Moving the Co-op into the Future
added 05/01/08
Michael Shuman, author of The Small-Mart Revolution: How Local Businesses are Beating the Global Competition and co-founder of the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies, presented the keynote speech at the Co-op’s Annual Meeting on Sunday, April 27th. Shuman offered his visionary ideas on the creation of self-reliant communities to a rapt audience of Co-op members and explained how cooperatives are uniquely positioned to contribute to the success of their local economies.
This member-oriented evening began with a social hour featuring a selection of beautiful desserts individually prepared by staff from our own Catering Department and Commissary Kitchen. Our “chefs“departments/catering, delivery drivers, and prep cooks took great delight in providing some of their personal favorites, from exquisite chocolate concoctions to succulent baklava and fresh strawberry shortcake.
The business meeting that followed included presentation of the annual Allen and Nan King Award for Community Service. Susan Gault and Mark Lansburgh, both active board members of Willing Hands Enterprises, were the recipients this year. Each was nominated by different Co-op members who recognized the significance of their contributions to the success of this organization which collects surplus food and distributes it to the needy. The Board decided to honor them as co-awardees, with each one receiving $500 to give to the non-profit organization of her or his choice.
On Monday, August 28th, Shuman brought his expertise and insights to 120 local business owners and community leaders at an early morning breakfast organized by the Co-op, with help from Vital Communities and Local First Vermont. Judging from the enthusiastic response, we expect the event to be the first of many steps taken by this dynamic group as it pursues its own vision of a thriving, self-reliant Upper Valley community.
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Meet Ann Smith Lyons
We’ve all heard the stories: You have a once-in-a-lifetime event such as a wedding or major anniversary, you plan everything a year in advance, and something still goes wrong with the flowers. Ann Smith Lyons, Operations Manager for the Co-op Floral Department, will ensure that doesn’t happen.
Grocery Department
Walk into the cereal section of a big-chain grocery store and there is one thing you’ll notice that they all have in common: high-sugared cereals, located down low on shelves near the floor. Why?
