It seems to many that the elimination of the registration bonus $15 in 2013 was the most likely culprit. It was also an attempt to save money on the production of the meeting, costing about $18,000 last year. GVEA wisely announced this in advance to avoid unhappy people in the line and it would appear that their marketing effort was successful in a perverse way. Even with reduced number of cookies and no fruit-vegetable platters, there were trays full of cookies left over. Here's board Chairman Bill Nordmark at the leftover table following the meeting.
If reduced attendance is expected to continue, it might be considered to have it in a smaller and more affordable venue next year. The meeting used to be held at Hering Auditorium.
In a positive vein, the reduced attendance meant that the odds of winning the 9 drawings for $250, $500, and $1,000 were up. Two next-door-neighbors on Chena Hot Springs Road each won one.
The meeting was not video'd this year as in the past few years, but meeting audio and the Powerpoint presentation was promised to be on line soon.
A final thought is that it is important for members to be involved in their co-op, thus show up. Member feedback in the past couple years was to do away with the frills of the annual meeting production and concentrate on business. I think this goal was accomplished. That being said, it appears that carrots are still needed to garner a quorum.
