DNF needs to hit ‘reset’ button
To the editor,
Democratic institutions cannot survive without participation of their members; nor without access to open communication with members. It’s the right of Durango Natural Foods Co-op members – indeed our obligation – to take responsibility for our co-op in a democratic way to protect it from impacts by Board decisions not in the members’ interests. Yet this Board, which is accountable to the members, controls access to the membership and the only perspective they hear.
“Whistleblowing” is the courage to walk the path of truth and integrity. The DNF Board fired our well-liked and competent Co-General Manager Kimberley Wiggins on Aug. 28, for doing just that. At the request of myself, Root Routledge, and Pat Blair, long-time DNF members initiating this effort to save DNF from further damage, Kim sent out an “urgent member alert” email-blast to all members, with links to our member-initiated petition to remove the Board, and a supporting analysis that debunks the Board’s claims. Kim was fired 24 hours after it went out. No reason was given. With our petition under way, this threat continues with staff working in fear of losing their jobs if they say anything.
These efforts threaten to stifle free speech and assembly and limit our ability to collect signatures. Pat has been staffing a petition table at the entrance to DNF since Monday. She was asked by the “new GM,” Brian Gaddy, to leave. Board president Geoff Wolf came by later and tried to get her to move inside, which she refused to do, saying, “I’m a member of DNF; this is property we own, and we have a right to assemble and a right to free speech.” We call on DNF membership and staff to stand in solidarity at this crucial time in DNF’s 40-year history by speaking out and signing the petition. Our intent is nothing less than a management “reset” at DNF.
Misrepresentations by the Board is the core justification for our petition. The Board’s claim that “merging” with La Montañita Co-op is an “attractive opportunity” holding “many advantages” for DNF members was a ruse, not based on fact or analysis. And though now tabled due to our efforts, it is still a possibility and not a moot point.
The word “merger” is itself a misnomer and misrepresentation, since what is really going on were this to go through, is a full sale of all of DNF’s assets, name, marketing images and intellectual property to LMC. The only “benefit” DNF members would get is credit toward membership in LMC. We would not be “merging” with LMC, since DNF would no longer exist as a local member-owned independent co-op with a local voice. There would be no “we” – “Durango Natural Foods Co-op” would only be a name on a store to be owned and managed by an out-of-state co-op conglomerate.
The Board has made the unsubstantiated claim that “this transition will be great for our members, customers and staff,” but not once have they been explicit about what those benefits would be. No facts or analysis about DNF’s current value to its owners, its financial health, or future prospects. All of that you will find in the supporting analysis to the member-petition. We know that LMC would have bought all of DNF for the cost of our property mortgage, $278,000; no funds to members. Yet, we hold property assets with a book value over $650,000. And if one factors in the value of DNF members’ assets, as well as its value as a business, our co-op has a net worth of at least $1 million. The only one getting paid anything would be the bank for the mortgage; LMC would inherit the entire million dollars of DNF value.
A thorough financial analysis, along with the strategic plan put together by our Co-GM’s at the beginning of 2014, show that we are a well-run organization in excellent shape for the future, having created and pursued “a readiness for growth” strategy. This, along with the sense of belonging to and owning a local co-op with a local voice, and all the benefits that go with that, are the values DNF members would lose with a sale.
Our report is at: http://AlpineAnalytics.com/reports/dnf/DNF-PETITION-to-remove-Board-SUPPORTING-ANALYSIS-8-27-2014.pdf. A two-page document is also available as: “…/Open-Communication-to-DNF-members-8-31-2014-Root-Routledge.pdf.”
In the interest of stability, the petition contains a vote-option for an interim Board consisting of Pat and Root until elections can be held. Neither of us are attached to being on the Board for any other reason than to protect DNF and members’ interests. Reinstating Kim would be our first decision.
If enough members sign this petition, which is what it will take, and collaboration can ensue with integrity, nothing would please us more. The petition (only DNF members can sign) is available online at https://durangonaturalfoods.wufoo.com/forms/petition-to-remove-dnf-board/, and a paper version at DNF, through Sept. 7.
– Root Routledge, 20-year DNF member, Pat Blair, 40-year DNF member
Not all members were vociferous
Dear editor,
Journalists can have a powerful influence in cultural life, reporting to us the timely and significant happenings of our time. The Durango Telegraph holds esteem as our weekly alternative paper, and does an accurate job of responsible reporting – mostly.
Last week, however, in “Quick’ n’ Dirty” the editor printed “Merger shelved; board questioned,” a piece that misrepresented, to our experience, an important aspect of a recent meeting of Durango Natural Foods Co-op member/owners.
One sentence, in particular, misinforms readers about the degree of disapproval by DNF member/owners to engage in discussions about a potential merger with La Montanita Co-op: “The DNF Board held a meeting on Aug. 18, during which co-op members vociferously opposed the idea.”
Let’s set the record straight. We attended that meeting along with 60 or so interested member/owners. And yes, a few members did express feelings or opinions in a loud or forceful way about the possibility of losing local control over DNF if a merger were to go through. A few members voiced questions and were open to continuing discussions about the pros and cons of a possible merger. And still others expressed excitement about what a merger with a strong and successful regional food co-op might have to offer in support of DNF’s stability, long-term goals, and the expression of cooperative values in our region.
Alas, the emotional and “vociferous” member/owner voices caught the attention of the editor and those more measured and curious perspectives were not represented in the article.
We urge those who care about a strong and vibrant co-op in Durango to learn the facts, and not to believe the misinformation about the merger, the DNF Board of Directors’ intentions, transparency and legitimacy and other myths abundant around this issue.
– Jules Masterjohn, Steven DiSanto and Herb Brodsky, Durango
Let democracy return to DNF
This is a call to Durango Natural Foods (DNF) co-op members to give a voice to democracy. Signing a petition to recall the DNF Board will allow for a vote for a new board. Why bother? The current board has failed all members whether supporting or not supporting a merger with La Montañita. The lack of transparency, operating in secrecy since April, and pursuing a merger agenda without informing or including membership defies a stated board task of outreach. Violating its own by-laws and processes, the board resorted to doublespeak and coercion. Attempting to engineer a centralization of jobs to Albuquerque’s co-op and firing current staff without cause eliminates the DNF commitment to local and democratic participation. Sign the petition before the 9-7-14 deadline. Let your voice be heard.
– Kathy Barrett, Durango