Parting Words from Outgoing CreekSide Board President, Jeff Rotter:

I heard a wonderful expression a couple of weeks ago while I was listening to WXPN radio. They described XPN as a Community Radio Station, not a Commodity radio station. To me that is CreekSide – a community grocery store, not a commodity grocery store. A place that has become an anchor for the community. A place to gather, buy good food, share good stories, see friends – a place that makes a difference in our daily lives.

I would like to take the next few minutes to offer some personal reflections on being on the Board, being part of this community and to thank a number of people who have helped me along the way.

First and foremost – I want to thank Julie, my family, my close friends and my business partner – for 4 years they dealt with me as I put a lot of time and energy into the Co-op and the community. I am not sure what I am going to do after New Years – Julie and my kids would like me to exercise more, my business partner would like me to spend more time at my day job - maybe I’ll work on my 10 year retirement plan, not sure, but I will have a bit more time than I have had lately.

I want to thank the staff of the Co-op for working hard every day, for creating a sense of community within the store. Ali, Mike, Lauren, Paul, Calle, Ed, Linda, Jessie, Donny, and Martha – you have all been there from the opening. Thank you for carrying the CreekSide banner. I want to thank the community – each one of you for supporting the idea of a community space / a community anchor, spending your shopping dollars and expressing your ideas. You are welcome for the next couple of weeks to continue to express your ideas to me, but after the 1^st, please look for a different yet familiar face.

In Judaism there is a phrase – l’dor va’dor – literally from generation to generation – – we say it at all life cycle events - births, weddings, funerals – we bring our past, our traditions, our knowledge with us to help guide us into our future and to guide future generations.

I want to change that slightly – I would like to say from Board to Board – the value of bringing board experiences forward to help build on the future. I’ve been fortunate to serve with many wonderful, caring, and committed people. I can’t mention all of them, but a few people standout for me from the different Coop Boards I have been on – first Fred Milbert and Adam Silverman – they fought, kicked and clawed their way through legal, financial, construction turmoil to get us to the point of having the physical building and space. As recently as this week I turned to both of them for help with the potential county grant. Andy Schloss –who when we fired our second GM just a few weeks before opening the store – stood up and agreed to be the GM – to be the community face even though he knew those first few months were going to be filled with mishaps, bad starts, and lots of questioning. Peter Denitz – soft spoken yet forceful presence who would call me just to check in to make sure I wasn’t swimming in too deep of waters. Lindsay Rosenberg – she represented the “younger “ community in Cheltenham Township and often provided the balance the board needed – passionate about food, sustainability, about community with an understanding that we often had to compromise to move things ahead. Max Minkoff – the Board president prior to my tenure – he was the person who had to bridge the gap between the “store” in the conceptual sense to the “store” in the real operating sense. Not an easy or forgiving positon to be in.

I want to thank them and all previous board members who have volunteered their time, energy and commitment to make CreekSide happen. Of course there are many community non- board members who gave a lot, offered guidance and support – thank you.

I want to mention something else about Max and his family – Fiddler on the Roof – in February.

To our current Board – please stand up - we have come very far – more than once we were concerned that we would be part of the board that had to put a dreadful sign on the door announcing the closing – Ben, Don, Lisa, Marty, Hillary, Ken, Joel, Deb and Christina – thank you for all your support, your team play, your willingness to stand tall in some pretty turbulent waters. We accomplished a lot together.

We started a tradition when I came on the Board – giving a small token of appreciation to “retiring” board members. We gave those folks a CreekSide jacket. Tonight I get to continue that tradition – Debbie, Christina -- and also we want to acknowledge Art Alexander who passed away this summer. He served 3.5 years on the Board. We will make sure to give this jacket to Elaine.

To the next Board – the newcomers – Jeff, Robin, Rebecca, Burt - we know your contribution and your work will be very different, but no less important than previous boards. We hope the mountain is a little less steep, we hope the in-store leadership is strong and directed, we know the community will continue to support the Co-op. Please use me as a resource where you see fit.

Finally, my family and I lived in this community for 15 years prior to us getting involved in the Co-op. I volunteered to coach kids, I was involved in my synagogue, I played in a local basketball league. Of all the people I mentioned, Fred – is the only one I knew well before I got involved in CreekSide. The Co-op has enriched my life, opened me up to new people and new ideas. I want to thank all of you for making it happen. SEE YOU AT THE COOP