Kona Coffee Farmers Association
Meeting Minutes:
Board of Directors Meeting, 4:00 PM June 21, 2006
Location: CTAHR Conference Room, Kainaliu
Directors Present: Rick Funk, Nancy Griffith, Sandra Scarr, Fred Housel, Mary Lou Moss,
Directors Absent: Joanie Rowe, Suzanne Shriner
Meeting Minutes of 6/9/2006 were reviewed and approved with a note that the 1% donation plan proposed by Nancy is a voluntary donation plan.
Bruce Corker will provide coffee for the next Board meeting on July 5.
Nancy presented the acting Treasurer, Sandra, with a check representing her 1% donation. Sandra will draft a memo detailing the 1% Donation program.
Bruce suggested adding a list of donations and donors to the KCFA website.
Treasurer's Report: Rick reviewed the credit union statements which showed a balance of $1280 plus $125 in savings. There was an outstanding check for $960, which leaves a balance of $320 in checking plus $125 in the savings account.
Rick distributed the Committee Task and Budget spreadsheets.
Nancy will assist Joanie with the Estates program.
July Board Meeting Schedule: The Board of Director's meeting scheduled for July 19 has been cancelled. There will still be a Special Board meeting on July 5.
Strategic Planning Session: Rick reported that Carrie Kuwada-Phipps, the facilitator, has recommended adding 4 hours to the planned 8 hour Strategic Planning meeting to allow time to identify core issues. The Board decided to schedule a four hour session on Saturday afternoon from 1-5 PM on July 22 and the 8 hour session on Sunday July 23, starting at 8 AM and finishing at 4:30 PM.
Sandra has Carrie's process flow documents and will distribute copies to the members who will participate in the Strategic Planning sessions.
Rick will poll all invitees to confirm their availability on July 22 and 23.
Fred will send an invitation to all KCFA members who would like to attend.
Attendance will be limited to approximately 20 members, however.
Education: The Education Committee is proposing to schedule a presentation with Tom McCarthy, Kona Postmaster, on US Postal shipments. Information on Fedex and UPS shipping methods also be presented. Bruce will schedule the date and time, most likely in late July. Colehour will arrange for posting the information on the KCFA website following the presentation.
Budget Discussion: Rick will arrange individual meetings with each Committee Chair to complete budget planning for each Committee. Schedule for completion of Budget plans is June 21.
Estates: Nancy asked about how farms can get qualified as Estates. Joanie has specified the Estate qualification process which is posted on the KCFA website.
After qualification, Joanie submits the names of the qualified farms to the Board for approval. Joachim has designed an Estate certificate which will be printed for each approved estate. A request was made to add a category to the farms and estates website lists to denote Organic farms and Estates. Sandra will contact Mark about adding the Organic category. Joanie will verify all Organic Certifications for farms applying for Organic listing.
Grants: Sandra and MaryLou attended the HTA conference on festival planning.
Sandra reported there will be a Hawaii County workshop on event planning on July 18 which she will attend. Sandra reported August 28 is the deadline to apply for HTA grants for 2007.
Legislative Issues: Bruce reported that Franzia has decided to abandon their efforts to keep the Napa Ridge name on their wines produced in central California.
The Napa Valley Vintner's Association is a close model for Kona coffee name protection. Acting Governor Aiona has signed a $50,000 bill to study the trade marking of the Hawaii brand name. The study will be done by the Hawaii Tourist Authority. Sandra will contact the HTA regarding their study.
Melanie and Fred will present KCFA position statements at Josh Green's Talk Story meeting in Kona on June 22.
The Board approved $100 toward production of KCFA press kits by Joachim.
Howard Conant will write a position statement differentiating Kona coffee farmers from the Hawaii Coffee Industry.
Membership: Current KCFA membership stands at 81 paid members. The Board decided not to have membership cards printed to save cost.
Promotions/Fundraising Committee: The first major KCFA fundraising event will be at Lanihau Shopping Center on Saturday, Aug. 19 and Sunday, Aug. 20.
Events will include plant and bake sales, coffee roasting, keiki games, artist booths, a cupping competition, and a KCFA education and membership booth.
Lanihau Center will provide advertising, tables, tents and entertainment.
Volunteers and donations are needed. Please contact MaryLou Moss or Barbara
Housel. KCFA will offer KCFA labeled roasted coffee for sale. Members can donate roasted, bagged coffee with their name and address on the back of the bag.
Rick suggested that the Board develop a pricing policy for all donated coffee.
Sandra will compose a sponsor sign-up list.
Sandra proposed purchasing KCFA coffee mugs, coffee scoops, burlap bags, caps and T-shirts up to a total of $5200, which would be loaned to KCFA by members.
The proposal was approved with Sandra, MayLou and Nancy voting AYE, Fred voting NO and Rick abstaining. Payment of member funded loans will be paid back in 25% increments as sales are made.
Barbara announced KCFA Seals are now available in counts of 250 Seals for $20,
500 Seals for $30 and 1000 Seals for $50. Please contact Barbara or Suzanne for Seals.
Media Promotion: Rick reported he has scheduled the Hawaii Island Journal interview on the KCFA and its mission on Thursday, June 22 at the Moss farm. Bruce Corker will attend to address the KCFA legislative positions.
Board Meeting Schedule:
Date Time Meeting Type Location
------- -------- ----------------- ----------
7/5/06 4:00 PM Special Board meeting CTAHR
7/19/06 4:00 PM Regular Board CTAHR Meeting Cancelled
7/22/06 1:00 PM Strategic Planning Meeting CTAHR
7/23/06 8:00 AM Strategic Planning Meeting CTAHR
8/2/06 4:00 PM Special Board meeting CTAHR
8/16/06 4:00 PM Regular Board CTAHR
Meeting adjourned 6:45 PM. Fred Housel KCFA Secretary
