In attendance: Brian Gullette, Beth Turner, Stephan Caldwell, Lyle Estill, Carol Hewitt, Joe Cole
NEXT BOARD MEETING: Monday, December 5
1) Coop Membership update
Current member count: flat membership since summer; 304 as of October 3. Numbers have been building since January 2011 (around 200 members).
Current sales update: overall average of 4500 gallons per month; was much smaller in Jan-Feb, around 2000 gallons; this September we sold 7800 gallons.
Outstanding issues, concerns, opportunities:
2) Piedmont Biofuels update
Partners in Sustainability Grease update
· Grease collections up at Piedmont
· Pepper Festival great for Piedmont, good networking with restaurants for more potential grease collection
Fuel Trail update
· New Wilmington location: Tidal Creek Co-op memo of understanding complete; working on new site plan and another planning review process; Stephan will visit this week and help determine the tank/pump layout
· Saxapahaw pump system is finally working. The Cardswipe system is integrated with pump at this location, and it is finally working properly after some technical adventures. Thinking of having a member appreciation party in Saxapahaw.
· What’s up in Durham? DOE money is flowing through Carolina Biofuels– upgrading private customer sites but no public sites yet being built yet. Occasionally Carolina buys from Piedmont.
· Chapel Hill/Carrboro—more accessible pump possibilities? Merritt’s Store has expressed interest in adding a pump. Also another possibility is at recycling center at University Mall.
· B100 Trail is open to anyone who is pumping B99—not dependent on membership in Piedmont or being a co-op.
3) Projects/Events review
Grease-o-Graphics update: Phone App in progress with Google map for tracking participating grease partner Restaurants, prospective restaurants
Events Calendar
I. Shakori presence this weekend with biodiesel demonstration
II. November 4: Ribbon cutting for solar project at the plant—100k solar array at fields by plant. 4:00pm. Party with live band. Brian will speak on behalf of Board.
Project ideas
¨ To help educate people that any diesel can run on biodiesel: Parade with biodiesel burning car; Classic biodiesel car show
¨ Member recruitment: Signs for recruiting members at pumps like at Saxapahaw; More effective signage for events like Farm Tours. Don’t lead with “save money” message—emphasize sustainability, local fuel, co-op.
¨ How to reach more diesel owners?
Meetup type event: pictures of cars using biodiesel, use to recruit and show people that these cars are running on biodiesel. People like connecting with other people with the same car to hear their experiences. Ask members to send in photos of themselves and their vehicle–Post on Facebook page.
¨ Facebook Page: We checked out the Piedmont Biofuels Facebook page during our meeting: looks like three pages for Piedmont; main page has a pulse and some pics and posts, but not very vibrant; who can we find to drive this thing and make it more lively? Can we get members who can be Facebook ambassadors and post to the page regularly?
¨ Give free membership to grease partner restaurants and any employees. First year free if you work at grease partner restaurants. (We asked waitress at Carolina Brewery Pittsboro who drives a diesel, and she said no one.)
¨ Any ways to encourage businesses to buy biodiesel in bulk? Could place tanks at farms or businesses, where owner helps cover the expenses. Has to be zoned commercial, industrial, or farm.
¨ Triangle Transit Connections? Used to sell B20 to Triangle Transit. We’re the only plant in NC that can sell on state contract because of our BQ 9000 quality.
¨ Anything going on with biodiesel co-op in Miami? Shakori is going down there to start a festival.
Wrap-Up
What else does PBI need from us?
Lyle says he got some good big ideas tonight; Stephan’s help in Wilmington is great; Brian speaking on November 4th.
NEXT MEETING: Monday, December 5
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