last Gen Mtg Notes, late submission

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Newsgroups gmane.org.clubs.gobiodiesel
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GoBioDiesel Co-op General meeting  7-19-06  6:30 - 8 pm at  
McMenamin’s Kennedy School Detention Room

Led by Michael VanDerWater     Meeting Minutes taken by Peggy Whelan

Introduction /Check-in

This is Michael’s very last meeting, having resigned as General Manager.
There were about 20-25 attendees, the majority being interested non- 
members, so no membership body decisions were proposed or considered.
Old Business - committee report/review

Pete reported on MixMasters: current production, usually occurring  
weekly, is 50-55 gal./batch, is inadequate to meet members’ needs.  
Members & non-members may meet  at the Johnson Creek site on  
irregular Friday evenings for batch prep, and on regular Saturdays  
for the work party at 11am.

Eli reported on oil collection: currently, used oil from 9  
restaurants is collected, about 50-75 gals/several weeks, have 5000  
gals stored on site, could take more, more restaurants would like to  
donate their oil.  Especially preferable would be if prefiltered.   
Collection container size is issue - 5-gal.s create lots of wasted  
plastic & sediment disposal, would be easier to collect in 55-gal  
barrels in a big truck - a well-received idea under  consideration.   
When planned larger batch production (“Gen2”) is in place, this  
method will be best.  Members’ help is needed on this committee.

Oil support: members’ help is needed to transfer oil to totes (big  
storage containers) at site.

Utilities:  the building permit process (electric, fire safety, site  
plan, etc,) is progressing toward Gen2.  Its nature makes it  
difficult to predict completion date.  Original hopes of August or  
Sept 06 have to be adjusted further into the future.

Site committee: not especially active right now.

Co-Product:  Ian, a newer member, has received collected research  
from past committee members, is enthusiastic about using glycerin for  
making soap (as Dr. Bronner’s) & paraffin for candles, encourages  
members to add ideas to the discussion to plan to begin production.

Inreach:  this is the new member committee.  Currently, new members  
should become familiar with the website, sign up for the weblist for  
announcements & discussion.  A newsletter is being planned, no date  
predicted.

Research: these committee members help “scrounge” needed supplies,  
materials, or announce great “finds.”

The Board:  (no board members present)  currently 3 members, will  
recruit additional members to expand soon.

Membership Services: committee currently searching for new place &  
monthly time for “Interest Meetings”  which explain the co-op to  
interested people & potential new members.

Fundraising:  Michael explained fund-raising Bricks, $100 or $250  
each, to be installed at production site, said the fund-raising event  
originally planned for mid-August will occur in late Sept. instead.   
Plans include 4 bands, a live auction, possibly to be held in Lola’s  
Room, if successful, could raise $4000.  Money to be used for Gen2 &  
co-op future needs.

Financial:  no update, Michael leaving, new bookkeeper, Kathy to  
begin soon.

New Business:  transition from General Manager

Review several previously presented models: 1) replace GM with  
someone who doesn’t need to be paid, or receives some profit-sharing,  
to be paid better later when big fuel production (could be up to 4000  
gal/mo, around $1 per gal. profit, could be very profitable);  or, 2)  
temporarily, in the meantime, pay Seth $100/wk, as the fuel-maker,  
which he is doing now, very many volunteer hours, needing to be  
compensated - the Board is developing a contract for him; or 3)  a  
permanent fuel-maker & a GM.  Fuel production is most crucial issue,  
a central person is necessary.

General Discussion

Review Jeff Brandt proposal to sell bio-diesel to co-op & Estacada  
production site fire which negated it.

Question - enough WVO to meet future needs? - YES!!!

Question - co-op goal? - to produce 20-30 gals/mo per member, when  
technical capacity installed, to have online “Karma-counter”  to  
report volunteer hours.  Farther goal - to create additional  
distribution sites & help neighborhoods or other groups to begin  
their own bio-diesel production.

Question - where’s the site?  please refer to www.blueskyfuel.com/ 
site for directions.
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