Comments on: The State of the Coop http://www.clearcreekcoop.org/2008/12/the-state-of-the-coop/ food for life, not for profit Sat, 31 Jul 2010 19:23:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Out of the old, into the new - Clear Creek Food Cooperative http://www.clearcreekcoop.org/2008/12/the-state-of-the-coop/comment-page-1/#comment-257 Out of the old, into the new - Clear Creek Food Cooperative Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:33:58 +0000 http://cccoop.preview.summersault.net/?p=52#comment-257 [...] milestone in our work to relocate the Clear Creek Food Cooperative, after many conversations about how we can best live out our organizational mission.  The Coop has secured a new space in downtown Richmond at 710 East Main Street, where we’ll [...] [...] milestone in our work to relocate the Clear Creek Food Cooperative, after many conversations about how we can best live out our organizational mission.  The Coop has secured a new space in downtown Richmond at 710 East Main Street, where we’ll [...]

]]> By: Update on Co-op Future Planning - Clear Creek Food Cooperative http://www.clearcreekcoop.org/2008/12/the-state-of-the-coop/comment-page-1/#comment-71 Update on Co-op Future Planning - Clear Creek Food Cooperative Tue, 05 May 2009 16:30:05 +0000 http://cccoop.preview.summersault.net/?p=52#comment-71 [...] the context of our larger conversations about the future of the Co-op, the board and staff feel that it is still best for the organization to continue to take the time [...] [...] the context of our larger conversations about the future of the Co-op, the board and staff feel that it is still best for the organization to continue to take the time [...]

]]> By: Co-op in the News, Volunteers still needed!, Menus (just 3 weeks left - use up those meals!!) - Clear Creek Food Cooperative http://www.clearcreekcoop.org/2008/12/the-state-of-the-coop/comment-page-1/#comment-47 Co-op in the News, Volunteers still needed!, Menus (just 3 weeks left - use up those meals!!) - Clear Creek Food Cooperative Fri, 10 Apr 2009 20:47:42 +0000 http://cccoop.preview.summersault.net/?p=52#comment-47 [...] can find a link to the article, as well as more information about the state of the co-op on the main page of this [...] [...] can find a link to the article, as well as more information about the state of the co-op on the main page of this [...]

]]> By: Dale Beach http://www.clearcreekcoop.org/2008/12/the-state-of-the-coop/comment-page-1/#comment-25 Dale Beach Tue, 24 Feb 2009 18:25:32 +0000 http://cccoop.preview.summersault.net/?p=52#comment-25 Folks- I literally just found out about the Co-op last night after seeking out such a resource since I arrived in Richmond 18 months ago. Word of mouth works but it is slow! After reviewing the "State of the Co-Op" document, I am worried that the week I find you may be the week I lose you. However, one thing strikes me from the document. There appears to be an overwhelming sentiment that there are no further ideas than those listed. This beg's the question, have you approached other successful Co-Ops or national organizations (ie NCGA) for their comments or input, or at least as a model? If there is truly inspiration to maintain the as well as grow the organization, an external review followed by a solid action plan (unrevocable for 5 to 10 years) would be appropriate. Finally, please let me suggest the CoOp that I left behind in Carrboro, North Carolina as an example. Weaver Street Market started small, but has become a community center and valuable resource within just the last few years. Their website is http://www.weaverstreetmarket.coop/ If these are rehashed ideas, please excuse my inexperience. Folks- I literally just found out about the Co-op last night after seeking out such a resource since I arrived in Richmond 18 months ago. Word of mouth works but it is slow! After reviewing the “State of the Co-Op” document, I am worried that the week I find you may be the week I lose you. However, one thing strikes me from the document. There appears to be an overwhelming sentiment that there are no further ideas than those listed. This beg’s the question, have you approached other successful Co-Ops or national organizations (ie NCGA) for their comments or input, or at least as a model? If there is truly inspiration to maintain the as well as grow the organization, an external review followed by a solid action plan (unrevocable for 5 to 10 years) would be appropriate. Finally, please let me suggest the CoOp that I left behind in Carrboro, North Carolina as an example. Weaver Street Market started small, but has become a community center and valuable resource within just the last few years. Their website is http://www.weaverstreetmarket.coop/

If these are rehashed ideas, please excuse my inexperience.

]]> By: Erin Nelson http://www.clearcreekcoop.org/2008/12/the-state-of-the-coop/comment-page-1/#comment-8 Erin Nelson Mon, 02 Feb 2009 21:13:49 +0000 http://cccoop.preview.summersault.net/?p=52#comment-8 I recently became a Co-op member and frequently purchase bulk items such as flour, oat bran, spices, etc. at the Co-op, as I find this more economical than the local grocery store (though I actually haven't compared prices). I would definitely miss this option. One thing that the Co-Op doesn't do that I would be very interested in is locally-grown and/or organic fresh produce. I have seen bits and pieces over the past few weeks and I think this a great idea. This could be expanded and even take on a CSA model, whereby members elect to purchase a weekly delivery of a variety of locally-grown vegetables. Each week, each member would get a selection of locally-grown vegetables and/or fruit (whatever is in season). I also love the fresh bread and muffins that have been on offer recently. I would probably be more inclined to buy these products if they were produced during the week, since I work at Earlham -- I can see offices buying these and leaving them around the coffee pot! If the Co-op needs to close temporarily to think about how to become a more sustainable operation, would it perhaps be possible to allow for community members to place orders for various products which could then be delivered and/or picked up at a central location (Runyan?). That would allow for some income in the intervening time. I recently became a Co-op member and frequently purchase bulk items such as flour, oat bran, spices, etc. at the Co-op, as I find this more economical than the local grocery store (though I actually haven’t compared prices). I would definitely miss this option.

One thing that the Co-Op doesn’t do that I would be very interested in is locally-grown and/or organic fresh produce. I have seen bits and pieces over the past few weeks and I think this a great idea. This could be expanded and even take on a CSA model, whereby members elect to purchase a weekly delivery of a variety of locally-grown vegetables. Each week, each member would get a selection of locally-grown vegetables and/or fruit (whatever is in season).

I also love the fresh bread and muffins that have been on offer recently. I would probably be more inclined to buy these products if they were produced during the week, since I work at Earlham — I can see offices buying these and leaving them around the coffee pot!

If the Co-op needs to close temporarily to think about how to become a more sustainable operation, would it perhaps be possible to allow for community members to place orders for various products which could then be delivered and/or picked up at a central location (Runyan?). That would allow for some income in the intervening time.

]]> By: Janet http://www.clearcreekcoop.org/2008/12/the-state-of-the-coop/comment-page-1/#comment-7 Janet Mon, 02 Feb 2009 20:08:51 +0000 http://cccoop.preview.summersault.net/?p=52#comment-7 I feel your pain, since I also served on the board a number of years ago when these problems were starting to get unmanageable. I think your document is an honest appraisal of the state that the co-op has been in for a long time now and what I experienced as a past board member. So I would certainly understand if it were time to lay the co-op down. A few other ideas... I don't actually take advantage of the lunch program that much, but I think it is a wonderful addition to the food choices available on campus. I wonder if there is the energy to keep the lunch program going and perhaps extend food service into (or after) the dinner hour, maybe serving a simple soup and student-made bread. This new eatery could still keep the focus alive of being a cooperative. My other notion is to begin conversations with the EC bookstore about somehow combining forces to make a cooperative book/gift/dorm-grocery store, with memberships securing a discount or rebate. Janet Wagner, Richmond I feel your pain, since I also served on the board a number of years ago when these problems were starting to get unmanageable. I think your document is an honest appraisal of the state that the co-op has been in for a long time now and what I experienced as a past board member. So I would certainly understand if it were time to lay the co-op down.

A few other ideas…

I don’t actually take advantage of the lunch program that much, but I think it is a wonderful addition to the food choices available on campus. I wonder if there is the energy to keep the lunch program going and perhaps extend food service into (or after) the dinner hour, maybe serving a simple soup and student-made bread. This new eatery could still keep the focus alive of being a cooperative.

My other notion is to begin conversations with the EC bookstore about somehow combining forces to make a cooperative book/gift/dorm-grocery store, with memberships securing a discount or rebate.

Janet Wagner,
Richmond

]]> By: Alex Winnett http://www.clearcreekcoop.org/2008/12/the-state-of-the-coop/comment-page-1/#comment-6 Alex Winnett Mon, 02 Feb 2009 19:57:34 +0000 http://cccoop.preview.summersault.net/?p=52#comment-6 As an Earlham Alumnus and former Clear Creek Volunteer, I can not imagine Richmond without the Coop. I would like to echo Amy's point that this report is sobering and frustrating. But a crisis often calls for a sober voice. Usually, I am not one to promote addition by subtraction. However, a steady hand and a sharp scalpel can really help cut dead weight. While many hands help with a heavy load, a lighter load is necessary when those hands are not found. I wish you all the best of luck in this difficult and stressful time. Alex Winnett- Washington DC As an Earlham Alumnus and former Clear Creek Volunteer, I can not imagine Richmond without the Coop. I would like to echo Amy’s point that this report is sobering and frustrating. But a crisis often calls for a sober voice.

Usually, I am not one to promote addition by subtraction. However, a steady hand and a sharp scalpel can really help cut dead weight. While many hands help with a heavy load, a lighter load is necessary when those hands are not found.

I wish you all the best of luck in this difficult and stressful time.

Alex Winnett- Washington DC

]]> By: Amy http://www.clearcreekcoop.org/2008/12/the-state-of-the-coop/comment-page-1/#comment-5 Amy Mon, 02 Feb 2009 19:36:50 +0000 http://cccoop.preview.summersault.net/?p=52#comment-5 Hello! I've just read the document. While sobering, it truly sums up what has been long felt. I have been a past board member, and there has always been a sense of imbalance between the love we have for the co-op and its mission, and the limited sense of accomplishment. There have been surges in energy and profits, and downturns as well. I applaud the current board members for forcing a look at reality. I appreciate former board members and presidents who have worked valiantly for the mission of sustainability and the co-op mission. I can support all four of the suggestions listed in the document. We use bulk buying a great deal, and our sons enjoy semi regular volunteering there. I love the whole feel of the co-op when I buy local this and that and would miss it tremendously. But, perhaps its a phoenix waiting to happen. We will continue our purchases now, and will support the future of the co-op, however it rises. Amy Ritchie, Richmond Hello! I’ve just read the document. While sobering, it truly sums up what has been long felt. I have been a past board member, and there has always been a sense of imbalance between the love we have for the co-op and its mission, and the limited sense of accomplishment. There have been surges in energy and profits, and downturns as well. I applaud the current board members for forcing a look at reality. I appreciate former board members and presidents who have worked valiantly for the mission of sustainability and the co-op mission.

I can support all four of the suggestions listed in the document. We use bulk buying a great deal, and our sons enjoy semi regular volunteering there. I love the whole feel of the co-op when I buy local this and that and would miss it tremendously. But, perhaps its a phoenix waiting to happen. We will continue our purchases now, and will support the future of the co-op, however it rises.

Amy Ritchie, Richmond

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