PNFC Co-op News November 2015
View this email in your browser

Letter from the General Manager

Financial Sustainability

I'd like to take a moment to thank our member-owners for your continued support of the business that you own and have entrusted the staff & board to steward on your behalf. The founders of the coop laid the groundwork to get us to where we are today and it is now my job to help steer the organization into the future.  
 
The future as we envision it will see us operating a viable & sustainable business enterprise that offers the goods our member-owners wish to purchase at fair prices with mindfulness of supporting local entrepreneurs. In order to position the cooperative for long-term financial sustainability we must operate a profitable business. At this moment in  time the financial statements of the coop show aggregate operating losses in excess of $400,000 since the birth of the coop. Clearly, continued operating losses are not sustainable and must be converted into operating profits.  There are difficult choices facing us as some business practices that we have historically observed must be revamped or ceased altogether. Toward this end there will be some changes in our special order and member discount programs coming soon so that we may strike a balance between offering attractive member-owner benefits and ensuring profitable operations that allow for retained earnings to reinvest in the coop.  
  
At this point in the cooperative's development we find ourselves in need of reinvestment in our infrastructure and systems.  The cash register system - in retail parlance, the Point Of Sale or POS system -  that we own is out dated and in need of replacement in order to satisfy federal credit card security protocols. Replacing our POS system will also allow us to manage our inventory much more efficiently and will provide new ways to offer discounts & promotions to our member-owners.  In addition to replacing the POS system we also are looking at some new equipment for the sales floor and prep areas that will provide opportunities for sales growth and labor efficiency improvements.      

The investments that we plan to make should contribute to our pursuit of profitability via improving efficiencies and growing sales. I look forward to keeping you informed of our progress towards these goals as our plans develop more fully.

Brad Salmon

The Placerville Natural Foods Co-op and Cedar Springs Waldorf School are having our 4th annual Holiday Craft Faire on Saturday November 28, 2015. Help support local artists and small business owners and do your holiday shopping!

 

The event will be at the El Dorado County fairgrounds in the Marshall Building. The venue has ample parking and is highly visible to the public - we expect a great crowd!


If you are interested in being a vendor, please download an application here.
Annual Owners Meeting
Saturday November 7, 2015

Community Room
Upstairs at the Co-op
12:00 - 2:00pm

Potluck Please bring a dish to share.
 Utensils, plates and drinks will be provided.

 
MEETING AGENDA

  • Call to Order and Introduction of Directors and Officers

  • Election Results Board of Directors

  • President’s Report on Board Activities in past year

  • General Manager’s Report

  • Q and A Session

  • Attend the Annual Meeting
From the Board

All Co-op owners are always welcome to attend our board meetings, and to address the board if they so desire.  Your input is encouraged. Unless we hear from you, it is not possible for the board to assure that the Co-op is successfully meeting our stated ends:

1. A friendly retail store that satisfies customers.
2. A strong and healthy local economy.
3. A thriving and profitable cooperatively owned business.
4. Sustainable practices.

Our Annual membership meeting will be held on November 7. Join us for a potluck lunch at noon to be followed immediately by the membership meeting.  At the meeting we will provide an update on the state of the Co-op, and the board’s vision for the future. Also, we will be asking for owner volunteers to help us review and draft amendments to our bylaws. Your board of directors has identified several bylaw items that would benefit from rewriting for clarification. We continue seeking candidates to stand for election to our Board of Directors. Candidates should have an active interest in community organization governance, demonstrated by attendance at Co-op Board meetings and participation in volunteer activities in support of the Co-op. Our bylaws call for the Co-op to be governed by a seven person board of directors, however due to a recent resignation we currently have only five persons on the board. If you think you might be interested in this opportunity please contact me at john@placervillecoop.org  or Brad Salmon, our General Manager at pnfcgm@gmail.com

Co-op Raffle
Win this bear! Handmade by owner Scott Schroeder. 

Tickets are $5 or 5 for $20.

Purchase raffle tickets at the Co-op. Raffle ends December 17.
 
Volunteers needed!
  • Winter Craft Faire
  • Selling raffle tickets at the Co-op
For every 4 hours of volunteer service, you will receive 10% off at the Co-op for one month. Email Twyla for more information!
Please email us if you are interested in an advertisement in our newsletter.
Copyright © *|2015|* *|PNFC|*, All rights reserved.

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list