Co-op News
From "Maple Street Co-op News", December 2007/January 2008

AGM Review & Manager's Report By Alan Harrington, Co-op General Manager

On Tuesday 27 November 2007, over 40 members attended the Annual General Meeting of the Co-op and the Club. I congratulate new Directors Fern Veit, Peter Pamment (elected after filling a casual vacancy) and Margo Balfour on their election. The usual items on the agenda progressed as normal, and some of the highlights are mentioned below.

The audited accounts for the year ended 30 June 2007 reveal that the Co-op operations returned an after-tax net profit of $41,302, while the Club made a small loss of $3,642. I consider these results to be excellent, as there were considerable increases in costs and expenses. The Club made a significant improvement and seems to be finally heading in the right direction.

The Directors introduced the inaugural 'Ann Jupp' award. This will be an annual award to honour any Co-op member who is considered to have contributed significantly to the co-operative movement in Maleny. It is also to recognise the efforts of long-time UpFront Club Secretary, Ann Jupp, for her magnificent and tireless work over some 15 difficult years at the Club. The inaugural award has been presented to Douglas Bailey for his service at the Club and Maleny Credit Union over a very long time. Congratulations Douglas!

A special resolution was passed at the AGM by more than two-thirds of the financial members present, to increase the amount the Co-op can borrow from $300,000 (set in 1997) to $500,000. The increased amount is quite specific, in that it is to be spent only on the Co-op renovations and therefore doesn't permit the Directors to use the funds for any other purpose.

Some members raised concerns about the workplace health and safety requirements at the Club. Arrangements have been made to carry out a WH&S assessment of the Club and the Co-op. In addition, a review of the electrical wiring is also being completed.

Mention was also made of the uses to which the 'back block' could be put. This area is behind the Club and the Co-op, and meets Bicentennial Lane at the bottom. Any constructive suggestions from members would be welcome and should be forwarded on to the Directors. I am also available to discuss any suggestions.

Attendees also raised the question of creating a forum for members, either through the Co-op News or the website. We are looking into the possibility of creating a web-based forum for members to voice their concerns or opinions on Co-op and Club issues.

Showing membership cards
I am sometimes asked why members need to show their membership cards at the Club or the Co-op. The principle reason is so that staff can give financial members their five per cent discount. Unfortunately, not all members pay their $11 annual subscription fee on time, and it is difficult for staff to know who is financial and who isn't. With over 1,150 active members it is, in my view, unreasonable for staff to know every member and their financial status at any point in time.

In addition, there are on average about 30 new members joining each month, and it takes time to get to know them. This is more difficult for staff at the Club, where the nature of the industry often makes for high staff turnover and numerous shifts.

As we go to press, there are still 250 unfinancial members. We have tried having the staff consult an up-to-date list, but have found this to be very slow and inefficient. Remember, if an unfinancial member is given a discount, it means members' funds are being given away, and ultimately this will affect our viability.

On other matters, it is pleasing to see the monthly art openings and theme nights going so well. In particular, I congratulate 'Team Scorpio' on their very entertaining and informative evening (see story page 10). The other, very successful evening, was Kathryn Alexander's launch of her new book Dietary Healing:The Complete Detox Program.

From all the staff at the Co-op and The UpFront Club, we wish you all a merry Christmas and safe, healthy and happy holiday season.

[From "Maple Street Co-op News", December 2007/January 2008; published by The Maple Street Co-operative Society Ltd, 37 Maple Street, Maleny, Qld 4552, Australia, tel (07) 5494 2088, email maplest.co-op@serv.net.au,
website http://www.maplestreetco-op.com.au]