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December, 2011

  1. Spanish Language Flyer

    December 22, 2011 by Colleen M

    On Cathy Frankenberg’s suggestion (good thinking!), and through Elizabeth Firth’s translation (thank you!), we now have a Spanish language flyer available for distribution!

    Spread the word to everyone! Print or email or post some flyers today so that everyone knows about our next meeting (info here).

    [To download the English language flyer, click here.]

    To download the Spanish language printable flyer:

    1. Click here to download a pdf version.
    2. Open the pdf.
    3. Print as many sheets as you would like.
    4. Trim each sheet into 4 flyers and distribute to everyone!

    To download the Spanish language web flyer:

    1. Right-click on the following image and save it to your computer.
    2. Post on your blog, Facebook wall, website, Twitter, etc.. Email it to your friends, family & co-workers.
    Co-Op Flyer- Spanish

    Spread this flyer on the web!

    Category General Info | Tags: ,,, | 1 Comment

  2. Attention!!! Next Meeting Scheduled!

    December 20, 2011 by Colleen M

    The enthusiasm about our food co-op is still going strong, and people are chattering all over town about it! To pull all of our thoughts together and keep moving forward, another meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, January 19 at 7pm at the Ice House on Sand Island. RSVP here. Watch your email, this blog and the Facebook group for meeting agendas! Feel free to bring a vegetarian snack (so everyone can try it!) or non-alcoholic beverage.

    The meeting will be in two parts:

    7-8pm: Committee Meetings (Finance, Planning, Communication & Membership)
    If you would like to sign up for a committee, email bethlehemcoop@gmail.com
    If you have not signed up for a committee and are not interested in serving on one, there is no need to attend this portion of the meeting.

    The committees will discuss first steps towards co-op progress (look for objectives soon!) and will decide on two supervisory positions to be taken within the committee. The responsibilities for these 2-3 individuals will include solidifying meeting times, keeping group notes & reporting at full c0-op meetings.

    8-9pm: Collective Meeting
    Remember, we’ll be voting on the official name for the co-op at this meeting! Preliminary voting to select the top 5 nominations will be held on the message board beginning shortly after the new year. More information on how to cast your primary vote to come! Name submissions will be accepted until 1/1/12. To submit a name idea, leave it in a comment through this link.

    Category Events | Tags: ,,, | 1 Comment

  3. Spread the Word

    December 8, 2011 by Colleen M

    In order to make sure that all Bethlehem residents know about the co-op in the works and can choose to become involved, all of us need to take part in spreading the word! To make that a little easier, here are some flyers you can distribute in print or online. For the time being, until the official name is voted on, the flyers refer to the Bethlehem Grocery Co-Op since that is what the Facebook group that started this all is called.

    To download the printable flyer:

    1. Click here to download a pdf version.
    2. Open the pdf.
    3. Print as many sheets as you would like.
    4. Trim each sheet into 4 flyers and distribute to everyone!

     

    To download the web flyer:

    1. Right-click on the following image and save it to your computer.
    2. Post on your blog, Facebook wall, website, Twitter, etc.. Email it to your friends, family & co-workers.

      Co-Op Flyer Web

      Spread this flyer on the web!

    Category General Info | Tags: ,, | 3 Comments

  4. Name That Co-Op!

    December 5, 2011 by Colleen M

    As many of you have probably noticed, the co-op has been referred to by several different names in different venues. We have bethlehemfood.org, Bethlehem Grocery Co-Op Facebook page, Bethlehem Food Co-Op handouts, and probably a slew of other terms being thrown around in conversation.

    Since it was voted on and decided to move forward with the planning necessary to bring a co-op to fruition, it would be beneficial to all be on the same page in terms of what we refer to when we talk about this wonderful project. Common language will help us clearly define ourselves and communicate what we are all about to those who don’t know what we are doing yet! Basically, we need a name!

    Common Language is a Good Thing

    So, in the democratic spirit of a cooperative, we are asking for YOU to name the co-op. Take a look at the following guidelines, then come to the next co-op meeting (January 19, details to be announced!) to vote on the official name.

    Call for Entries

    Entry Deadline: January 1, 2012

    What to Enter: Your best idea for a name for our co-op

    How to Enter: Add your idea as a comment on this blog post

    Decision Making: Entries will be compiled by meeting facilitators and voted on at the next co-op meeting on January 19 (time & location to be announced)

    A Few Things to Consider

    • Copyrighted names may not be used. If an entry is found to be an infringement on copyright, it will be disqualified.
    • Offensive and/or derogatory language is not okay.
    • The name should give people a clue as to what we are all about (location, organization type, etc.)
    • Give everyone a chance—be considerate in how many entries you submit!
    • Creativity is a wonderful thing—Think outside the box!

    Let the entries begin!

    Category Events, General Info | Tags: ,,, | 19 Comments

  5. Discussion Forums are Live!

    December 2, 2011 by Matty

    Hey Everyone, Matty (your friendly webmaster) here. Colleen is driving this ship and doing a fantastic job so far, so I probably won’t be posting too much. BUT I did want to take a moment to re-mention that we now have forums up and running at http://www.bethlehemfood.org/forum (there is a link to the right), though they aren’t completely integrated with the blog yet. There are discussion boards for each of the different committees, an idea box, and more. Check it out when you get a chance – and please contribute your ideas. We’re still at a brainstorming stage, so if you think of something throw it out there. There is no such thing as a bad idea right now.

    Have a fantastic weekend!

    Category General Info | Tags: | 1 Comment

  6. Initial Meeting Agenda

    December 2, 2011 by Colleen M

    Here is the agenda from the first meeting. The content from this agenda will also be covered at the second meeting for those who couldn’t make it to the first (times will obviously be different). Within the next couple of days, the first batch of meeting notes will be compiled and shared!

    Also, check out the new FAQ page for answers to some common questions.

    Co-Op Meeting & Potluck @ the Bethlehem Area Public Library 11/30/11

    7:00 Pass Sign-In Sheet

    7:10 Make Introductions & Present Agenda for Additions

    7:20 What is a Cooperative?

    The History of Co-Ops
    The Co-Op Principles
    Types of Co-Ops

    7:35 Break-out Brain-Storming Groups:

    What is the One Thing We Must Get Right to Be Successful?
    What Is Our Biggest Challenge?
    What Do We Want Our Co-Op to Look Like?

    7:50 Regroup to Share Thoughts

    8:20 Getting Started: 9 Steps to Creating a Successful Co-Op

    1. Gather background: Get information, identify needs, convene a core group of interested individuals.
    2. Organize
    3. Research feasibility
    4. Review findings and vote to incorporate
    5. Recruit members
    6. Plan and finance
    7. Secure financing
    8. Begin operations
    9. Open the doors!

    8:30 Sign-ups for Planning, Finance, Membership, & Communication committees.

    8:45 Vote on moving forward.

    9:00 Adjourn

    Category General Info | Tags: ,,, | No Comments

  7. Make-Up Meeting

    December 1, 2011 by Colleen M

    A second meeting will be held for those who could not make it to the first! The agenda will be the same as the first meeting. If you could not attend the 11/30 meeting, please join us! If you did attend the first meeting, please do not attend this one, as space will be limited.

    What: Make-Up Meeting for those who could not attend 11/30

    When: Sunday, December 11, 2011 4-7pm

    Where: Jumbars, 1342 Chelsea Ave, Bethlehem, PA 18018

    RSVP on the Facebook event if you can!

     

    While you’re at it, pop on over to our new discussion forum and add your voice to the mix!

    Category Events, General Info | Tags: ,, | 1 Comment

  8. This is REAL.

    December 1, 2011 by Colleen M

    A few hours ago, I sat, somewhat stunned at the huge turnout, in Bethlehem Public Library at the first meeting for the Bethlehem Grocery Co-Op. What seemed like a far fetched dream several years ago as I hauled my groceries on the bus or waited for a ride to get to the nearest grocery store now seems like a real possibility. As the chairs filled and people spilled into the hallway to hear information about the history of co-ops, the realistic steps towards opening one, and the principles behind one, the energy in the room was practically as visible as fireflies. Jaime, Cathy and Summer did an excellent job organizing the meeting and keeping us enthusiastically on task. When we broke into brainstorming groups, I could feel the wealth of ideas filling the air, and there was no shortage of people signing up to volunteer on different committees.

    First Meeting Crowd

    Both the crowd and the excitement were too great to contain in the room!

    I have somehow wonderfully ended up with the task of keeping a blog as a record of the progress we all make in the long, surely arduous, yet amazingly satisfying process of creating a grocery co-op in Bethlehem. As this is a co-op (meaning cooperative), please don’t hesitate to leave your comments and suggestions about the blog, offer to help with content generation as needed or share this blog with anyone and everyone. Your voice will be heard!

    I came home so energized that I couldn’t bear to not jump right in and get this blog up, so here we have it! In the next few days, look to find the handout information and more details from the first meeting, and keep your eyes open for scheduling information about a meeting to accommodate those who could not attend tonight. In coming weeks, I’ll also be adding content from the co-op Facebook group (click here to join!) and tweaking the layout to suit the needs of the group.

    In the meantime, friends, foster that enthusiasm as fuel to keep us going so we can make this happen! This is REAL.

    -Colleen Marsh

    P.S. For a super quickly posted more detailed account of the first meeting, take a look at The El Vee blog coverage.

    Category General Info | Tags: ,, | 2 Comments