The Hornby Co-op Board wishes all our members, customers, suppliers, and staff, everything good in the New Year.

As you will discover by reading on, we all certainly look forward to the prospect of having the new gas bar and the accompanying improved facilities. These should greatly assist in dealing with the challenges involved in operating a retail facility that requires constant flexibility and resourcefulness.

The Board, would like to thank the Co-op’s amazing management and staff for functioning so successfully yet again last year - and for achieving this with such cheerfulness and efficiency.

The rest of us on the Board would also like to take this opportunity to thank Alan Fletcher for generously donating his time as a board member to overseeing the gas bar project, and for his expert advice over the past six years - and for doing it with such graciousness and enthusiasm.

The following is Alan’s update of the current status of the project:

“We are expecting to break ground in the next few weeks at the new gas
bar location. First of all the civil works will be completed. That is, all the works that occur under the surface such as piping conduits and drainage systems. Concurrently the foundations will be started for the building.
We are expecting this part of construction to be completed in two months.

Once the foundations for the building are complete we will be readyfor
the prefabricated frame of the gas bar to arrive. When it is on site we
will have a community “barn raising“ of the building. This should take
one day and be a lot of fun. The roof will go on next along with windows bringing the building to lock-up. This should happen by March/April.

Thereafter we plan another barn raising day with the timber frame
canopy, which will be prefabbed from Island Timber Frame in Cumberland.

Once we have the shell of the building completed the petroleum side
should be completed and then we have all the finishing inside and out to be co-ordinated and completed. Local trades and craft people will achieve this.

We should have the building completed by
the beginning of June ready for the summer.

Hornby Co-op has hired Tor Nawrot, in his independent capacity, to be
the Project Manager. He personally will be responsible for site co-ordination and communication between trades, FCL, Phoebe and the consultants.

Please note that there may be times when the adjacent parking lot will not
be open during the week but we will do our best to keep it open for the weekends and holidays. We will also be fencing off the site with yellow
fencing to meet worksafe BC Standards.”


Finally there is more good news: the new well is now functioning and has turned out to be most satisfactory. There do, however, have to be ongoing tests for a while, the biggest of which will be the test of how it holds up through the summer.

Co-ordinated by Ann Newdigate for the Hornby Island Co-op Board.

November Coop Corner

HORNBY ISLAND CO-OP AS PATRON OF THE ARTS. continued.

The account of Hornby Island Co-op’s support for the arts became too long for the October First Edition and had to be split. This was in fact a good thing because now
Coop Corner can deliver breaking news about the future of art on the walls. The bad news is that Tina Harrison decided that she can no longer facilitate the project. The good news is that she will spend more time in her own studio. More good news is that Elizabeth MacDonald will take on the job but, for insurance reasons, she is not allowed to climb the ladder to hang big pieces at the top of the wall. Now assistant Maintenance Contractor, Albini Lapierre, will undertake this high risk venture. Thank you Albini, and especially thank you Cathy McElroy for having gone up that ladder and assisted Tina for all these years. Again thank you Tina.

We already have much for which to thank Elizabeth. She is being featured here because of the collaborating she has done with HI Arts Council to add to the painting of the realistic seascape that transforms the Fire Department water tank in the new parking lot. She has, since the summer graffiti, repaired and sealed the image at her own expense. The first stage of this project was paid for by the Arts Council while Co-op provided paint and brushes. Stage two will be painted on the tank’s southern round end, and is to be funded by Co-op while, this time, Arts Council pays for materials and brushes. Elizabeth’s excellent eye for beauty is supported by her knowledge of the principles of basic design - texture, line, shape, colour, darks and lights, repetition etc. Combine these with her horticultural expertise and the result is the attractive ongoing landscaping she is doing to prepare for the new gas bar and C store. These will soon be a reality.

Last month the Co-op displayed a very special artwork on the wall above the candies - a prime viewing spot. The photograph, “Daybreak in Prague”, won Co-op member Gerald Hodge a place in the BC Automobile Association calendar. But equally impressive is the fact that it won him and Sharron Milstein an all expenses paid Mediterranean cruise from Nice to Istanbul in September. Congratulations to this handsome, not really retired, town planner.


Through the years Co-op has also made many donations of cash or inkind to arts organizations. Recently this included a contribution towards the purchase of the beautifully refurbished Bechstein grand piano by the Festival Society. With expert advice from Jane Koop on selecting the piano, the tenacious Gary Duke led a successful fund-raising effort. The magnificent piano, crafted in Berlin in 1924, was delivered this past spring and was used extensively over the summer. Islanders were lucky to hear Jane Koop’s concert in October, and to see her give the piano an affectionate pat. The Blues Society and many other performers have benefitted, and will continue to do so, from this addition to our community.

Finally, the Co-op also supports local musicians with the sale of tapes and cds, local writers by selling their books, and more help for visual artists by carrying cards with their painted images and photographs. The business of sales for these items is added to the responsibilities of the Grocery Manager, Carole Shura. Because there is not really any room for books and music displays in the current building these can be found at various locations around the store.

Ann Newdigate on behalf of the Hornby Island Co-op Board.

HORNBY ISLAND CO-OP AS PATRON OF THE ARTS. (Part one)

Historically the Co-op supports the arts in many ways including
providing jobs, and steady incomes, for many artists. In fact it has
been artists on staff who are responsible for the ever changing display
of work hanging on every available wall. There had been sporadic “art
shows” for years. These proved so popular that, when a decision was
made to make them a regular feature, the excellent artist(and grocery
manager) David Kilmartin, became the first co-ordinator. When David
left for a few years, Tina Harrison took over while in charge of
pricing and margin control. She has co-ordinated shows for 8 years.
This exacting task must, for insurance reasons, be done by a member of
staff or a contractor. After Tina retired from regular work it was
possible to extend her coverage as an ex-staffer, and to pay a small
stipend. But, because she is not covered to go up ladders to hang
work at the top, this challenging activity is done by the maintenance
contractor, and artist, Cathy McElroy.

Tina explained the logistics of installing art on walls not designed for
exhibiting. Mostly shows change every month. Islanders can apply for
solo exhibitions, and can participate in group shows. These are not
juried because Tina includes all work that is submitted although she
can not predict how much will come in. Thus work hangs in every single
spot. She hangs large, bold work high where it can be viewed from a
distance. Work goes over magazines, above the bread, over the chips
and in the stair well. Small, delicate, or detailed work requiring
close up viewing hangs above shopping carts. Installing in available
spaces is typically not simple, and group exhibition may take five
hours to complete. In addition Tina spends many hours on telephone
discussions with artists.

Tina aims to be inclusive, and is emphatic in her invitation to
artists that have not shown work before because she keeps exhibitions
fresh, varied, lively, and engaging. The artwork should not already
have been shown on Hornby, must be ready to hang, and frames should
have wire for support. One of the exciting aspects of art at the Co-op
is that established artists also submit work. This eclectic mix
provides interesting viewing, and has even included paintings by the
legendary Jack Shadbolt.

At the end of a show walls are repaired before beginning the next
installation with the fine tuned process of finding appropriate and
compatible relationships between the various works. Artists must
provide details about medium, title and date. They may state a price
and if there are interested purchasers the Co-op directs them to the artist
who transacts sales themselves. If a sale materializes, the Co-op does
not take a commission and is therefore probably the only venue in
Canada where artists receive full sale price.

Each piece is assigned a large sized number fixed beside it. This is
correlated with other information typed up by Tina and placed above the
newspapers stand. The following morning when shoppers arrive they
find a seamless transition, as though by magic, from one show to the
next. Islanders and visitors have come to expect art at the Co-op and
may take it for granted because the backbreaking, physical, but also
detailed organizational, work is not visible. Much experience, art
expertise, and time goes into putting these shows up. May we hope that
there will always be a staffer or contractor with the guts and smarts
to continue the art on the wall tradition.

(to be continued)

Ann Newdigate for the Co-op board.

> A TIME TO REFLECT AND A TIME TO CELEBRATE.
>
> September is the month when Hornby Islanders look back at how the
> months of July and August worked out for them, and also look ahead
> towards the new beginnings that the Fall and Winter might bring.
> It is no different for the Hornby Co-op in general. The management
> team, the staff, and the board of directors will meet to assess and to
> plan. At the time of writing this, to meet The First Edition’s usual
> deadline of 19th of each month, any attempt to talk to staff about how
> things are going was naturally met with the desperate eyes of people
> trying to keep afloat while also being drowned out by the wails of a
> three year old repeatedly screaming “I want ice cream”.
>
> Even over the din it came through loud and clear that the young people
> who were hired temporarily to work in the summer have done an amazing
> job. Bright, resourceful, polite, unflappable, knowledgeable, and
> also computer wizards, Becca Dunne, who trains people on the till, said
> “As a group they are absolutely the best ever”. Thirteen temporary
> workers were hired for the summer, most of whom have just graduated
> from high school, and some of whom have not got there yet and have
> thus had their first job experience in this high stress environment.
> After these two months they could cope anywhere. They have all been a
> credit to the Co-op and to Hornby. Of necessity, though, these are
> Hornby’s offspring, because finding accommodation here would be
> prohibitive for anyone who is from away, and so it goes without saying
> that, at the bottom end of the unionized scale, they are obliged to
> live with relatives or friends. One of the till people is, for
> example, a third generation Heron Rocks camper.
>
> That was the good news about assessing the summer. The bad news is
> that decisions are going to have to be made about how to deal with
> this year’s high level of abusive visitors. It has apparently been
> on the web and in the verbal circulation of information that free
> overnight parking and camping is available in the new parking lot.
> There is a sense from many Co-op members and some staff and board
> members that a meeting is urgently needed to find a solution to the
> problems that drugs and alcohol bring to our beautiful island and
> especially to the unique gem that is Tribune Bay.
>
> But there is yet more good news: the approved plans for building the
> new gas bar and C store have finally arrived from Federated Co-op Ltd.
> Now it should be time to start celebrating after all these years of
> juggling budgets, waiting for authorizations, and redrawing plans.
>
> Ann Newdigate for the Hornby Co-op Board.

Beginners Guide to the Hornby Island Co-op.

Co-op Directors welcome all who come to Hornby in the summer months -
whether it be their 100th or their 1st visit - and whether they have
that precious asset - a Co-op number or not. This is no ordinary
Co-op. It is unique except for similarities with Sointula and Tofino
Co-ops. All are located in isolated, beautiful areas with small
permanent populations. Full time residents here number under 1,000
and only the mail person knows how many remain during the dark,
creative months. At Summer’s peak it is said that there are at least
7,000 on Hornby. The implications for the Co-op of this population
explosion are, on one hand, an acute need for training temporary staff,
and, on the other, that the store can substantially increase sales.
That the organization does both successfully is because of the amazing
management team and dedicated staff.

Store policy is to carry island productions - produce, meats,
chocolates, books, cards, breads, healthy dips, soap, salves, jigs,
maps - and it has been said that what you cannot get here you don’t
need. In fact one can get anything from baby aspirin to tiaras. If
something is needed and not available it can usually be special
ordered. Twice a week the Co-op truck picks up prepaid medical
prescriptions from Courtenay.

A number of essential services are done by independent contractors.
In particular the Gas Bar and C Store are in the expert hands of Alix
Allen who ensures that gas and propane prices are as low as possible
(sometimes lower than elsewhere) even after additional ferry and
transportation costs.
The Post Office, has been computerized by Canada Post, and the Co-op
now assumes the financial risk. Landscaping by Elizabeth MacDonald,
who also beautifies the proposed gas bar area, has turned the extended
parking lot into a parkland.

The Ringside Market stores on Co-op property, are owned by independent
merchants, and provide a central meeting place for socializing,
acquiring fresh local meals, coffee, books, crafts, smart clothing and
for outdoor sports expertise. The Quilters Guild displays the annual
community quilt there and are donating this year’s raffle funds towards
the proposed new Hornby health clinic. Cleaning of building and
grounds is contracted to beautiful gnomes who do their magic in the
early hours before anyone is around.

Every month a Co-op FLYER goes with the mail to all households. This
is no ordinary flyer and, apart from information about specials,
operating hours, system changes, it carries advice about things like
dealing with slugs and mice, some seasonal recipes, and often witty
advice about driving that may, on occasion, be levelled at drivers who
transgress.

There are special services available only to Co-op members such as
cheque cashing privileges and a monthly shopping spree which gives 10%
off most items. If any visitors plan to come back to Hornby, which
they surely will, then taking out a membership has these advantages,
including the prestige of occasionally having a cashier remember your
number. There is a website (www.hornbyislandcoop.ca) with
information for planning that helps visitors know what to expect in the
way of provisions and services. H.I. Co-op, like all enterprises, is
vulnerable during this economic downturn, and so anyone taking out a
membership will be helping to ensure that “mother co-op” can continue
to function and be an active provider of essential community support.
Making purchases at the Co-op, whether for gas, organic asparagus, or
whatever, helps keep this fragile asset functioning effectively year
after year for subsequent visits.
Ann Newdigate for the H.I Co-op Board.

Co-op directors received Ron Doucette’s tour of upgraded electrical
systems. His impressive work will be capable of a three phase
operation. Now, even in severe power outs, the computer systems should
be safe from major failures as well as from regular fluctuations
resulting from Hornby being at the end of the line which begins in
Revelstoke. This is an attempt to describe the subteranean wires,
boxes, panels and generators that make it possible for the Co-op in
future to avoid vulnerabity, huge costs, or staff working around the
clock.

Cathy McElroy, maintenance person, and another of our unsung magicians,
was kind enough to provide a follow-up tour to clarify some of the
brilliant electrical mysteries scattered around the premises. “I will
take you where you have never been before” she said, opening a heavy
sound-proof door that doubles as display wall, to reveal a throbbing
bank of compressors for maintaining coolers and fridges. Then, up on
the roof, she introduced four heat pumps that control temperature
throughout the store. Out in the new parking lot she unlocked the
structure that houses a 42 kilowatt second-hand refurbished Genset
generator Ron located. All through the old building numerous breaker
panels are to be found - in the post office, the office area - with the
critical one in the basement’s electrical room. Another small closet
houses the old Honda generator, still used but probably destined for
gas bar use. Prior to the acquisition of this generator the store had
simply to shut down during power failures. Then, with the big 2007
outage, by switching from tills in the day to refrigeration at night,
this generator could provide only essential safety first, then
protection of frozen products, and with limited hours at the gas bar.
Cathy spoke about the community’s sense of abandonment during this time
despite heroic maintenance efforts, and how Co-op management and staff,
with board support, made it a priority to provide essential community
services regardless of expense.

Now, thanks to Ron’s dedication and kindness, existing electrical
services have been upgraded, and in addition, with the Genset
generator, the store has the capacity to handle disruptive crises.
This new automatic system will not require hands-on staff efforts and
will provide for most of the Co-op’s power needs. Full automation to
handle 100% of our power demands would have required a generator the
size of a bus (to quote Cathy). Because the widely dispersed
batteries, transformers, panels, inverters, lights, tills, and
computers, using every available spot in the old building, are a
byzantine puzzle, the resourceful Ron has made a map with which Cathy
can familiarize herself, and which will enable others also to operate
the system. Now, the essentials - tills, gas bar, computers, pumps
for water and septic , freezers, coolers, including security and
crucial lights - can function without staff doing 24 hour
labour-intensive rescues. Cathy had much praise for Ron’s streamlining
and vision, and also for Thermotec Mechanicals who will advise her
telephonically.

An insight into Cathy’s wide area of expertise occurred when, during my
tour, a staff member reported a toilet fan’s strange behaviour. Cathy
offered to immediately check it. Our maintenance person is an
amazingly smart resource whose skills go far beyond complex electrical
competency. Among her next jobs is replacing gutters after the winter
destruction. She repeated that the Co-op’s priority is the needs and
welfare of Hornby’s community. These behind scenes labors are another
of the integral Co-op services that are not visible to the community
and visitors. Cost of the upgrade is currently about $20,000.
AN for the Co-op Board.

54rd ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Community Hall, Hornby Island

24 May 2009

Present:
Board: David Eldred, Bill Adams, Alan Fletcher, Richard Laskin, Donna Tuele, Ann Newdigate, Rudy Rogalsky,
[Regrets: Margaret Sinclair, David Hall]

Management: Phoebe Long, Sheila Macpherson
[Regrets: Catherine Grieve, Carole Shura]

Guest: Doug Creba, Mid Island Co-op

Total members: 37


MINUTES

1. Call to order and agenda

a) The meeting was called to order at 10:10 by President Bill Adams. Bill introduced the directors and welcomed guest Doug Creba. Each director spoke about their particular contribution to the Board.

b) The proposed agenda was approved by general consent

2. Minutes of the 53rd Annual General Meeting.

It was moved (John Mills) seconded (Carole Chambers) and carried that the minutes of the 53rd annual general meeting held on 25 May 2008 not be read.

It was moved (Chris Weixelbaumer), seconded (Donna du Plessis) and carried that the minutes of the 53rd annual general meeting held on 25 May 2008 be adopted.

3. Reports

a) President's report

Bill Adams provided some background on the establishment of the Co-op in 1955 and noted that it has grown to the point of now having $5.5 million in annual sales. The Co-op is a major economic player on Hornby Island with 33 year-round employees and 43 over the summer. Nearly $1 million goes back into the community in the form of wages, local purchases of goods and services, donations and sponsorships. Last year, donations and sponsorships totalled $11,000. Director Ann Newdigate is doing a good job of highlighting the services that the Co-op provides in the “Co-op Corner” column. Members should be proud of their Co-op.

The theme of this Annual General Meeting is Celebrating the Co-op Team. Bill drew attention to the photo display and encouraged members to express appreciation to staff. Special mention was made of Phoebe Long, Sheila Macpherson, Brian Smith, Glen Morrison and Wendy Derbyshire who have each completed more than twenty years of service.

The global recession is having local impacts. Last year's increase in sales only kept pace with inflation. Margins are decreasing. There is a need to increase sales, reduce costs and improve margins.

The Gas Bar Project is progressing slowly. Completion is hard to predict.

b) Team Manager's report

Phoebe Long drew members' attention to the 2008 Annual Report and provided comments:-

Statement of operations:

The lower margin overall in 2008 was largely due to fuel sales. Expenses have increased slightly, mostly due to modest improvements in wages and benefits. (The Co-op is working towards improving wages and benefits within what is possible; a good benefit package is in place.) Interest is largely derived from funds set aside for the Gas Bar project. Savings from operations were significantly lower in 2008. However, patronage refunds from FCL savings were higher, due to to a good performance from FCL's refinery operations. (This level of refund cannot be relied upon in future years). Total savings for the Hornby Island Co-op were $141,752, down from $222,420 in 2007).

Balance sheet:

There was little change in assets and liabilities in 2008. There was a modest increase in members' share capital. Reserves and retained savings increased by almost $60,000 in 2008.

Expenses:

Good control has been maintained over expenses. The meat cooler needed to be replaced, but there were no other major purchases. Some scheduled capital replacements were deferred but equipment has generally held up well. The third phase of the electrical upgrade was undertaken. This was costly but is necessary to address both safety issues and the loss of product and demands upon staff incurred during power outages.

Staff:

Phoebe acknowledged the other members of the management team - Sheila Macpherson, Carole Shurer and Catherine Grieve - and the staff generally, noting the large number of long-term employees.

Responses to questions:

Water expenses were about $12,000 in 2008. The new well is expected to come on-line this year once the current hydrogeological report is finalized. Ringside costs in 2008 were due to allocation of costs for improved sewerage. The till difference was due to a loss of data (resulting from a system failure) which was hard to reconstruct. Inventory has been tightened up to cut costs by reducing stock of slow-moving and seasonal items.

Video rentals were discontinued after four years of declining sales. (Rentals had been reinstated for a year in response to membership requests, but sales continued to decline.) Videos were a losing entity in relation to the display space and staff time required. Catherine Grieve, Hardware Manager, is researching alternative ways to make videos available to the membership. Videos rentals could be considered for the Gas Bar convenience store, but these are generally being eliminated elsewhere because they are not profitable.

After an upward trend for fifteen years, sales are now levelling off. Management is constantly reviewing those services that the Co-op provides at a loss. Membership input on these services is welcomed.

c) Gas Bar Project Report

Alan Fletcher provided an update. The project has been progressing but slowly. There have been delays in getting engineering drawings from FCL. Revised drawings have just been received and will be reviewed. Present plans are for construction of the convenience store to take place in the fall using pre-fabricated building parts and volunteer community labour. Local contractors will be used to finish the building. Construction costs have dropped this year which should reduce the cost of the building.

d) Financial Report

David Eldred noted the Co-op had experienced a difficult year which had been handled well.
He drew members' attention to indicators which demonstrate that the Co-op is in good financial health: the significant degree to which assets exceed liabilities, the capacity of the Co-op to have carried out the initial gas bar development work using current earnings and the ability of the Co--op to meet its obligations to members withdrawing equity (something that some other Co-ops have not been able to do).

4. Business

a) Annual report

Members were provided with copies of the 2008 Annual Report of the Hornby Island Co-operative Association which includes the Auditor's Report prepared by the Retail Audit Department of Federated Co-operatives Limited.

It was moved (Fred Hunt), seconded (John Mills) and carried that the 2008 Annual Report, including the Auditor's Report, be received.

a) Patronage allocation

David Eldred provided the Board's recommendation for a patronage refund to members. The Board is recommending that two per cent of eligible sales be allocated (amounting to $72,105), with fifty per cent provided as equity and fifty per cent as cash.

It was moved (Basil du Plessis), seconded (John Mills) and carried that a patronage refund to members of $72,105 (being 2% of eligible sales) be approved, with 50% being provided as cash and the balance as equity.

b) Member loans

David Eldred explained the background to the member loans. The members involved have been given the option of having the loans paid out but have so far declined. Interest has been paid at one quarter per cent above the interest paid for one year term deposits at the Union Bay Credit Union.

It was moved (Tim Biggins), seconded (Chris Weixelbaumer) and carried that the interest payable for member loans be paid at the current Union Bay Credit Union one year term deposit rate of 2.2% plus one quarter per cent..


c) Appointment of auditor

David Eldred explained that in recent years the Co-op has been using FCL auditor services which cost considerably less than commercial auditors while providing effective arms-length.

It was moved (Basil du Plessis), seconded (Kurt Wetzel) and carried that FCL be approved as auditor.

c) Election of directors

The terms of three directors, Richard Laskin, David Eldred and Alan Fletcher have concluded. All three indicated their willingness to stand for another three year term. A maximum of eleven directors can be elected. The present number of nine has been working well.

Bill Adams called three times for additional nominations from the floor. There being none, Richard Laskin, David Eldred and Alan Fletcher were declared elected as directors to serve for a three year term

d) YES Camp

The Co-op is looking for local youth interested in attending the YES Camp which is run by the Youth Excellence Society. Application forms for the two camps (Junior: aged 10-13 and Senior: aged 14-17) are on-line, but applicants will have to come into the Co-op as letters of support are required.

e) Macpherson Bursary

Richard Laskin announced the recipients of the Macpherson Bursary for 2009. The selection committee had decided to award two bursaries after receiving applications from five highly qualified and deserving candidates. The decision had been difficult but unanimous.

The recipients are Shandra Ronan and Autumn Candlish-Rutherford. The recipients expressed their appreciation and received congratulations from the Board and members.

5. Other business

The following issues were discussed by the membership, directors and management.

a) Special orders

Special ordering is a valuable service of the Co-op. It would be good find ways to draw attention to the opportunity for special orders such as through specific location for ordering, availability of catalogues, displays or publicity.

b) Electronic communication

It would be useful if the Co-op developed an electronic mailing list of members. This could be used for, among other things, notifying members of store hours during storms and power outages. A list could also be used for an electronic newsletter. There could be an opportunity to sign up to the mailing list at the checkouts or customer service.

Electronic communication is being looked into by the Co-op and members have been asked to provide email addresses.

c) Member workshop

A successful and well-attended member workshop a number of years ago generated some good ideas and helped build support for the Co-op (it included identifying services that people travelled off-island to access that could be provided by the Co-op). Perhaps it is time to hold a similar meeting to explore changing needs and interests in the light of an aging population, increasing ferry fares and economic circumstances.

d) Deliveries to elders

A number of ideas were presented about how to facilitate grocery deliveries to elders such as using the Co-op truck (or contractor), utilizing volunteers (perhaps identifying these through the newsletter), working with a community organization and setting aside a particular time of the week when the Co-op is not busy for handling such orders.

The Co-op is exploring this issue, including through discussions with the Community Health Care Society, but there are several logistical and co-ordination challenges to be addressed.

e) Computer supplies

Many computer members use computers and spend significant money off island on supplies, such as ink. This could be an opportunity for the Co-op.

Catherine Grieve is looking into possibilities, including through special ordering. Challenges include the diversity of products and the need to achieve a necessary volume of sales to handle such products.

f) Liquor sales

The amount of staff time involved in handling liquor sales could be reduced if items were available in the store as is the case at the Buckley Bay store. Theft would be a significant challenge in having liquor stocked and displayed in the store.

g) Theft

A question was asked about the effectiveness of surveillance cameras. Industry-wide statistics indicate that they do make a difference. This is hard to quantify with respect to the Co-op store.

h) Plastic bags

Congratulations were offered to the Co-op for the successful transition away from the use of plastic bags.

6. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 11:50am

Recording secretary: Tony Law
------------------------------------------------------------

THE HORNBY ISLAND CO-OP 54th AGM
SUNDAY, MAY 24TH, 2009
10:00 a.m. Hornby Island Community Hall

Dear Members,

At our AGM this year we want to “CELEBRATE THE CO-OP TEAM” who do such a fabulous job all year. In all organizations and businesses there are very key elements that are fundamental to ongoing success. These include: supportive shareholders, in our case, members; reliable and consistent suppliers; good physical assets; a healthy cash flow; and of great importance, committed and knowledgeable employees.

Our Co-op is truly blessed with an experienced, dependable and focused “TEAM”. Today we wish to recognize, their contribution and to thank them for their efforts. In addition we want to salute the “long-term” members of this “TEAM” who have achieved 20 years or more of service to our Co-op. They are:
> Phoebe Long
> Sheila Macpherson
> Wendy Berke
> Brian Smith
> Glen Morrison
Congratulations and thanks!

The global ECONOMIC CHALLENGES that surfaced last year have impacted the Hornby Island Co-op. While sales were up slightly over the previous year, the increase really just reflects inflation. Of greater concern, is that margins declined and as a result, net savings dropped 36% from the previous year. The Co-op Team has explored a variety of ways to reduce costs and that will be an ongoing focus. As the recession continues we need to find ways to INCREASE SALES, REDUCE COSTS AND IMPROVE MARGINS. We encourage some constructive discussion on this important issue at the AGM.

Some other items we wish to cover at the AGM are:

1. Gas Bar update – yes, the Gas Bar is progressing albeit at glacial speed.
Alan Fletcher will provide a “virtual tour”

2. Patronage allocation – the Board recommendation is 2% for this year
and Members are reminded they can donate their patronage allocation
cheque to the Hilary Brown Fund in support of the Gas Bar Project.

3. Would you like to receive information from the Co-op electronically? Send
us an email at hicoop@telus.net and we will put you in our address book.


AGENDA FOR THE 54TH AGM

Call to order at 10:00 a.m.
Agenda Confirmation
Minutes of the 53rd AGM

Reports
President
Team Manager
Gas Bar project
Finance
Auditor

Business
Patronage Refund
Membership Loans; interest rate
Appointment of Auditors
YES Camp
McPherson Bursary
Election of Directors

Other Business
Hilary Brown Award

Adjourn

ABOUT OUR CO-OP

> Sales increased 4.1 % in 2008

>Net Savings declined 36%

>This year we had 1,433 active
members

> $ 1,013,463 total wages paid
to staff and contractors

> $ 301,795 was spent on products
and services provided by local
suppliers and tradespeople

> $10,710 was invested in
sponsorship and member
relations programs

THAT’S OVER $ 1. 3 MILLION
RETURNED TO OUR LOCAL
ECONOMY – 25 % OF SALES






Members are encouraged to explore our web-site: www.hornbyislandcoop.ca


RECORD OF SALES AND SAVINGS

Year* Sales Savings

2004 $ 4,483,303 $ 191,821
2005 4,539,756 188,149
2006 4,757,287 208,649
2007 5,057,274 264,420
2008 5,189,024 222,420
2009 5,400,717 141,755

* Each financial year ended on January 31 of the year indicated



Thanks to all management, staff, members and suppliers for another good year!

Special thanks to Kingfisher Resort and Spa for the most generous door prize

During our winter season we have fresh food specials and deliveries as follows:

• Cardboard House Bakery Bread: arrives Monday and Thursday morning.


• Denman Island Bread: arrives Monday Wednesday and Friday.


• La Boulange Bread: arrives Tuesday and Friday late afternoon.


• Commercial Breads: arrive Monday Tuesday and Thursday Friday late afternoon.


• The Meat/Deli department offers a selection of fresh meat and fish arriving Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons.


• Winter Rotisserie Schedule:
  
  Monday: Gyoza and/or Spring rolls (meat and veggie).
  
  Tuesday: Ginger Beef.
  
  Wednesday: Hot and Spicy Chicken Wings.
  
  Thursday:Pork Bites.
  
  Friday: Surprise, surprise.
  
  Saturday: BBQ chicken.
  


• Fresh produce arrives Monday, Tuesday Thursday and Friday. We carry as much local produce as we can.

Feel free to call us at 250-335-1121 to check on arrival times for our products. Remember, for your convenience or a unique occasion, we can special order anything from turkey to Champagne.

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