The New Orleans Food Coop Buying Club had a successful work day, today, on the build-out of our new storage space. We put up some insulation and some wallboard.

There’s still more of the same to do, so we will have another work party next Saturday, November 10th, starting at 9:00AM. Volunteers do not need to be experienced, however you should know how to operate a hammer and how to turn on a power screwdriver. Folks stopping by for moral support are welcome as well.

The location is 3219 Toulouse (in the back).

Hopefully this build-out can be finished or far enough along so that the next divvy can be there. The divvy will be on about Nov. 28th.

We will be meeting next Saturday at 4PM at the Sound Cafe to plot out Promotions and Logistics of our Membership Campaign. Any and all are welcome.

Below is what we’ve plotted out as the base of next week’s discussion. If you are unable to make the meeting itself but have ideas to add to the list, please let us know!

Hope to see you there.

AmyGeorge

Promotions:

I. We should set concrete goals and deadlines
II. Ways to get the word out:
A. Meeting with community heads where they can ask us questions and we can lay it all out for them to take back to their communities.
B. We should make a list of neighborhood organizations we will target and their related contact information
C. Tabling at community events—starting in December!!!
1. Farmers markets
a. Holy Angels
b. CCFMs—Saturday and Tuesday
2. Festivus
3. Various art markets through December
4. Freret St. Market
D. Brochures on tables in coffee shops and such.
1. We need little stand thingys to put them in.
E. We need to make up relevant advertising campaign and publicity materials

Logistics

I. We need to develop a systematic processing and record-keeping system for new memberships
A. Database
B. Financial system
C. Membership packet to acknowledge receipt of membership application.

Hi all,

We had a really interesting meeting last night with Pres Kabakoff of the Universal Furniture project, and the board has decided to convene this Wednesday, 11/7, at 5:30 pm at the Community Center (625 N. Rendon, Mid-City) to discuss our participation in this project.  (If you have questions about the location, feel free to email me.)

Please note that board meetings are open to the public, so if you’re interested in this project and want to put in your two cents, you are more than welcome to come!

I’ve come up with an agenda, but if anyone has any items to add, please do so and recirculate on the Forum before Wednesday at noon.  If your name is highlighted, please be prepared to give a brief update on the topic listed.  If you’re not going to be at the meeting, no worries, just please email your update to the forum ahead of time.

See you Wednesday!

Amanda Anderson

NOFC President

Working Agenda for 11.7.07 meeting

1.) Universal Furniture Project - yea or nay?  or do we need more info. before making a final decision?  what will our stipulations be?

2.) Finding consultants for this project - financial, legal, grocery retail.  And, how much can the NOFC afford to invest in professional services?

3.) Discussion of what, if any, membership perks will be when the store opens

4.) New member structure: discussion on “low-income membership.”  Doesn’t the board have to vote on this?

5.) Buying Club updates:

a.) Sales Tax update - Anne Sobol

b.) Electrician update - John Calhoun.  Should we consider finding an alternate electrician?

c.) Volunteer requirement update - Erin Laine.  Status on the Volunteer Duties list?

6.) Membership committee update: John and/or Amy George

7.) Setting a date for the November potluck, with a Thanksgiving theme.

Folks interested in helping organize the membership drive in the neighborhoods surrounding the St. Claude corridor are invited to come get involved. We invite all to come help layout the key aspects of our upcoming Founding Member drive to support the possible co-op in the Universal Furniture building.

We will meet at the Sound Cafe at the corner of Chartres and Port Streets from 4-6pm.