January 26 ,2020
Annual General Membership Meeting Minutes
At the Rodeo Grounds in Honaunau
Call to order Suzanne Shriner 12:28 pm.
Have 34+ present s0 have quorum
Approval of 2019 minutes Motion to approve by Karen and Mark second Motion approved
Review of 2019 -- Suzanne Shriner
Newsletter - Thank you to Claire.
Thank you to Board members for their hard work.
Expo had 400+ people. This year it will be 2 day event here at the rodeo grounds.
Class action lawsuit- 5 plaintiffs are named in the lawsuit but KCFA isn’t part of the case. If it is certified as a class action, then all growers will be included. 18 defendants in lawsuit are alleged to have sold fraudulent Kona coffee. If the class action is successful then all farms will be eligible to share in the damages awarded by the Court.
There is a federal regulation banning importation of unrosated coffee into Hawaii and Puerto Rico to protect coffee farms from the introduction of pests and diseases. Unfortunately, the State allows green coffee into Hawaii. We want to know why the federal rule is not being followed. KCFA trying to get more information under freedom of information requests.
KCFA had 5 educational workshops. Pruning is coming up. If anyone is interested, please let us know we need suggestions and help.
KCFA representatives attended Ag day at the Legislature, Slow Foods in CO and Hawaii on the Hill in Washington, DC.
We joined HCA board. They are now supporting 51% in our blends. In April HCA attends SCA show in Portland. Watch for more information. HCA signed contract with Oritain which does origin testing. They can tell in green and roasted coffee within 200 yards of the geographic origin. They hope to map the area to help eliminate fraud.
Holualoa Coffee & Art Stroll. Chefs choice awards.
Reports
Membership -Chet Gardiner: 180 voting, 16 supporting, 28 associate total 224. Expo Saturday May 9 and 10, 2020.
Financial Jim Monk- Thanks to Jeannine for help. Assets $49,000+. Assets down $8000 due to programs. Dues $6200 and contributions of $1500 for lobbyist, $5100 merchandise and also had grant funding. Jim also discussed use of plaintiffs’ law firm to represent KCFA as to subpoena questions at no cost to us. Suggestion to have donation button more obvious place on the website.
Legislative Update--Bruce Corker: introduction of legislative committee. This year we hired a lobbyist, Gary Hossier. That is expensive; we dedicated $10,000 toward it. Request for testimony for 4 bills. Most important is the 51% minimum bill with identification of the other 49% to be specified on the label. Compromise with HCA that allows blenders to say 49% foreign imported beans. Question on why not 100%? The reason is getting it passed. Hawaii farmers Union United, Kona County Farm Bureau and other farmer and consumer groups support 51%. Most dedicated opponent of changing the 10% blend law has been Hawaii Coffee Company--Hononlulu’s largest roaster--owned by mainland interests.
Other 3 bills: (1) Ready to drink coffee bill--because ready to drink coffee is not covered by the labeling law; (2) CBB subsidy extension and funding; (3) a bill requiring Hawaii to follow the federal ban on importation of unroasted coffee. All are scheduled for hearing before legislative committees.
Vote to amend bylaw: Correction in wording Jim and Cea Bruce speaks in opposition of changes in wording. Article XI of the By-Laws requires that language of any proposed by-law amendment be provided to the membership two weeks before the AGM vote on the proposed amendment Bruce says the By-Laws require that only the language sent out two weeks in advance can be voted on. Can’t be changed now. Suzanne says there can be changes to amendment by floor.
Suzanne Pro: does not want blenders to infiltrate the organization. The idea is to prevent that happening. This should only be a farmer organization not any outside members not invested in the land.
Bruce Con: Three points-- (1) voting on the amended language is a clear violation of by-laws; (2) The Board voted not against recommending this proposal mainly because in 2006 when KCFA was formed there was specific discussion about this limitation. The bylaws prohibit non-farmers from serving as officers, but does not limit Board membership to farmers. The thought was to allow for additional expertise on board for interested non-farmers. The provision that only farmers with 51% of coffee income from their farm could be voting members--protects against a takeover of KCFA by the blenders; and (3) this issue has been very divisive on the Board. It became a divisive personal matter directed at one Board member because of her employment.
Discussion--about board member removal. Question about 51% income Has to be coffee grown on their farm. Definition of Kona coffee farmers. Discussion of by-law language. Question who can attend board meetings-- answer is KCFA members can attend. Patrick said we have a lot going on and there are budgetary concerns. He feels making this organization and Board more inclusive rather that exclusive is the best direction. Question from Erika about what is the difference between board members and officers.
Motion to fix typo. Out of 40 voting members- 17 in favor
Motion for bylaw change as written. Motion defeated.
Election- introduction of people running for board and a brief statement from each.
Up for reelection Bruce Corker, Colehour Bondera
Nominated Barbara Anderson, Bill Dwyer, John Koontz, Tom Rayson, John Zulkowski
Motion for acclamation acceptance of all candidates-by Karen and second Jim. Motion passed
Adjourned
Submitted by Karen Zulkowski, Secretary
