board meeting minutes 

Regular Board Meeting Minutes

16 December 2025

Present:   Kay Coburn, Cathy-Ann Glockner, James Hiebert, Paul Cowan, Kendal Benesh, Mike Morrison

Regrets: Kate Miers, Leannah Fidler

Staff Present: Ashley Elliott (HR Director, IGM), Sean Silverson (Finance Director, IGM), Amanda Verigin (Marketing Director), Andrew Kent (Food Services Manager, only as noted)

Chair: Kay Coburn

Recorder: Sadie Yancey (Board Administrative Assistant)

Meeting brought to order at 4:33 pm on Zoom

Adoption of December Meeting Agenda:  M/Paul S/Kendal, no amendments. All in favour.

Declaration of Interests: none

Approval of November Meeting Minutes:  M/Cathy-Ann S/James, no amendments. All in favour.

Approval of consent agenda, including: 

• Governance Committee minutes 
• Board Development Committee minutes
• Finance Committee minutes
• Member Engagement Committee minutes
• HR Committee

M/Kendal S/Paul

The Chair supported Member Engagement considering their role is and how it relates to Marketing

CARRIED. All in favour.

Business Arising

1. Review member feedback.  
2. Approve Member Response Templates.  The Member Engagement Committee reviewed the templates that the BAA uses for the initial response to member emails.  

MOTION To approve the Member Response Templates, as circulated

M/Mike S/Cathy-Ann

CARRIED All in favour

4:40pm Andrew arrived

3. Manager of the Month – Andrew Kent, Food Services
   1. Andrew shared with the board information about the Food Services Department – an overview of the staffing, holiday production, and new True Local vendors.
   2. Andrew responded to questions from directors. Directors celebrated the quality of food created by the kitchen.

4:50pm Andrew left

4. Repayment of Loan. The Treasurer shared that the remainder of the mortgage on 407 Hall Street has been fully paid. 
5. Board Budget. The Treasurer shared highlights of the board budget from the first 6 months of the year. 
6. Lessons from BC Fruit Trees webinar. Several participants shared a take-way from a recent webinar on the 2024 closure of BC Tree Fruits Co-op.
7. Strategic Plan review. The annual review of the strategic plan will happen Saturday January 24th, with agenda confirmed at the January meeting

IGM Report – Presented by Sean Silverson and Ashley Elliott

8. Sean shared the highlights from the November financials, as circulated.  As with the last number of months, sales and net income continue to be strong, with November sales approximately 6% above the same month last year.
9. A director asked if we’re having trouble getting supplies with the recent highway closure. An IGM reported that there are not many issues, as some major suppliers have pivoted to Calgary distribution.
10. City of Nelson Sustainability Leadership Award.  The Co-op was nominated by a member for the ongoing efforts towards environmental and community sustainability. 
11. Questions from member attendees – There are no non-board members in attendance.

Next Meetings:

January 20th – 4:30pm on Zoom

January 24th – 9am – 12:30 at Studio 88

February 17th – 5pm In person (4:30 dinner) 

The meeting adjourned to in camera session at 5:14pm