Dear Members,
On behalf of the board I would like to thank you for your interest, engagement and support over the past few months which has enabled the Co-Operative to successfully navigate some significant structural and staff transitions.
We are indeed living (and creating) in unprecedented times, and our goal as your board is to continue to listen to our members while striving to proactively identify and embrace the opportunities that this new business environment presents.
Gallery:
- The mood in the gallery is reported by Afuwa to be generally positive with mostly smaller purchases being the mainstay, but “with the occasional, quite unpredictable, splurge on decorative items.”
- We’re also hearing that people are already shopping for gifts, so get your stock in early if you can! Appointments are 10:30 am, 12:30 pm, and 2:30 pm daily.
- Due to the spike in COVID-19 cases, masks (worn over both nose and mouth) are now mandatory in the Gallery.
- Member Pop-Up Weekends continue! Saturday and Sunday remain our strongest sale days — contact the store if you’d like to book a spot!
- Gallery sales were stronger in September than in August but total sales (June through September 2020) are down by 54% as compared to the same period in 2019.
Licensing Agreement:
- Our negotiations with Signatures Shows Ltd are ongoing, and we are hopeful that we will be able to secure a signed contract before the end of this year.
Market:
Personnel (Board and Staff):
- Nancy Walker recently resigned from the board for personal reasons but we are pleased to announce that she will continue on in her role as Selections Chair. Nancy, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your generous, insightful, and enthusiastic contributions to the board over the past few years - you will be missed!
- Sending out a warm welcome to Karina Villada, our newest gallery (relief) staff member! A recent grad of BCIT’s Fundraising/Marketing Management Program, Karina is an avid cyclist and recycler, and is delighted to join the team supporting the Co-Op.
Website:
The members-only portal has been recently updated and so it is now easier than ever to stay informed and in touch via:
- Slack (a secure online space which allows you to connect directly with other interested members).
- Board minutes (posted on both the member's portal and on Slack within the "#Board" channel).
News:
Other:
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If you’d like to receive your commission payments electronically, email Afuwa at afuwa@circlecraft.net with the email address that is linked to your online banking account.
Please stay tuned for news about our upcoming Christmas promotional ideas, and remember to keep us informed about your successes as well so that we might celebrate with you and in doing so build up our community.
With thanksgiving,
Jenny Hildebrand
Membership Chair
