As a follow up to the great work that our VISTA’s have done, here are my thoughts on the next step of direction in the Coffee Cart Enterprise. I think we all realize that this will not be a large money making project, if at all. But rather, it will serve as a means to involve kids in a workplace experience, and give FYA another face in the public eye.
While I strongly support the concept, I have concerns about FYA overextending our resources. It is critical, especially given the condition of Alaska’s economy, that we as a board make responsible fiscal choices. In light of this, I think the next step in moving forward is to request from Julie a thorough budget proposal. This will inform us about the products and employee resource expenses and demands necessary for this project (especially the personnel, oversight, and staffing). With that in hand, we can decide if the resources are available to bring this concept to fruition. This could include possible partnerships with ALPA, other grants, or donations earmarked for this project.
I personally favor a low overhead entry into this venture, (both from a human resource and financial perspective) at least initially. A cold press or simple brew coffee would simplify things considerably. I also want to make sure that our ED is not absorbed into this project or its demands. It needs to be resource sustainable without her. Please share your thoughts and when we come to a unified place, we can further advise Julie.
Hi Everyone,
After talking with Julie, we have decided that this project – needs to be tabled for the season. Though we would love to see it take flight – it clearly needs more time to brew! Ha!
Love you guys. Thanks for being balanced and providing insight as well as oversight.
m
My fault…. we don’t actually own plans, we provided this information a month ago to Nathan at his request to give him some ideas:
Coffee cart outline:
http://www.welcomecoffeecart.com/build-your-own-cart/coffee-cart-plans ********While we don’t want to buy the plans, this is a general idea of a layout that would be ideal**********
http://cmc.scarabmedia.com/ftproot/419-EC_spec_2009.pdf
Coffee Cart parts websites:
http://www.cmcespresso.com/group.asp?grp=55
General additional information:
http://www.cmcespresso.com/product.asp?specific=154
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rn3xeZGLRU
http://cart-king.com/ez-kiosks-layout/
http://www.baristaexchange.com/forum/topics/building-a-coffee-cart
Patrick, thanks for taking time to do this. I don’t think we are ready to begin building a coffee cart right now. I think we need good financial information and a operating plan that is specific. I tend to see more negatively than most but I can have some concerns with a “needs to do community service” person working on the property and I didn’t know we had a set of plans?
Thank you for your input. We will put together a budget.
Just an update on the coffee cart. We had a construction worker contact us with needing to do community service in the month of May. We shared with him the plans, etc. and he offered to build it for free labor. We will do what we can to get supplies donated.
I agree with Patrick, that a budget proposal is the next step. Considering all that I have learned about FYA in the last 8 months, I’m a little hesitant to jump in this. I think that it is a great idea, I really do. But we definitely don’t want to overextend any of our staff members or volunteers.
I think with a little more research this can become a very good thing.