Co-op News
From "Maple Street Co-op News", August/September 2008

"Farewell Tribute to Alan Harrington"
By former Co-op News editor, Ruth Parnell

When Alan Harrington made a 'tree change' to the Blackall Range with his wife Mary Meadows in 1994, little did he know that he'd become an intrinsic part of the Maleny co-operative movement. Now, after 13 years at the management helm of Maple Street Co-op, he has passed the baton to a new general manager and is preparing for his next challenges.

Soon after arriving here, Alan was appointed a temporary director of the UpFront Club, advising on financial matters. Later in 1995, he became a temporary director of the Co-op (a long story; see director Marc Kalifa's piece on page 12). Early the next year, he resigned from the Board to accept the job of temporary manager - a three-month stint that became permanent.

It's true that Alan didn't fit the mould of a hippie co-opper, and his trademark colourful cardigans (lovingly hand-knitted by Mary) and hemp shirts were as close to the look as he'd ever get. So how did this former tax fraud investigator and arts-and-crafts business co-owner from Canberra fit into the co-operative environment? Alan recently explained to me that many principles that he and Mary adopted in their business were "very egalitarian and sharing, and therefore co-operative". A crash course in the Co-operative Act and Co-op Rules, and he had the framework to guide him.

Co-op turnaround
Alan's financial clout was invaluable in turning around the Co-op's financial disaster - the result of "bad decisions and controls" with the Co-op's stall at the 1994-95 Woodford Folk Festival says David Bromet, the Co-op's current auditor and a director until late 1994.

David recollects: "Alan immediately went about rationalising processes and setting up loan repayment plans. His ability to talk with and manage people - and, some might say, gossip and cajole - was the perfect mix to get new ideas and enthusiasm into Maple Street Co-op. He introduced a books section and started a consulting room by expanding the shop into previously let space."

Alan's first decision was to abolish the 'managerial salary' and work for the same pay as all the staff. His first challenge was to convince some of them that it was okay to "accept some reasonable business principles that would result in a regular surplus - not even necessarily a profit - that would ensure the growth and long-term sustainability of the Co-op".

His next challenge was to restore the faith of around 30 per cent of members who were boycotting the Co-op for many reasons, including feeling unwelcome and believing that its principles were being sidelined. He was "significantly helped by staffers Juliette Kalifa, Gayle Butson and Lyn Bromet as well as the new team of directors". Before long, members were returning to the fold and new ones were signing on. Turnover was rising, debt was being paid off and new product lines were being stocked.

Leigh Findlay, a director from 1997 to November 2006, recalls: "Alan has worked both on the micro and macro levels, from negotiating discounts with suppliers if the bills were paid within a certain time, which made significant savings, to paying off the huge debt from the original problem...around 2000-ish. Then he came up with strategies to secure the Co-op's financial future, e.g., forming a sinking fund to set aside for the purchase of the property when the lease has run its course."

Leigh agrees that "the Co-op would not be in existence today if not for Alan", but says that in his early time "there were lots of people who didn't like some of the things that had to be done". She adds: "You can't really fault Alan's management of the business... One of his great strengths is his ability to see the big picture and to implement strategies to bring it to fruition."

UpFront Club transfer
Alan regards the move to merge the financially failing UpFront Club with Maple Street Co-op as one of the most important decisions he's been involved in. He did the sums and presented his business plan to both Boards. The merger was endorsed by members at a Special General Meeting on 25 October 2005.

Alan reflects: "It was in the best interests of Maleny and the co-operative movement as well as the social interactions of the community for the Club to continue, so long as it changed." It wasn't an easy path, and he did his best to assure regular Club-goers that the uniqueness of the Club would be retained.

So Alan, more used to being on the receiving end of hospitality, was now also overseeing a licensed co-operative club with a completely different modus operandi. He learned more than he ever thought he needed to know about coffee-making machines, for instance.

Club operations manager Kelly Robson says: "We wouldn't even have a Club if Alan hadn't had faith and foresight. The Board had to have faith in him. I admire his belief and faith in me, as well. He went out on a limb."

Tony Woodhouse, a long-time Club director who was elected to the Co-op Board at the November 2005 AGM, admits: "Alan certainly did save the Club. We were a basket case, and we recognised the place needed money spent on it."

Well, it was, and much of the Maleny Credit Union loan, negotiated by Alan, that was earmarked for the Co-op shop refurbishment was redirected towards Club renovations, completed in late June 2006. "Without those renovations, we wouldn't have moved anywhere," Kelly insists.

Now, far from being a "basket case", the UpFront Club is an increasingly popular social and musical hub, attracting a wider clientele; last month it made an unprecedented profit of nearly $3,000. Alan, who was appointed general manager of the combined co-op in late 2005, maintains that the Club is "still a work in progress" and that "steps are in place to improve it significantly". At least he can look forward to enjoying anew his favourite place to unwind, without having to worry about the balance sheet.

Reflections and observations
Alan expanded Maple Street Co-op News as "the main promotional vehicle in terms of our products and ethics, with some influence on issues confronting members and the Maleny community". (In late 1998 he gave me the opportunity to edit and develop the Co-op News, which I did until early 2007 when we handed it over to Leigh Robshaw.) He also supported the start-up of the Co-op's website and wireless intranet in the Club environs. Four years ago, Alan introduced the Carver model of policy governance to the Board, which then-director Dawn Goddard fine-tuned.

"Clearly, managers have input," says Alan, "but any decisions are the Board's own." However, Leigh Findlay notes one criticism that instead of serving it "he has actually run the Board at various times, but...that was probably necessary to effect change". Alan feels thankful for the Board's confidence in him, and that he's been able to carry on day-to-day operations with little interference.

Alan has embraced and implemented good ideas, giving credit where credit's due, and has backed local producers, manufacturers, staff and artists. He has promoted Co-op principles and practices to visiting groups. He has also played his part in opposing the supermarket chain invasion of Maleny, headlining the Co-op's role in the health and wealth of our town.

Over the years, I've seen Alan give guidance and support to many people. But he also gives due praise to his multi-talented wife. "Luckily I've had terrific support from Mary, particularly as I could vent my frustrations and she could point out where I might be going down an inappropriate track," he says. Several others I've consulted also speak very highly of Mary. As secretary of the Co-op since 2000, she has upheld Board confidentiality when Alan as manager/GM didn't have a 'need to know'.

We all have our foibles, and Alan is no exception. Some people have found him to be rather aloof until they've got to know him better, particularly on a social level. At times his intense work focus has been misinterpreted, and occasionally he's been 'banned' from the Co-op shop counter!

Some of the shop staff call him 'the chucker', due to his habit of deleting emails and throwing out 'non-essential' papers after one speed-reading. Lori Sturtz (on staff since mid-2000) observes: "You wouldn't believe the times I've seen him with sticky tape, repairing papers he's accidentally ripped up!" Alan's practice is a throwback to his ATO days before the shredder was invented!

New horizons
For now, Alan is still involved with the Co-op shop as assistant manager. He should feel proud that he has not only upheld the spirit of the co-operative movement, he has nurtured Maple Street Co-op into a successful enterprise with a combined annual turnover of more than $2.5 million and a very solid net asset base.

Of Karen Syrmis, his successor as GM, he says: "I have 100 per cent faith in Karen. She has the necessary skills, ability, foresight, drive and professionalism to take the Co-op shop and Club to the next level."

So, 13 years on from contemplating his retirement, Alan can't sit still. Later this year, he's taking on the Board facilitator role with the Maleny Credit Union, where he's served as a director since 2000. One thing Alan can't stand is being bored! The question on many people's lips is: "When's the final farewell party?" Stay tuned!

• Famous last words
In preparing this article I talked to many people, but I can only include some snippets in closing:

"During the short time that I have had the pleasure of working with Alan, I have found him to be a man of exceptional intellect. We have worked together on two major projects for the benefit of the long-term future of the organisation and Alan has been extremely efficient, diligent and completely reliable, a very effective and strong team leader, a man of integrity and an excellent strategic thinker. Alan is a real asset to the community."
- Fern Veit, Co-op director from late 2007

"I've found Alan compassionate, approachable, well grounded and with an excellent grasp of the financial realities of the business. I was very pleased to hear that Maple Street Co-op was taking over the Club."
- Ian McDonald, Co-op site lessor

"Alan has made a substantial contribution to Maleny's growth, which follows on from Jill Jordan's concept of the co-operative development in Maleny, and he's been a very efficient and active exponent of the co-operative element. He deserves full praise for the level he's got the Co-op and the UpFront Club up to. It was well thought out and far sighted, and is working very well."
- Harry Whitehouse, UpFront Club licensee

"The Club was always in the red until Alan came along. He put it on its feet and it's forged ahead."
- Carmel Givens, UpFront Club founding member

"Despite his reluctance to perform stocktakes, I count Alan as a friend.
The Co-op will miss him."
- David Bromet, Maple Street Co-op auditor

[From "Maple Street Co-op News", August/September 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]