Unity Farmers Market
Annual Meeting
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
- Meeting was held at 5 PM at Unity Community Center. In
attendance: Tess Woods (representing Unity Barn Raisers), Peg Byrne,
Sr. Bernadette Kasinathan, Linda & Gary Kersbergen, Lois Labbe,
Clayton Carter, Tom Roberts, Dan Tierney, Sr. Elizabeth Wagner.
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- Lois called the meeting to order at 5 PM. First item of
business was election of a secretary. Sr. Elizabeth offered, and was
unanimously voted in as secretary.
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- The relationship of the market with UBR was discussed. Tess
passed around a copy of UBR’s usage agreement for the
community center, as a model of the contract with the farmers
market. Tom noted that items to be added to it are: that UBR will
continue to do press releases, 3 advertisements in this year’s
newsletters, and will continue to coordinate other activities (such
as community dinners, yard sales, etc) with the market.
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- Discussion then moved on to the proposed by-laws. It was decided
that Lois as vice chair should continue to preside at the meeting,
in the absence of Peter, the chair. Sr. Elizabeth had already been
elected secretary, and was elected treasurer last year. There was
some discussion regarding re-election of all officers, but since
Peter was absent, it was decided to stick to current officers.
Clayton offered to serve as market master, and was voted in
unanimously. Sr. E asked about signing checks: does she need a
specific vote for each and every check? Tom noted that everything
already approved in the budget could be paid for, future expenses
will need future approval. Everyone concurred. Everyone also
concurred that it made sense for the treasurer to continue to
collect dues (as last year), since she (or he) will also be the one
to make deposits.
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- A question arose about the two members-at-large, but various
people remembered that Dan (and/or Hanne as alternate) and Linda had
been elected at a previous meeting. (Secretary’s note: I
checked with the minutes of that meeting, and we remembered
correctly!)
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Clayton moved that the by-laws be approved as revised; Sr.
Elizabeth seconded, motion was unanimously approved.
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- Discussion then moved on to the Market Rules. Sr. E suggested a
change in wording in the last sentence of #1, to clarify that it is
the market as a whole which has the contractual agreement with UBR.
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- Clayton then reported on the status of Annie’s coop
stand. No one has yet applied, although when he called the vendors,
they all expressed interest. He said he would try them again, but at
present there will be no Annie’s stand. Lois suggested we
leave the provisions for Annie’s in the rules for now, just in
case it might happen in the future. We reviewed the voids this would
leave: cheese, eggs, chicken, honey, hummus, milk, and ice cream.
Lots of voids, unfortunately.
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- Sr. E moved that the Market Rules be accepted, with the one
revision, Clayton seconded, motion was carried unanimously.
- No further vote was taken on the preliminary budget from last
meeting, as it seemed acceptable to all.
- Tom reported on the brochures. He will print 1,000. Some
discussion about paper color; blue was chosen for this year. We may
use different colors for different years. Tom had the preliminary
brochure for inspection, and needed any proposed changes to farm
descriptions ASAP. The website descriptions can change as needed.
Price for printing the brochures will be approximately $130.
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- There was some discussion about the advertising in the UBR
newsletter. Tess reported that they currently have a grant that
helps subsidize the current page that the market uses for
advertising, but the grant will not be there next year. Tom
wondered if it would be better to insert one of the market
brochures? Tess said that the current newsletter is already done;
she needs to know by May 19 if we want to change anything for the
June newsletter, which is currently scheduled to list the farms,
with photos, and have a schedule of market events. It was finally
decided to remain with the current advertising for this year, and
perhaps use brochures as inserts next year.
- The market revisited the subject of the contract with UBR, and
decided to accept UBR’s usage agreement, with the additions
about press releases, ads in the newsletters, and coordination with
other activities. Sr. E moved to approve the usage agreement with
these additions, Tom seconded, and it carried unanimously. There was
some discussion about opening up and cleanup activities that members
need to do each week.
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- In final business, Tess said she would be on hand at opening day
for the yard sale and dinner, and would give us us keys then, and
will give the treasurer the checkbook at that time.
- Sr. E moved that we adjourn, Clayton seconded, unanimous.
Meeting was adjourned at 6:15 PM.
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- Respectfully submitted,
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Sr. Elizabeth Wagner,
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Secretary.
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