This year we are still able to see the immense impact The Co-op has with owners/members and the greater community, from providing vibrant healthy food to our commitment of still being a positive force in our town and beyond.
For newcomers to our community, co-ops are still one of the best ways to connect to others that share your values, concerns and efforts to create a better world for all of us. The Co-op provides support not just with the food we provide, but also with social and economical connectivity.
With our amazing team and social media, we are able to inform our owners/members about healthy eating and lifestyle options. The experienced staff share their knowledge of products that benefit each customer/member request.
By being able to connect with our local farmers we have been able to buy produce and products locally produced to the sum of $120,000. This includes an extensive range of locally and organically grown vegetables and fruit, honey, drinks, skin care ranges, jams, cakes and various other groceries and much more.
We give back consistently to local organisations that are doing good in our community through many various sponsorships and donations. This year has included Barung, Lions Club, Maleny Show, Neighbourhood Centre and many health retreats.
The Co-op Children’s garden has flourished again this year. Many thanks to Laura Vecmane and her boundless energy. Also, a big thanks to all our great volunteers, special thanks to Jodie Robbins and Anni Philp for their weekly commitment
Farewell to our long term committed Chair, Garry Claridge. Garry has been supporting us over the last eight years. Originally a director from 2010 to 2013, Garry came back to the board in 2015 to help with our fellow Co-op, The Upfront Club. His dedication to The Co-op over the years has been exceptional, as the Chair and as the Board Staff Liaison, with continual attendance to our monthly staff meetings. Garry will be greatly missed.
The management team are now looking forward to supporting the board in considering strategic options for possible future expansion, improved member/customer engagement and enhanced product offerings.
Yacoba Verstraten, Shop Manager & Peter Pamment, Business Manager
October 2018.
Much appreciation is offered to the Management and Staff of our cooperative enterprise. They
contribute significantly to the success of the store in meeting our goals and are hence a very
valuable business and social asset.
The Board of Directors - consisting of seven members - has met monthly over the last year as well as Directors meeting for sub-committees and working groups.
Of note, from our governance policy:
The purpose of the Board, on behalf of the members, is to see to it that the Maple Street Co-operative Society Ltd:
A. Achieves the outcomes outlined in the Ends Policies.
B. Operates within the Executive Limitation Policies.
C. Meets the performance targets outlined in the Board-Manager Linkage Policies.
In a nutshell the main roles of the Board are: check to ensure we are operating legally, set direction for financial viability and ethical operations, and represent Members.
We do need more members to step forward to be Directors of our cooperative. Please consider an offer of cooperation to assist in maintaining the presence of our enterprise in a busy and market challenged environment.
During this year we have conducted engagements with members and staff for the purpose of
determining our strategic direction towards the year 2023 (five years away). These
directions/options will be valuable for operations planning by our management team.
Thank you to Members for trading with our enterprise and for their loyalty. We believe that
shopping choices can influence the world around us and hence has the potential to increase
human and biosphere well-being.
Garry Claridge - Chair of the Board of Directors
October 2018