Celebrating 43 Years of Co-op Thymes: p 10 FEBRUARY 2014 First Alternative Volume 35 • Issue 2 Community Monthly presents the Co-op 4TH ANNUAL In This Issue: Board’s Month in Review: 2 General Manager Report, South wINTER Store Manager Report, Growing Organic Soil Sale: 3 February—it’s about YOU! 4 Brand Spankin’ New, Deli, wINE Grocery, Essential Oils: 5 Co-op Classes, Donations, ‘ Demo Calendar: 6 Greengable Garden, Wine Soiree Buzz: 7 Co-op Specials: 8 & 9 Budget Bites, 43 Years of Co-op Thymes:10 All About Staff: 11 at the Health Services Guide & Unclassifieds: 12 mAJESTIC 230 Campaign, Eco-Film Fest, Letters: 13 tHEATRE February Happenings: 14 Casper Candles, Citrus 115 SW 2nd ST Season:15 Corvallis Recipes—Spice Up Your Life!16 7-10 P.M. Sat. Feb. 8th 2014 campaign Ages 21+ And ups FMI: 541-753-3115 18 dollars lIVE mUSIC by Mango Django in advance s s --------------------- cHEESE wINE cHOCOLATE $22 dollars + Hors D'oeuvres & MOCKTAILS 230 at the door A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Majestic Theatre www.firstalt.coop FIRST ALTERNATIVE CO-OP PRSRT STD 1007 SE THIRD ST. US POSTAGE PAID op kitchen CORVALLIS, OR 97333 SALEM, OR PERMIT #178 sweet specials for the month of February Sweetheart Cookies & Chocolate Torte For Two in the Grab & Go! board report the board’s First Alternative Co-op Community Monthly month in review We were joined at our January serving on our Board. This is a great opportunity to represent board meeting by Linda Kapuler. owners, influence the direction of our co-op, and represent She had previously spoken to the First Alternative in our larger community. You can find more Toni Hoyman, Board regarding her concerns information about running for a Board position by reviewing The Co-op Thymes is published on the 1st of each Board Member about GMOs (genetically the candidate packet at Customer Service at either store or month. Correspondence and submissions are welcome. modified organisms) creeping looking online at: http://firstalt.coop. Send by e-mail or ‘snail mail’ to addresses listed below. into First Alternative’s products and deli offerings. This is a Deadline for all submissions is the 15th of the prior Finally, I would like to take this space to thank our 2 departing concern the Board, General Manager, and staff share. As the month. Opinions expressed in The Co-op Thymes are Board members: food “industrial complex” flexes strictly those of the writers and do not represent an its muscles, FA will be stepping I recruited Camille Freitag to join the Board endorsement by, or official position of, First Alternative up its diligence so our staff will be at a difficult time. She stepped into her role Co-op, its Board, managers, or owners, unless As the food “industrial well-informed purchasers of the willingly, openly, and competently. She has specifically identified as such. The same is true of claims products they choose to bring complex” flexes its been a strong and reasoned voice. I was made by paid advertisers. to our stores. FA strives to have Board President when she joined and I asked The Co-op Thymes is a free publication available at clear informative labeling, and muscles, FA will be her to Chair the Board Recruitment and First Alternative and at other locations in the Corvallis suggestions for improvements are stepping up its diligence Elections Committee at her first meeting. area. Owners may receive the paper via mail. It can always welcome. She guided this committee to its current also be viewed online at www.firstalt.coop. streamlined efficient form. Camille served Linda mentioned a recent so our staff will be well- Editors: Donna Tarasawa & Emily Stimac two terms as Board President, leading us documentary, “Genetic Roulette, informed purchasers of through our second, and successful, GM Design/layout: Emily Stimac & Jessica Brothers The Gamble of Our Lives” that search and she has been a committed force Photography: Emily Stimac & Jessica Brothers she strongly recommended to the products they choose on our Policy Governance Committee. Thank the Board; most of us had viewed to bring to our stores. you for your service…your voice and intellect it. Several board members had will be missed. gone further in researching some of the information presented in Dan Shapiro impressed everyone early on STORE LOCATIONS & HOURS this documentary, as well as some when he aced his interview on NPR Weekend of the scientists in the film. The Edition Sunday Puzzle with Will Shortz. Yes, I south store: Board discussed the possibility of was listening that day and was very surprised 1007 SE 3rd St., Corvallis, OR 97333 FA sponsoring a public viewing, as to hear a newly elected Board member….he Phone: (541) 753-3115 Fax: (541) 753-8401 part of our efforts to educate our was amazing! Besides that, Dan has been the Open 7 days a week, 7am-9pm owners and shoppers about the ever-present “English Major” helping to make North store: GMO issue, but no final decision our communications real good : ) He also has 2855 NW Grant Ave., Corvallis, OR 97330 or plan was made at this meeting. Linda gave us a copy of served two terms as Board President and led us during some Phone: (541) 452-3115 Fax: (541) 758-4257 “Genetic Roulette” which the Board greatly appreciates. You tough times. He has been fair and creative in his leadership. A Open 7 days a week, 7am-9pm will be hearing more about this very important food and big thank you to Dan…we will miss the humor you brought to our meetings. Web site: www.firstalt.coop health issue in the future. email address: [email protected] Our Capitalization Committee and management discussed a editor’s email: [email protected] great new project called the “230 campaign.” This is an effort campaign to raise capital to give a boost to FA. Ownership starts at [email protected] FA Board’s email: $70 but everyone can “buy in“ up to $300 total. By adding another $230 to your ownership you will be helping FA grow capital, which has been a challenge in this economy. 230 Campaign230 Forum Ownerships for low income owners can be purchased for Tuesday, Feb. 11th 6 pm as little as $5.00 down and $2.50 per month, $15 down and VISION STATEMENT $5.00 per month for those owners that don’t qualify as low North Store Meeting Room First Alternative aspires to be a cooperative model, income (levels based on SNAP guidelines), or in a $70 lump Talk with the Co-op Board, General Manager, and Finance providing high quality natural and organic products sum. To increase the equity on your share you can pick up Administrator about the campaign and learn more about in a community oriented store. one of the cranes at the register, have your cashier scan it and how you can help the Co-op be even stronger! ISSION TATEMENT put in whatever additional equity you wish, up to $230 over M S your initial $70 investment. Capital funds go for things like a First Alternative is a community market aspiring to new roof for the South store or other larger repair projects. be a model for environmental sustainability through Owners with current addresses on file were sent a letter our purchasing and workplace practices. We: explaining the 230 fund drive happening this month. We • seek to honor our traditions and build upon our encourage all who can increase their contributions to do so. potential. • are committed to cultivating tolerance and Towards the end of our meeting we talked about the 2014 diversity in our operations. FA Board elections. BREC (Board Recruitment and Elections Committee) asked if Dan, Camille, or Melissa planned to run • strive for excellence in our products and services, including wholesome organic foods, for re-election. Dan and Camille have decided not to run innovative education and community outreach, for various reasons involving life changes, work, etc. Melissa while offering high quality, local, organic and has not given a final answer. We will have at least 2 openings minimally packaged products whenever possible. for the Board this year. I encourage owners to consider • will act ethically and appropriately in our pricing practices. • seek to provide a democratic business climate, Co-op owners enjoy: fostering worker and Owner participation, according to cooperative principles. • Monthly Owner Sale Day Discounts • Electing Co-op Board of Directors THE INTERNATIONAL COOPERATIVE PRINCIPLES • Voting for Donation Recipients Voluntary and Open Membership­­­ • Receiving Co-op Thymes via mail Democratic Member Control • Patronage Dividends as profitability allows Member Economic Participation Autonomy and Independence First Alternative Co-op • Community-owned business Education, Training, and Information • Support Owner Worker opportunities Cooperation Among Cooperatives welcomed 50 new owners • It’s refundable! Concern for the Community in December, for a total of to buy an owner share, please stop by Customer service or call 541-753-3115 or 9568 Co-op owners! 541-452-3115. we are the co-op 2 The First Alternative Co-op Thymes February 2014 manager reports month of creating value love: A triple bottom line adds value to from chocolate to “Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, PLANET. First Alternative your co-op you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion employs many environmentally to reach for the stars to change the world.” ~Harriet Tubman friendly practices in our effort to This month I think we can I think a lot on value and what it means to different people. be good stewards of our planet.