Kona Coffee Farmers Association
Monthly Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
November 21, 2007, CTAHR Conference Room, Kainaliu
Board of Directors Meeting Called to Order at 4:08 pm by President Ken Sheppard
Board Members Present:
Ken Sheppard-President, John McClure-Vice President, Mary Lou Moss, Bruce Corker, Colehour Bondera, Sandra Scarr,. Apologies for absence from Joanie Rowe-Treasurer, Suzanne Kustusch Secretary and Nancy Griffith.
Review Minutes of October 2007 Board of Directors Meeting – minutes accepted.
Acceptance of the September Minutes was postponed to the next meeting.
Treasurer’s Report:
Treasurer off-island – no report presented.
NEW BUSINESS:
AGM & Election: Colehour will be the Election Co-ordinator. Dates for the AGM are the afternoon of Saturday 12th or Sunday 20th, depending on availability of meeting place. Mary Lou will find a meeting place. First choice is the pavilion at the Old Airport. The Board voted to buy pupu’s for the meeting.
North Kona KS Leases: Sandra will send out an email to all members asking who is a leaseholder in North Kona and if they are interested in forming a committee. She will also inquire if a KCFA leaseholder can be on the North Kona Leasehold Committee with KCC and KFA members. Depending on the results, the Board will consider contributing funds to the NKLC for their study of typical incomes from North Kona farms.
Committee Reports:
Estate Committee Report: Chairperson Joanie Rowe
No report
Membership Committee Report: Chairperson, Joanie Rowe
No report
PR Committee Report: Chairperson Christine Sheppard
Sent out the November Newsletter to members, politicians and Press. Wrote to Starbucks. Composed letter to HCA & KCC in response to their request that Ken sign a joint letter requesting Federal legislation that mirrors our Hawaii State Legislation for 10% Kona Blend. The Big Island Weekly reprinted more quotes from Ken on the Ironman coffee issue. Our Ad appeared in the Festival Supplement in both WHT and BIJ. A total of 115 dinner tickets were sold by Board members and online. A total of 85 companies and individuals contributed items to our Auction. Sent out Thank your letter to all.
Designed a Mahalo Ad to thank our Sponsors to go in WHT early December. Cost will be $191 for 2 column x 7 inches. The Board voted to approve the cost.
Our Auction realized $6,600.
Promotions Committee Report: Chairperson Cea Smith
KCFA Burlap Bags:
Cea sent in a report. All the burlap bags have been sold. Another 1600 have been ordered.
Education Committee Report: John McClure
John will be sending out an email to all on his proposed a new “workshop” which would comprise a drive-around tour of volunteer farms to discuss the methodologies that each use, and how they address problems and issues.
A Holiday Roast-In was proposed for December 1st where members will be able to custom roast up to 10lbs of coffee for free, and buy packing materials to pack and seal it. Christine and Mary Lou will donate their services, Ken will donate a roaster and seek a location. A Pruning Seminar is proposed for January 5th. Ken will contact Bob Smith to see if he is available, and find a location. Other workshops proposed for the new year include one on Season-End Maintenance of Farm Equipment, a Trade Show of Small Farm Equipment, Native Tree Interplanting in Coffee Orchards, and a repeat of the hugely successful Drying and Storage Workshop.
Christine agreed to do a Workshop article in the December newsletter.
Website Committee Report: Mark Shultise
Mark reported that the website won the Sponsors Award at the Website Competition, $150 and a large Rosette, well done Mark. Changes are being made to the Shipping Costs online. Mark has received requests for the Cherry prices to be updated. Nancy has run out of time to do it, John McClure offered to take it on.
Grants Committee Report: Chairperson Sandra Scarr
Sandra reported that the DVD project is nearing completion. The final version was used at the Festival, and will be up on our website. Copies will be send to the HDoA, along with our final invoices and requests for the matching funds. Sandra will place an order for the bulk copies for members. The DVDs are also intended for distribution to airplanes, hotels, cruiselines, Channel 9, Big Island Visitor Board, council members, legislators, etc.
There is no news on our recent grant application, we do not expect to hear on that until the new year.
Fund Raising Committee Report: Chairperson Mary Lou Moss
Our activities during the Festival raised about $4000, and over $3800 has been raised at the Alii booth location. The Alii booth is restricted to selling only our own KCFA label coffee (non-profit restriction by the owner of the location). Mary Lou requested more donations of green coffee. Currently we use donated coffee and donated services from Custom Coffee Roasters of the roasting and packing. The Board approved the purchase of green coffee from members and reimbursement of the roasting and packing so that this activity can increase. However we need someone to head up the organization of this, as Mary Lou cannot take on more.
Legislative Committee Report: Chairperson Bruce Corker
1. Brenda Ford’s Resolution 412-07 requesting the World Triathlon Committee to have Kona coffee as its coffee for Ironman events in Kona passed unanimously at the HCC Meeting. Testimony was given by three KCFA members, and Norm Sakata.
2. Angel Pilago’s Resolution 417-07 requesting the State Legislature to pass a Bill requiring 75% Kona coffee in a coffee labeled Kona Blend passed unanimously at the HCC Meeting. Testimony was given by 12 KCFA members and three others, all in favor.
3. County Council member Bob Jacobson, on behalf of the County Council, has written a formal request to the Hawaii State Association of Counties (HSAC) to include in the HSAC legislative package and in its lobbying efforts in the coming state legislative session a bill to require 75% Kona content for any coffee labeled a “Kona Coffee Blend”. It was rejected. Bruce will contact Bob again to see if they will reconsider now that a Resolution has been passed.
Christine agreed to do a Press release on the HCC’s new Resolutions.
Meeting Adjourned at 5:40 pm
Next Board of Directors Meeting:
December 19, 2007 at CTAHR Conference Room in Kainaliu at 4:00pm. President Ken Sheppard will be off-island. The meeting will be chaired by Vice-President John McClure.
