[BCN] harvest

[Jeff Rosenblum]

All:

Is someone is interested enough to set up some sort of workshop session 
regarding Harvest? Invite a current board member (I know many of them), 
invite me (former board president), Josh who has been following Harvest 
issues for years, and I can recommend others. You can use my office 
space in Central Sq (see link below) for a meeting.

This will allow anyone to ask any questions they want and begin learning 
about what Harvest Coop is all about. There are many many many many 
things that people don't know about Harvest. People assume a lot about 
Harvest just because it has the word "coop" in the title. It just not as 
simple as "Whole Foods is a corporation and Harvest is community owned". 
I wish it were.

Having been on the board for 5 years, and having worked with many others 
in the food coop network across the US, I feel I have a lot of 
understanding and ideas.

One note, Josh is incorrect in his characterization of my lack of 
interest in membership programs. Context is important. When I was on the 
board, there were extremely urgent matters to be dealt with in the short 
term. And I was not able to get buy-in by the rest of the board on my 
longer term vision for Harvest.

All of this is best discussed in person, so this is my last commentary 
over email. Face to face discussion is needed for effective and lasting 
social change.

If someone sets up a meeting and can ensure that it is well attended (at 
least 10 people, preferably from housing coops), I would be happy to 
share my time. I really encourage people who care to get involved. That 
is the only way. Opening your mind to be able to apply values to a 
business is key. Things have changed since the 70s when food coops first 
started. We need a new way for the new times.

I have started a new nonprofit re: transportation advocacy so am quite 
busy. http://www.livablestreets.info

But I have been involved in food coops for some 20 years since college, 
and am very committed to the concept, and really want it to succeed 
(that's why I joined the board), so would be pleased to share my 
experiences and knowledge.

Jeff
Bishop Allen Drive Coop