December 15, 2009 Rainbow Natural Grocery Board Meeting Minutes by Charlotte Lundemo

The meeting started at 6:10pm

Board Members present: Scotta Brady, Irene Jones, Gen Barbour, Tom Lowe, Charlotte Lundemo and Leo Huddleston. Also present were, Bruce Frazier and Luke Lundemo.

The minutes of the last meeting were approved after minor changes.

Steve Whitlow’s report: As expected, sales dipped in November but ran three percent ahead of last year. Payroll was nine percent below a year ago. The café sales were up seven percent above last year and their payroll was six percent lower than last year. Their losses for November were under $700 while last year November café losses were about $5,000. New members for the first 14 days of December stood at 187.

Bruce Fraser’s Financial Report: The profit and loss statement showed that in this fiscal year which started in August, we are about $20,000 ahead of budgeted net income before taxes. Our balance sheet showed a small increase in assets as well as a small increase in liabilities making the overall effect little changed.

Luke’s Report: All the information required by Hope Credit Union has been delivered to them and we now are waiting for them to make a decision. The Rainbow Green Services and Rainbow Fair Trade Handicrafts store opened on November 19. The dinner and a movie held in November was very successful and brought in $400. The staff appreciation party was a big hit. Lots of pizza consumed and everyone loved their bonus checks. The bonuses will also help lighten our tax burden for 2009. Rainbow received recognition from the Mississippi Recycling Coalition for our recycling efforts.

In new business there were several ideas presented about making Rainbow more user friendly.

Ideas included signage that encourages shoppers to ask our staff questions, a youtube video about how to use the bulk department, a Rainbow facebook account, making the Rainbow pamphlet downloadable from the website and a Rainbow and High Noon twitter account, having a social networking seminar.

The meeting adjourned at 7:30pm.