Riverwest Co-op

Communications Committee

Minutes 12/8/10

 

Donation Requests - None

 

Currents – January Currents ad will highlight Comfort Food Wednesdays in the café

 

Farm Fresh Atlas - Listing in the Farm Fresh Atlas is $175, although we may have mistakenly been offered the $50 farm price last year. The Atlas has offered to list us for $165. Since the Atlas is so popular, it was decided this would be a good idea. If there is not enough money left in this year’s budget, we should count it as a 2011 expense.

 

Groupon – The Co-op was contacted by the local Groupon affiliate to see if we were interested in participating. Since Groupons must offer 50%-70% off, Gibson discussed a half-off coupon for $10 worth of deli food. Groupon members would pay $5 for the coupon, of which $2.50 would go to Groupon and $2.50 would come to us. Since $10 of food in the café equals about $3 in food costs, the Co-op would take a loss if coupon holders only spent $10, although they would likely spend more.  There are some doubts of the effectiveness of using coupons to get people into the store, but Groupon is also very popular. Will be discussed again in future meetings.

 

Holiday Giving Tree:  About half the gifts for our giving tree were donated, and we raised around $85 for the other half and for wrapping supplies. Glenda and Erin wrapped the gifts on Monday, and Erin and Gibson delivered them to the Silver Spring Neighborhood Association last Tuesday. The gifts will be given out next week, and Kalyin from SSNA has promised us pictures. Website was updated with our giving tree success.

 

“Tastes of the Season” – Caroline’s was in the store on December 5, making hummus and mushroom salsa. Logistics were “interesting” and tasting did not really bring people to the store, but was popular with regular customers. Kelly Peloza was at the Co-op on December 12, to sign copies of her book, The Vegan Cookie Connoisseur, and give our samples. Next Sunday, December 19, Amelia Klem Ostrud will be signing copies of The Tattooed Lady: A History. Events were posted on website and Facebook.

 

Riverwest Random Recyclables and Gift Fair - The Co-op will have a table at the RRR&GF event at the Polish Falcon on December 18, taking order for holiday truffles from the cafe and showcasing several of the local items for sale in the store. Entry fee is $25.

 

Spaghetti Dinner – Several people have brought up the fact that the Co-op usually holds its Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser in January. We would like to continue the tradition of the dinner, but since plans haven’t been started, we discussed moving it to February (perhaps a ‘That’s Amore!’ themed dinner the weekend before Valentine’s Day?), although this may conflict with a possible board retreat. Paula will contact the usual organizers to discuss.

 

Mug design contest – The committee decided that we would like to have designs ready to be judged by members at annual meeting in April (most likely 17^th or 18^th). Designs should include “Riverwest Co-op and Café” and somehow incorporate the number 10. Erin has contacted Vessel Drinkware, which makes the mugs were are currently selling in the store, to find out about cost and specs; she will also write up an entry form.

 

Cookbook – The café has shown interest in producing a cookbook featuring current and past menu items. Committee will talk with café managers about collecting recipes. Names of volunteers with illustration, layout, design and editing experience were mentioned. Should look at Beans & Barley cookbooks for an idea of what to do. Printing costs need to be researched. Would like to have cookbook printed and ready to sell buy next November.

 

Website hosting renewal fee was due December 16; $107 was charged to the co-op credit card for 12 months of hosting. It was suggested that we comparison-shop before renewal next year to see if we can find a cheaper price.

 

The committee has been lax in keeping its budget current. Sandra compiled the last updated budget we have in June. It was also noted that our event coordinator has not been paid for Center Street Days, and there is confusion on who should be writing up event reports and where they should be submitted. Paula will bring this up at the next WC meeting. Erin will attempt to go through past minutes to reconstruct the budget since then. The need for more volunteers on all co-op committees was also discussed.