1. Attendance and Apologies

Attendance (MC): Bruce Diekman, Cyrus Irani, Jenny Kent, Tara Morelos, Janet Loughman, Ai Leen Quah (via Zoom), Jennifer Saminathen, Andrew Whitingham

Attendance (Members): Sandra Clark, Ran de Silva, Carina Fisk Charlton, Sharyn Foulis, Isabel Togi

Apologies: NONE

2. Approval of Agenda

That the agenda be approved approved, with additional items noted:

• member discount scheme;
• Board reference book;
• Cyrus's items; &
• Co-op Federation conference.
  

Moved: Bruce Diekman

Seconded: Andrew Whittingham

Carried by consensus

3. Consent Agenda

That the consent agenda be approved.

Moved: Bruce Diekman

Seconded: Andrew Whittingham

Carried by consensus

4. Potential new Director (MC member)

There is still one (1) casual vacancy on the Members' Council.

Active member, Isabel Togi (#15430), has recently expressed interest in joining the MC as a Director. She has submitted a resume, pre-circulated prior this meeting, and also has a LinkedIn page that can be viewed.

Motion: THAT (Isabel) Togi be approved and welcomed to the MC as a new Director.

Moved: Bruce Diekman

Seconded: Janet Loughman

Carried by consensus

5. Matters Arising from last Meeting (22 April)

A cumulative list of 2021 'Matters Arising', including those from the 22 April meeting, is attached below.

• Bread options: discussed at Shop Managers' meeting (Sandra to report) can be deleted from MA list.
• Annual subscription fee: MC agreed that $20 fee should remain until the end of this year. Shop Management staff to keep MC informed if any problems with this. Fees to be reviewed for increase next year with provision for 6 month membership, and more. New fees to be announced at the AGM.
• Dishwasher proposal: Janet’s research noted. Current dishwasher is used for bottle washing, but needs liquid sanitising in order for bottles to be thoroughly cleaned for reuse.

MC requested to revise Matters Arising and delete items already attended to.

6. Co-Managers' Report

Ran presented the report with the following noted:

• Airconditioners have been serviced.
• Fridges have been serviced (for free)
• An Inner West Council food safety inspection occurred on May 12. Only one matter is required to be addressed: the handwashing facility next to outdoor toilet must be rectified within 28 days of the inspection.
• Kombucha on tap has been discontinued – a new home for it will be looked into.
• July MC meeting will consider inactive member cancellation.
• Stocktake will occur on Wednesday 30 June.
  
• Veggie boxes – exploring different options to encourage more take up, such as small & mixed box, delivery within 5 kms.
• Next plant & bake sale – Saturday 26 June
• The Economic Development Officer from IWC is offering AH support & will take photos for a Time Out article.
• A vote of thanks to be offered to Yue for facilitating the IWC Health inspection – thanks Yue!

The full Co-Managers' Report is attached below:

That the Co-Managers' report be approved.

Moved: Bruce Diekman

Seconded: Tara Morelos

Carried by consensus

7. Finance report

Please see the finance report and attachments below from Treasurer, Andrew.

Andrew presented his report with the following noted:

• Looking to revise purchase budget on a week-to-week basis.
• Stock is staying too long in shop; problems with some items running out.
• Proposal to extend opening hours to 10:30am for a trial period, without promotion, agreed to.
• Andrew confirmed that bills are being paid on time.

That the Finance report be approved.

Moved: Bruce Diekman

Seconded: Cyrus Irani

Carried by consensus

8. Shop Managers' meeting, Tuesday 25 May

Ran, Carina, Sandra, Andrew & Bruce attended.

Sandra spoke to this item with the following noted:

• Bread and coffee options have now been reviewed and product lines chosen.
• Poor performers ('dogs') have been identified and will be targeted for removal.
• New products: working with existing suppliers first suggested;  and noted that COVID-safe promotion of certain products can now be undertaken.
• New Indigenous products being explored with Aunty Beryl.

The minutes from the meeting appear below.

9. Member Survey responses: volunteers

Janet talked to this item and the following was noted:

• Volunteer motivations: support AH as not-for-profit; way to meet people, make a difference; receive volunteer discount.
• Reasons for ceasing volunteering: too busy; moved out of the area; unsatisfied with the experience; felt excluded, too cliquey.
• Ran feels that volunteer experience has improved with new management this year.
• Staff are looking to engage more with volunteers.
• AH has approx. 60 current volunteers, with more needed. Suggested ‘excess’ volunteers can act as shop ‘meeters & greeters’.
• The volunteers' picnic was well received – looking to establish more opportunities to engage volunteers.
• Ran conducts volunteer inductions – suggested one-on-one, relational inductions are valued by new volunteers.
• Bruce said that Centrelink registered JobSeeker recipients (over 55 and under the pension age – currently 66.5 years), can arrange to volunteer for 15 hours/per week instead of being required to seek paid work. Alfalfa House has to be  registered as a participating organisation.
• Aprons are provided to volunteers – name badges recommended – Carina & Ran to investigate.

10. Proposal to purchase nut mylk machine

Our insurance provider still requires some information before confirming Insurance cover.

MOTION: THAT once insurance cover confirmed, the machine can be purchased.

Moved: Andrew Whittingham

Seconded: Cyrus Irani

Carried by consensus

11. Communication Team ('Content Gang') report

Sharyn spoke to this item and the following was noted:

• The next newsletter is planned to be published on June 2nd, and will also be available on the website – an MC report is required.
• Plastic Free July – AH is partnering with PFJ – media release to go out in June.
• Weekly newsletter will be reinstated in a shortened form.
• 40^th birthday event – suggestions for ‘headline personality’ being sought – date in Spring.
• The team is investigating upcoming events/festivals for AH involvement.

12. Planning: Visions and Goals

 Cyrus is planning a June 8 meeting for those interested at his place.

13. Upcoming events

The meeting acknowledged Cyrus's great work putting together the workshop program.

MC requested to promote workshops – posters & flyers provided.

Next Plant & Bake Sale proposed for late June – Carina to organise.

14. Grant proposals

Upcoming grant – City of Sydney Environmental Performance Innovation Grant – would need an industry/ research partner. Janet is investigating doing one with AH supplier, Honest to Goodness, on alternatives to plastic packaging.

15. Any other business