 Quorum and Decision Making
Except as otherwise required by law or by these by-laws, a majority of the sitting Trustees shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board and a majority of those present and voting shall constitute a valid vote.
Article 5.4 Referendum
At the request of three (3) or more Trustees, a decision of the Board of Trustees shall be referred to a meeting of the members. The decision shall stand unless and until it is annulled or modified by members. Such modification shall not impair the right of third parties previously acquired.
Article 6 DESIGNATION AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Article 6.1 Designation
The officers of the Co-op shall be selected by the Board and shall consist of a President, Secretary, and Treasurer. All such officers must be Trustees. All officers shall be selected annually and may be removed as officers with or without cause at any time by the Board.
Article 6.2 Duties
Officers shall have the following duties together with such other duties as may be determined by the Board: (a) the President shall sign formal documents on behalf of the Co-op as authorized or directed by the Board: (b) the Secretary shall oversee the keeping of minutes of all meetings of members and the Board: and (c) the Treasurer shall oversee financial affairs of the Co-op and the filing of all required reports and returns.
Article 7 INDEMNIFICATION RIGHTS AND LIMITATIONS
Article 7.1 Rights
Subject to the conditions and limitations in this Article and to other rights that may be accorded under Colorado law, the Co-op shall indemnify its trustees, officers and committee chairpersons, including those formerly holding such positions, against all liabilities and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, to which they may become subject by reason of their positions with the Co-op or their services in its behalf. Such indemnification shall include direct payment of liabilities and expenses and shall apply whenever such person was or is a party, or is threatened to be made a party, to any threatened, pending or completed proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative. Any indemnification payment or advance of expenses that arises out of a proceeding by or in the right of the Co-op shall be reported in writing to members with or before the notice of the next meeting of members.
Article 7.2 Limitations
No indemnification shall be provided unless the person to be indemnified: (i) is successful on the merits in defense of the proceeding; (ii) is determined by the court to be fairly and reasonable entitled to indemnification in view of all the relevant circumstances; or (iii) is determined in accordance with procedures required under Colorado law to have acted in good faith and in the reasonable belief that his or her actions were in the best interests of the Co-op and in regard to criminal proceedings, to have had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her actions were unlawful. In any proceeding by or in the right of the cooperative or in which such person is charged with receiving an improper personal benefit, indemnification shall be provided only as to reasonable expenses and only if the person is either adjudged not liable to the Co-op on such bases or determined by a court to be fairly and reasonable entitled to indemnification in view of all the relevant circumstances. Payments pursuant to indemnification obligations shall be made promptly, but only in such increments and at such times as will not jeopardize the ability of the Co-op to pay its other obligations as they become due. This limitation shall not apply to the indemnification of persons who have personally signed guarantees for the Co-op’s accounts or debt upon which the Co-op has defaulted.
Article 8 NOTICE AND WAIVER OF NOTICE
Article 8.1 Notice
Any notice required under these by-laws shall be deemed delivered when deposited in the United States mail with names and addresses as they appear in the records of the Co-op. Any notice sent by email and confirmed with a response will also be deemed delivered.
Article 8.2 Waiver of Notice
Any notice of the meeting required under these by-laws may be waived in writing at any time before or after the meeting for which notice is required. The attendance of any person at a meeting, including by authorized representative, shall constitute a waiver of notice of the meeting except where the person attends for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of business because the meeting is not lawfully endorsed. Nothing in this paragraph authorizes voting by proxy.
Article 9 SEVERABILITY AND AMENDMENTS
Article 9.1 Severability
In the event that any provision of these by-laws is determined to be invalid or unenforceable under any statute or rule of law, then such provision shall be deemed modified to conform with such statute or rule of law without affecting the validity or enforceability of any other provision of these by-laws.
Article 9.2 Amendments
Members may amend these by-laws provided that the proposed amendments are fully stated in the notice of the meeting of members.
