APRIL 20, 2020 BOARD MEETING MINUTES
KCFA Board of Directors Meeting, Conference Call Meeting Because of Coronavirus
IN ATTENDANCE: Board Members: Barbara Anderson, Colehour Bondera, Bruce Corker, Chet Gardiner, John Koontz, Jim Monk, Sandra Scarr, Cea Smith, John Zulkowski. Past President: Suzanne Shriner. Absent: None
Call to Order: 2:32 pm
GENERAL
Consent Agenda:
Minutes: With an amendment to list absent Board Members, the Minutes of the 3/18/20 meeting—M/S/C for approval.
Committee Reports: After discussion of procedures for approval of new members and procedures for contacting non-renewing members, the committee reports were accepted as submitted—M/S/C
Treasurer’s Report: Following Jim Monk’s presentation and a discussion of inventory procedures—M/S/C for approval
OLD BUSINESS
Insurance: An ad hoc Insurance Committee has been formed. The members are George Peavy, Jim Monk, Cea Smith, Tom Rayson, John Zulkowski and Colehour Bondera. With input from a representative of the California Veterinarians Association on that organization’s insurance programs for members, initial exploration of similar offerings through KCFA has begun.
Standing Committees: The division of responsibilities for activities among the restructured standing committees was discussed. The committee chairs should, in most cases, be able to allocate responsibilities between committees. There was general agreement that local events (Holualoa Coffee & Art Stroll, Expo, banquets) would be led by the Events Committee, off-island events (Made-in-Hawaii, Slow Food, SCA, Hawaii on the Hill) by the Promotions Committee, labor matters by the Protections Committee. It was noted that because of the coronavirus scheduled education events have been postponed and that the 2020 Hawaii on the Hill event has been cancelled.
Legislative Committee: Bruce advised that with the indefinite coronavirus recess of the Legislature, it is uncertain when or whether consideration of pending bills (including the 51% minimum and other coffee related bills) will occur. He also reported that last week a lawsuit had been filed in Honolulu federal district court seeking damages for consumers (not coffee farmers) for mislabeling of coffee by Hawaiian Isles Kona Coffee Company. Sandra reported on continuing investigation of the apparent disregard of the federal ban on importation of unroasted coffee into Hawaii.
Finance Committee/Budget Process: Jim began the budget discussion by noting that he had sent a revised Proposed FY 2021 budget document to the Board earlier in the day incorporating the proposed budget figures from the committees. He suggested that at this meeting the focus not be on specific budget numbers, but rather on bigger issues. There was a lengthy discussion of proposals from the April 13 Finance Committee/Committee Chairs meeting that KCFA consider hiring an executive director and/or a professional fundraiser to reverse the continuing decline of revenue. The consensus was that both these suggestions remain open for further development and consideration, but that they are not at this point part of the budget process. The Legislative Committee’s proposal for hiring a political consultant/lobbyist for the 2021 Session was also the subject of lengthy discussion. Concerns were raised about the costs in light of falling revenues; concerns were expressed about abandoning key objectives spanning decades at a time when legislative progress is being made; suggestions were offered that a concerted fundraising program to support the legislative and lobbying efforts be pursued. The funding of events memberships (Made-in-Hawaii, Slow Food, SCA, Hawaii on the Hill, and memberships in oriGIn and American Origin Products Association) was also discussed with a broad range of opinions and not a clear consensus as to which, if any, should be funded. With this review of issues, there will be a follow up meeting of the Finance Committee/Committee Chairs to prepare a proposal for consideration of the Board.
Kona Typica and the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival Cupping Competition: Bruce raised concern that the “Kona Classic Division” in Festival’s cupping competition has been turned into a show case for exotic coffee varieties—rather than honoring the heritage flavor profile built from Kona Typica--the variety grown by more than 90% of Kona’s farms. In last fall’s cupping the 3 selected winners of the “Kona Classic Division” were Mocca, Gesha, and Red Bourbon coffees. Protection Committee Chair Barbara Anderson said that she would review the issue and consider how to raise the issue with the KCCF Board.
NEW BUSINESS
HCFCU Signature Authority: Jim requested the Board to adopt a resolution (copy attached as Exhibit A) to change the signatory authority for KCFA’s accounts with the Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union. Sandra moved for adoption; Chet seconded; motion carried. [[[[[[[Exhibit A-BOARD RESOLUTION The Kona Coffee Farmers Association (KCFA) Board of Directors hereby resolves the following:With regard to the accounts held by the KCFA at the Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union (HCFCU) the following actions are made. The following persons are to remain on the signature authority list: Sandra Scarr, James A Monk. The following person is to be removed from the signature authority list: Karen Zulkowski. The following person is to be added to the signature authority list: Colehour Bondera. The HCFCU is authorized to amend the list of signatures which it maintains for the KCFA accounts in accordance with the above changes.]]]]]]
Vanguard Accounts Authority: Jim also requested the Board to adopt a resolution (copy attached as Exhibit B) to authorize the KCFA President and KCFA Treasurer to act on behalf of the Association with regard to Vanguard mutual and/or brokerage account owned by the Association. Sandra moved for adoption; Chet seconded; motion carried.
[[[[[[[Exhibit B Resolution by the Kona Coffee Farmers Association Board of Directors At the April 20, 2020 Meeting The President, currently Colehour Bondera, and the Treasurer, currently James A Monk, are hereby authorized by this Resolution to act on behalf of the Association with regard to any Vanguard mutual fund accounts and/or brokerage accounts owned by the Association. Each such signatory is authorized to invest the assets of the organization, obtain information and give instructions for the purchase, sale, exchange or transfer of securities and execute any necessary documents in connection with those securities and/or the Vanguard mutual fund accounts and brokerage accounts owned by the Association. I attest that this Resolution was duly passed by the Board on April 20, 2020. Bruce Corker-Secretary-Kona Coffee Farmers Association]]]]]]
Liability Insurance: Chet and Jim made a presentation about the HDOA’s requirement that the KCFA obtain liability insurance with HDOA named as an additional insured--as a condition for a grant to assist in funding the EXPO. They have obtained a quote of approximately $1,300.00 and recommended authorization to purchase the policy. Jim moved for authorization; Cea seconded; motion carried.
Meeting adjourned—4:17 pm
