Sprouts is out of debt and in need of new leaders

Hi CE peoples,

Below is some exciting news from Sprouts, and a call out to find dedicated and involved people to run the show next year.
But first, some exciting news for CE - we are having a Community Eats Strategic Planning Meeting. If you are interested in helping out more with Community Eats next year or if you just have some good ideas for where our organization should go, please send me (Heather) an email at communityeats@gmail.com. What comes out of the meeting on Monday will be posted here to keep you all up to date.

Stay tuned for an in-depth email about positions that need filling for Community Eats next year...there are lots! Also, head to Sprouts today to get some free Terra Bread, courtesy of Community Eats' dedicated volunteers!

Heather Russell
Community Eats Director
communityeats@gmail.com

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Hello friends of Sprouts,
Today, Martin and Sophie (the president and treasurer) were going over our budget for last moth and we can now announce that we are officially out of debt!!!

For those of you who don't know, when Sprouts reopened as a café in January 2008, we had $48,000 of debt. With the help of the AMS and the UBC community, we were able to eliminate our debt in just over a year. (In fact, we were only open for 9 months of that year.) This debt has been a bit of an albatross for us, so with this debt out of the way, Sprouts can only continue to grow.

We are going to continue to re-invest our profit into developing educational initiatives on campus, such as our workshops, but if you have any suggestions for us about what to do with this profit, e-mail us at ubcsprouts@gmail.com.

Also, keep your ears (or your facebook) peeled for info on the upcoming party we're going to have to celebrate this milestone. It will most likely happen by the end of the month so that our Katimakid can be there.

On a more important note, we need people to staff next year's executive board - the people who organize everything Sprouts-related. Go to http://www.ams.ubc.ca/clubs/nfc/help.html and have a look at the positions; they're a bit different from this years'. Applications are due March 15th, so get cracking! If you have any questions, doubts or concerns about any of the positions, don't hesitate to contact us.

Cheers
Jeremy, Sprouts Store Coordinator

Exciting Updates!

The blog has a new fun layout, and a form on the right hand side where you can now subscribe to our mailing list.

We have been a little lacking in the email communication this semester, but hopefully this new google group mailing list will make it much easier.

Here's h0w to subscribe to our new list:
1. type your email address in the form
2. click on the link that will be sent to your email
and voila you will soon receive emails to keep you up to date

We are hoping to have a big meeting and work party some time soon, to create some new promotional materials. Everyone is invited and we would love to see lots of people come out to help! More details to come...

Another pressing issue these days is the future of Community Eats. Many of our collective members will not be around next semester, so we are looking to find some dedicated individuals who want to take more initiative in the future.
Send Heather an email at communityeats@gmail.com if you are interested in becoming more involved in the fall or if you have any exciting ideas or things that you would like to see happen.

Also, Terra Breads are back every Friday at Sprouts, courtesy of Community Eats volunteers!

See you all for lunch next week!

Community Eats is back!

Our first lunch of the semester will be served tomorrow, details are below. On the menu is a delicious roasted veggie shepherds pie, bagels, and fresh fruit. Hope to see you there!

Friday January 16; 11:30 - 1:30 (or until the food runs out!)
In Sprouts, SUB room 66
Bring your own container and utensils
Pay-what-you-can, suggested donation of $1

We really need more people to help us out with food collection. We'd love to meet you! For more details about how to get involved, email our fearless Volunteer Coordinator communityeats.volunteers@gmail.com or check out:

http://communityeats.blogspot.com/2008/02/get-involved-volunteering-with.html

Positions Availabe for First Semester!

Hi free food enthusiasts!

Community Eats is back! Our first lunch of the semester will be Friday September 12th, 11:30am - 1:30pm. The lunches will continue to be served biweekly in Sprouts. However, in order to make the lunches happen we need a strong base of volunteers and a dedicated group of guiding members. If you feel that you have time to commit to this project this year please take a look at the Volunteer Positions (1) and Guiding Member Positions (2). If you are interested in any position please email Heather (Community Eats Director) at communityeats@gmail.com. Please pass this email on to anyone who would be interested. Enjoy the last week of summer!

1. Volunteer Positions

Volunteers make up the base of our organization and they are integral to Community Eats' success. There are a few different volunteer positions available. Descriptions and times are below, please email Heather at communityeats@gmail.com to sign up for a biweekly volunteer shift.

Food Collection - Wednesday/Thursday

• visit distributors and stores to pick-up food donations, and bringing this food to campus via bus, bicycle, or personal vehicle.
  
• food collection generally takes place on Wednesdays or in the morning on Thursday before cooking begins.
  

Cooking - Thursday

• previous cooking experience not necessary, only a willingness to learn is needed.
  
• can help out with either or both of the shifts: Thursday afternoon food preparation (cleaning and chopping of vegetables, and menu planning), or Thursday evening cooking.
  
• some volunteers may also be needed in the morning before the lunch is served, when the food is re-heated.
  

Serving - Friday

• set up the serving space in Sprouts,
  
• serve the meal, and
  
• clean up the serving space and kitchens after the meal.
  

2. Community Eats Guiding Member Positions

Volunteer Coordinator

Approximate Time Commitment: five hours per week.

Responsibilities:

• With the Publicity Coordinator, organizes and manages a volunteer recruitment campaign at the beginning of term, through and ongoing throughout the semester through clubs days, Community Eats lunches or other avenues.
• Serves as a liaison between new volunteers and the Community Eats members.
• Keeps track of volunteer contact information gathered through recruitment.
• Informs interested individuals of the various roles that can be filled within Community Eats and informs volunteers about the basic mandate of Community Eats as outlined in the Volunteer Coordination Resources in this document
  
• Communicates regularly with returning/past volunteers about upcoming volunteer opportunities and needs.
• Attends regular meetings with the other Community Eats Guiding Members.
  

Food Collection Coordinator

Approximate Time Commitment: ten hours per week

Responsibilities:

• Coordinates the efforts of food collection volunteers to ensure duties are fulfilled.
• Communicates regularly with existing food donors to maintain a positive relationship and ensure their ongoing contribution to Community Eats.
• Seeks out new food donations from other businesses (as needed).
  
• Arranges food pickups and ensures all food is delivered to campus at the time specified by the Head Chef.
• Ensures that food is stored on campus according to the food safety plan outlined in the kitchen manual.
• Communicates regularly with the Head Chef about what type of food donations are anticipated or have been received, to ensure the Head Chef can plan an appropriate menu.
• Attends regular meetings with the other Community Eats Guiding Members.

Serving Coordinator

Approximate Time Commitment: seven hours per week

Qualifications:

• Is Food Safe certified, or will be certified within 1 month of taking on the position.
• Is familiar with the regular operation of Sprouts café, or will become familiar with its operation.
  
• Must be available for the duration of the time during which Community Eats lunches are served, as well as shortly before and after (Fridays from 10 or 10:30am until 2:30 or 3:00pm).
  

Responsibilities:

• Coordinates the efforts of serving volunteers to ensure duties are fulfilled, including those volunteers who would usually be working a Sprouts storefront shift.
• Oversees set up of the serving area before lunch begins, ensuring that all items on the Set-Up Checklist have been covered.
• Oversees serving through the duration of the lunch.
• Familiarizes volunteers with food-safe practices and the Food Safety Plan for Serving, and ensures that serving is conducted according to it.
• Oversees clean-up of serving space, kitchen, and dishes when the lunch is over. Ensures that all items on the Clean-Up Checklist have been covered.
• Keeps a record of the number of people served at each lunch.
• Collects donations during the lunch and ensures that the Administration/Finance Coordinator receives them to be deposited.
• Communicates regularly with Sprouts' Volunteer Coordinator to ensure volunteer needs are met on the serving day.
  
• Communicates regularly with the Community Eats Director and Sprouts Board members to maintain a positive relationship and ensure Community Eats ongoing use of Sprouts' café as a space in which to serve the lunches.
• Attends regular meetings with the other Community Eats Guiding Members.

Administration and Finance Coordinator

Approximate Time Commitment: five hours per week

Responsibilities:

• Organizes and serves as the Secretary at regular meetings of the Community Eats Guiding Members.
• Distributes meeting minutes to other Guiding Members after each meeting.
• Obtains, records, and organizes all the records of financial transactions in an Excel file, including donations, funding, and expenditures.
• Deposits and records donations received at lunches.
• In coordination with the NFC Treasurer, handles reimbursement of volunteers or Guiding Members for purchases authorized collectively by the Guiding Members.
• Manages existing funding and seeks out other sources of additional funding as it is needed.
• With the Community Eats Director, pursues increased campus community and institutional support for Community Eats in the form of funding, permanent kitchen or serving space, or other resources.
• Manages membership of the Community Eats Guiding Members Google Group (online discussion board).

Publicity Coordinator

Approximate Time Commitment: five hours per week

Responsibilities:

• Coordinates the efforts of promotion volunteers.
• Maintains and updates the Community Eats blog.
• Works with the Communications and Marketing manager of the NFC to ensure Community Eats' page on Sprouts' website is up-to-date.
• Works with other execs/volunteers to develop strategies for promoting Community Eats' initiatives to the UBC community,
• Creates promotional materials to be placed in Sprouts and elsewhere on campus that convey the vision and mission of Community Eats.
• Attends regular meetings with the other Community Eats Guiding Members.

Volunteers needed on March 26th and 27th

The term is quickly drawing to a close, and the last Community Eats lunch of this year (how sad!) has been planned for next Friday. To make it happen, we need help on Wednesday March 26th and Thursday March 27th with food collection and cooking. Drop by Sprouts so that you can meet us, sign up for where you'd like to help out, and get any details you might need.

Community Eats Volunteers Meeting
Thursday, March 20th
Drop by anytime between 12:00 - 1:00
Outside Sprouts (SUB 66)

Hope to see you then!

We need some help!

Our next lunch is coming up on Friday, March 14th, and we're looking for some help getting it ready.

Specifically, we need help on Wednesday and Thursday, for food collection and cooking. If you have some time (even an hour is helpful!), and want to see what goes on behind the scenes, we'd love to meet you!

Drop by Sprouts (SUB basement, 66) on Friday (March 7th) between 11:30 - 12:30 or Monday (March 10th) between 11:00 - 12:00. We'll be hanging out in the hallway just outside the store, so that you can meet us, sign up for where you'd like to help out, and get any details you might need. If you can't make it to either meeting, but are still interested in lending a hand, send us an email to communityeats@gmail.com

Hope to see you soon!

Next Lunch: Friday February 29th

Our next lunch will be held on Friday February 29th. Please note that we're going to start (and finish) serving a bit earlier than we have been in the past.

Community Eats lunch

Friday February 29th; 11:30 - 1:30
In Sprouts, SUB room 66
Bring your own container

We really need more people to help us out with food collection and cooking. We'd love to meet you! For more details about how to get involved, check out:

http://communityeats.blogspot.com/2008/02/get-involved-volunteering-with.html

Who is Community Eats?

Community Eats is its volunteers! As you might imagine, it takes many, many hours to collect, prepare, and cook the food served at these lunches – all this time is donated by a team of dedicated volunteers.

We’re always seeking more eager people who are interested in helping out. If you have some time you’d like to spend with us, send us an email at communityeats@gmail.com or introduce yourself to us at one of the lunches to find out how you can join us.

Get Involved: Volunteering with Community Eats

Community Eats lunches are only possible through the efforts of some wonderful volunteers, and we always need more folks to help us out.

Volunteers aren't required to make an ongoing commitment. We're happy to see new faces each week, so even if you only have a few hours to spare every now and then, we encourage you to get involved. Volunteering is a fun way to "pay" for your lunches - you'll find out what it takes to make the lunches happen every week, and have an opportunity to engage with both the food, and some of the other great people who've been eating it!

Food Collection
Takes place on the Wednesday and Thursday before each lunch. If you have a few hours to spare on either of these days, let us know. We will coordinate with your schedule to find a time that you can help us pick up food from the distributors who regularly supply us. All the pickups are done on the bus, so make sure you bring your U-pass.
If you're interested in helping to collect, email us with the times that you're available and we'll fill you in on all the details.

Cooking
It takes a lot of chopping to feed 200 people! Cooking takes place on the Thursday before each lunch, from 12:00 - 6:00. If you have any amount of time to spare, do come down to the kitchen to help us out - the more the merrier! Don't worry if you've got no cooking experience - one of our cooks will be overseeing it all. We have all the knives, aprons, and cutting boards that might be needed. Bring some music if you'd like.
Send us an email if you're interested in cooking, let us know what time you think you can stop by, and we'll fill you in on the details of where to find us.

Our email address is: communityeats@gmail.com

We look forward to meeting you!