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Well I have to admit that I'm feeling well rested and warm after spending the last week in Mexico. We had a great trip filled with sunshine, delicious food and time to relax. And now it's back to business.
I wanted to take a quick minute to give a 'shout out' to the GTG Outreach Committee. You may or may not realize that 14 committee members meet every other Wednesday morning all year long to make plans to help GTG grow. This team is comprised of outstanding and dedicated people who want to make Green Top a reality and we certainly wouldn't be closing in on 700 owners with out them. Cheers to the Green Top Outreach Committee!
Katie Novak Outreach Manager |
Melanie Shellito, GTG President
On January 9-10, we were thrilled to host some key people from the cooperative industry. They spent time with the board, answered a LOT of our questions about this stage of our process, and toured Bloomington/Normal looking at the three sites we've zeroed in on. It was incredibly helpful to get perspective from 'fresh eyes' and their insights were incredibly helpful and thought-provoking. We also voiced our frustration about the time it's taking to select our final site. And you know what? they laughed! I mean... they empathized with our anxiety, but mostly they knowingly chuckled. And then they gave us a 'reality check' that is worth sharing with all of you, because it really made us reframe our 'problem'. They said "Do you know how lucky you are to have THREE potential sites with property owners who want to partner with your co-op? Do you know how rare it is to have not one but TWO local governments who see the value of a co-op and want to find you space? Do you know how many start-ups would jump for joy to have their selection timeline taking longer because they have TOO MANY viable options?"
Hmm... well, we hadn't really seen it like that! But it's totally true. And I, for one, am incredibly proud to be part of a community whose leadership has stepped forward in such a big way. And I'm proud and gratified that there are property owners in this town who feel the same level of commitment to bringing this valuable asset to life. Our biggest problem right now is an abundance of opportunity! So, yes, we wanted very much to have made an announcement by now (almost as much as you want to hear it!) but we've been presented with some very exciting possibilities and we owe it to you, our owners, to explore them. Our site will be our site for the next 10+ years, and it will markedly determine financial strength as the store matures, and... it's going to take time to choose.
So while we're all patiently waiting for The Big Green Top Announcement, let's take a moment to be proud of this visionary community we live in!
Melanie Shellito, GTG board president
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The Board of Directors Needs YOU
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Jerica Etheridge, GTG Vice President
Are you interested in getting more involved with Green Top and would like to help guide our co-op as we work towards opening our store? Now is the time to start thinking about whether serving on the board interests you. Our Board consists of nine directors serving three year terms which are staggered so that each year three Director positions come up for election. This May, Green Top Grocery will hold its 3rd annual Owner Meeting where the election to fill those positions will take place.
Currently, the Board of Directors meets bi-monthly (1st and 3rd Wednesdays at 7:30pm) for roughly 90 minutes. The Board uses a shared online management tool and Directors must therefore have access to the internet and e-mail. In addition to bi-monthly Board meetings, Directors are also expected to be present at Owner meetings and some Outreach events. The Board of Directors' duties include, but are not limited to, overseeing the operations and finances of Green Top Grocery, establishing policies to govern operational decisions, serving on board committees, engaging a General Manager and monitoring and evaluating his or her performance, securing good conditions of employment, and assuring that the purpose and mission of Green Top Grocery are properly carried out.
To be a qualified Board member:
- Nominee must be a Green Top Owner in good standing.
- Nominee must have been a Green Top Owner at least three months prior to the election.
- Nominee must not have any conflict of interest with Green Top Grocery.
If you are interested in running for the Board, please contact us at [email protected] so that a current director can answer any questions you may have about what serving on Green Top's Board entails. The deadline for nominations will be near the end of February, stay tuned for details regarding the nomination process.
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Check it out! Get Involved!
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Check it out.
The 6th Annual Up and Coming, Up and Running (UCUR) Conference Held in Bloomington, IN February 27-28, 2015 There will be workshops addressing the three stages of new co-op development; community building, financing and designing the store, and implementing systems and opening the doors. Melanie Shelito (GTG Board President) and Katie Novak (GTG Outreach Manager) will be among the presenters! For more information go to: http://www.upandcoming.coop/ Community Supported Agriculture (CSAs) are a great way to support local farmers and have existed for over 25-years. How it works: Interested consumers purchase a share (aka a "membership" or a "subscription") from a local farm/farmer and receive a box (bag, basket) of seasonal produce each week throughout the farming season. - Farmers get to market their produce early in the year, before long days working the fields begin, and receive payment early in the season, which helps with the farm's cash flow
- Farmers also have an opportunity to get to know the people who eat the food they grow
- Customers get ultra-fresh food, with all the flavor and vitamin benefits, and usually get to visit the farm at least once a season
- Customers get exposed to new vegetables and new ways of cooking
Interested? Contact Katie Novak ([email protected]) for info on Green Top Owners/Farmers who have CSA openeningss or check out more information at the Buy Fresh Buy Local Website. Get Involved. 
Green Top and the Bloomington Public Library bring you the upbeat & fun food documentary Food Patriots.
Food Patriots begins with a wake up call: filmmakers Jeff Spitz and Jennifer Amdur Spitz's son got sick eating chicken contaminated with a super-bug, and antibiotics failed. The film chronicles the family's new found interest in food sources, getting outlawed chickens, and meeting people from all walks of life who are trying to change the way Americans eat food, buy food, and educate the next generation of consumers. They call the people who are doing this Food Patriots.
Joins us!
February 5, 2015
6 p.m.
Bloomington Public Library Community Room
FREE!
After the film guest speaker Deborah Niemann-Boehle of Antiquity Oaks Farm (and Green Top Owner) will share with us the health benefits of eating locally.
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by Green Top Grocery Owner
Barb Maxwell
February is just around the corner and it is ALL about FOOD.
Healthy Superbowl recipes and menus!
Healthy Valentine's Day treats!
February is National Cherry month. Learn 10 Health Benefits of Cherries.
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 Dances of Universal Peace
15th Annual
Mexico Dance Camp
Feb 2-9, 2015
Puerto Morelos,
Mexico
Cost $225 US
Attendees responsible for own room & board.
To register, send $100 deposit (or full fee) to Adrianna Heideman, 11126 3500 Road, Hotchkiss, CO 81419
For more info,
contact Naomi Wilansky (309) 825-8818
Indoor Farmers Market
Coliseum
10am -12pm
February 21
March 20
April 17
Find great local produce (greens, potatoes, carrots), meats, cheese, baked goods and more!
For more information click here.
Community Gardens
Interested in learning more about Community Gardening? This brochure can help get you started. Discover locations of Bloomington-Normal community gardens, find gardening resources, and more!
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Do you have questions you'd like to ask about Green Top? Want to pick up a brochure or an application? Want to see where all the "magic" happens? Then stop by Green Top's newly established office hours and meet our newest employee Jodi Stalsworth! 
Standard Office Hours
Wed 5:30-7:00 p.m.
Thurs 10:30 - 1:00 p.m. 
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