Before we jump into 2016, we want to reflect on the hard work and the progress we made in 2015. Thank you to all of our dedicated members and staff for a great year! Began our three year strategic planning process With your feedback, we were able to compile your thoughts, opinions, and dreams about Mariposa into a three year strategic plan. This plan will guide us through the next three years and directly affect the work we do.
Elected a new Board Meet them here (and keep an eye out for information on 2016's Board Elections in March)!
We turned 44! Don't we look good?! Along with celebrating our 44th birthday, we raffled off some of our favorite products on social media and in store and held a membership referral drive.
Introduced Eating Healthy on a Tight Budget Have you been yet? Eating Healthy on a Tight Budget is an initiative developed by Mariposa staff and members to educate, provide strategies, and hold discussions on balancing health, nutrition, and personal budgets. Monthly workshops entail a tour of Mariposa, including information on how to navigate the aisles and find the products you need, as well as an interactive cooking workshop on how to prepare a sample of healthy and affordable food. Workshops are free, open to the public, and held every third Saturday from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Implemented a new POS system & distributed Membership Cards Out with the old and in the with the new! Our new POS (point of sale) system is more efficient and offers better reporting for our staff. We were also able to (finally!) distribute membership cards to all of our members with the unveil of our new system.
Redesigned our cashier stations and checkout lines Our redesign allowed for two additional cashier stations and a speedier checkout line. We even added an express lane for those shopping for just a few items during our busiest hours.
Redeveloped new member orientations The need to redevelop our new member orientations stemmed from new members increasingly unable to attend a two hour member orientation, creating a backlog of new members waiting to become active members. New members can now become active members in as little as 24 hours once they complete the 10 minute member orientation.
Held our first Membership Appreciation Day Our Membership Department is looking to make this an annual event. A big thanks to our members who helped us throughout the day and to Bartram's Garden for allowing us to use their space.
Created a Membership Bulletin You can now find all member related information - including working-member interest forms, membership info, and event flyers - on the east wall by the Member Services Desk.
Began the search for a Transitional GM For most of our 40+ years of operation, we have been collectively managed. This past year, however, we implemented an interim co-management team to address some of the challenges associated with rapid staff and sales growth. We would like to thank Jamila Medley, who worked with us as our Organizational Development Coordinator until September, and Sam McCormick, our Operations Coordinator who will be leaving us mid-January, for their time spent growing and supporting Mariposa.
Early next year, we are seeking to hire a longer-term Transitional General Manager who can meet financial, operational, and strategic planning goals while working with staff to design and implement a new, sustainable democratic management structure. This position will begin in the spring of 2016 and will be contracted through the end of 2019. Upon recommendation of the Management Structure Committee, the Board has named Bull Gervasi, our current Facilities and Produce Coordinator, as the Interim General Manager until we hire a longer-term Transitional General Manager. Read more about Bull's interim role.
2015 in Review: Co-op News Round-Up
Temple’s Student-Run Rad Dish Co-op Opens Locally Sourced Cafe
PPA Approves Taxi Worker Co-op Following Threat of Lawsuit
How Cooperative Grocery Stores are Bringing Food Access to Low-Income Neighborhoods
These Nine People Gave Up the Middle-Class Dream. Was It Worth It?
Co-ops are Ready For Their Close Up