The Honest Weight Food Co-op’s by-laws require that members vote on the annual budget.  This is one of the ways that HWFC ensures member participation in decision making.  Thus, on January 27, Co-op members gathered in Albany to review, discuss and vote on the budget for 2008.  The formal meeting, held at the First Unitarian Universalist Society, was preceded by a potluck dessert and coffee/tea half-hour with musical accompaniment by HWFC member Paul Cronin.

When HWFC vice president Susan Weinrich called the meeting to order, 124 members were in attendance, well over the 85 needed for a quorum.  Susan introduced HWFC member Mark Yolles, who facilitated the meeting.  John Godfrey, HWFC treasurer, and finance manager Alfred “Duke” Bouchard then led the members through the proposed budget, which had been mailed to them earlier.

John used graphics to show our sales growth trend from 2000 to 2008 and the breakdown of expenses.  He pointed out that the growth in sales has been slowing since 2005.  Based on this trend, the HWFC budget for 2008 is based on 6.3% growth, which John said was a conservative estimate.  The 2008 budget predicts a profit of less than 1%, or half the industry goal of 2%.  The Co-op’s declining sales growth highlights the need to move the store to its new location.

The meeting next turned to a presentation, discussion and vote on the Preliminary Project Budget for 100 Watervliet Avenue, the building Co-op members voted to buy last October.  Operations and administrative coordinator Cindee Lolik made the presentation and took questions.  The Preliminary Project Budget includes money for the architect to design the building, consultants to select and lay out equipment, to resolve financial issues, and for marketing and member meetings.  For the project to move forward, HWFC members must then vote to approve the final design.

Cindee emphasized that it is important to move quickly, as the current tenants at 100 Watervliet will be leaving in August.  It will cost the Co-op a lot to have an empty building.  She said HWFC hopes to begin construction or renovation at the site this fall, in order to open the new store by spring or summer 2009.

At their October retreat, the Facilities and Strategic Planning committees completed part of the “pre-programming” process.  (A copy of the pre-programming document is available at the front of the store.)  Working with the architect, the planners envisioned a 35,000-square-foot “dream” store.  That plan is not affordable, Cindee noted, so the committees are now seeking ways to cut back on space, while still retaining the most important things that everyone wants.

Members asked if the planners had decided whether or not to keep the existing building at 100 Watervliet.  The architect is working on both scenarios: adapting the existing structure, or taking it down and putting up a new building.  One of the biggest factors in choosing whether to “start over” or “re-use” will have to do with costs.  Cindee and IT coordinator Lexa Juhre emphasized that concepts and options for both alternatives will be presented to Co-op members for discussion at membership meetings during the winter and spring, and that HWFC members will be asked to vote on final plans for the new location.

During discussion of the Preliminary Project Budget, members encouraged the HWFC Board, Collective Management Team and Facilities committee to remember the “green” goals Co-op members had expressed for their new building.  The planners were asked to use member expertise as much as possible in order to ensure the best possible outcome for the project, and to ensure high membership involvement in the process.

Shortly after 8 pm, the members voted (again, by paper ballot) on the Proposed Project Budget for 100 Watervliet Avenue.  This measure also was approved by a wide margin, 106 Yes to 14 No.

Thus, Honest Weight took another step toward its future.