Becoming a Co-op Owner
What it means to be an Owner
A co-op, or cooperative, is a type of business that is voluntarily owned by the people who use and operate it. In this way, resources can be pooled and the community has a voice in the store’s products and philosophies. Co-ops are democratically run, meaning owners can vote and/or be elected to the Co-op’s Board of Directors. By becoming an owner, you contribute to the Co-op’s financial stability by adding to the amount of owner equity we manage and hold in savings. For more information on how cooperatives work, go here.
Members vs Owners
Co-ops are owned by their members which is why many co-ops refer to their members as owners, promoting a sense of identity with ownership. In order to become an owner, one must invest in the Co-op by purchasing equity. One does not need to be an owner to shop at the Co-op. Everyone is welcome.
OWNER BENEFITS
You become a stakeholder in a local business that supports the LOCAL ECONOMY.
10% off during our QUARTERLY SALE WEEKS.
Reduced prices on select items with owner-only BONUS BUYS.
Discounts on SPECIAL ORDERS.
WEBCART account with added features, such as order status, shopping list building, editing and canceling orders, and more.
Potential for earning a discount by volunteering as a WORKING OWNER.
A VOTE in the Annual Board Election.
The opportunity to run as a CANDIDATE in board elections.
Eligibility for patronage DIVIDENDS.
Opportunities to Save
Being an owner is about more than saving money but as an owner you will have more opportunities to do so.
Opportunity To Earn A Working-Owner Discount
How do I become an OWNER?
Owners invest a total of $200 in equity. This can either be paid in one lump sum or you can pay $20 annually for 10 years.
You can enjoy all the benefits of ownership as soon as the first payment is made and processed. Once this equity is fully paid, you’re an owner for life!
Ask a cashier for an application today and start enjoying your life as an owner!
OR DOWNLOAD IT HERE AND HAND IT IN TO A CASHIER
A strong community
Ownership In 2020...
385 new owners
131 owners became fully vested
“Thank you for being a place where I feel safe.”
“The Co-op is the only place I shopped for groceries in 2020.”
“I appreciate the time and care staff take with me.”
These are all phrases I heard more than I can count in 2020. Our community reflects back to us the appreciation they feel for us both in word and also in action. The action I am most aware of is paid equity. In a year ripe with fiscal challenges, we have had the pleasure of 385 new owners joining us in 2020. Every new owner is a confirmation that we are doing something right. In addition to many new customers becoming owners with us, we also had 131 owners become fully vested in 2020. It’s a beautiful reflection of support to not only have a customer become an owner, but to fully vest really shows investment in what we are building together.
Jennifer Wahlquist Coolidge Ownership & Outreach Coordinator
Be an active part of the Co-op
As a Co-op owner, you will be able to participate in monthly and annual meetings and speak on policies and issues affecting the cooperative. Beyond a group of people buying together at the store, Co-op owners are also linked to one another in other ways; the potential of a cooperative is large for creating a local food network that is safe, sustainable and accessible.
The Blue Hill Co-op’s Board of Directors meets the fourth Thursday of the month – Co-op owners are encouraged to attend. The board sets aside 10 minutes of every meeting to hear from owners.