Co-operatives
some basic resource material: definitions, notes, etc.:
Wikipedia on Co-operatives
Statement on the Co-operative Identity, International Co-operative Alliance
In New-Hampshire, we are starting a new co-op. We have the benefit of the experience of a couple of real pros at co-oping, so that'll help.
Organizational meetings:
- 22 April 2009, Wednesday - 6:30 PM, first organizational meeting
- 29 April 2009, Wednesday - 6:30 PM, 2nd organizational meeting
- 17 May 2009, Sunday - 5PM, proposed meeting, Concord (not accepted or scheduled yet - not held)
- 12 July 2009, Sunday - 6PM, proposed meeting, Concord (not announced or scheduled yet)
Other calendar events of interest:
Here's where we stand so far:
(If you want to be put on the invitation list for our organizational meetings, please write to us at co-op@AltExpo.org.)
We have had a couple of organizing meetings and will have more to settle on a name, a structure, select further officers and other details. We will probably start ordering from one of the sources below before we have settled on a final structure.
Sources we'll be able to buy from:
United Natural Foods, Inc., Chesterfield, New-Hampshire warehous
Associated Buyers, Barrington, New-Hampshire
- our information on Associated
INJOY Organics, Northfield, New-Hampshire
Frontier Natural Products Co-op
- our information on Frontier
Loving Naturals, New York (moving to New-Hampshire soon)
- sample products are being sent to us
Local farms and CSA's (we're seeking a temporary officer to coordinate the effort of finding and qualifying the farms)
- a certified organic farm in Bradford offers us eggs, veggies, several types of berries.
- a farmer near the Connecticut River offers veggies and pigs,
- ...and many more...
- We will select a farm coordinator to keep track of our possible suppliers and arrange informational visits to their facilities.
Additional suggestions from those we've invited to meetings.
Meeting place (business meetings and product pick-up):
Liberty Books
75 Allison Street
Concord, New-Hampshire
tel: 223-0335
Early meetings - agenda:
We now have selected a temporary meeting facilitator who will serve until we have a more formal structure with by-laws and elections. Our meeting facilitator will take suggestions for meeting items and will submit an agenda to the initial organizers. We will always allow a sufficient amount of time for newbie questions, concerns and suggestions.
Please submit meeting topic suggestions to co-op@AltExpo.org.
Mission:
Statement to be developed, but, generally, to co-operatively own and run our own pooled buying club which allows us to purchase in quantity directly from major distributors and manufacturers in order to get the lowest possible prices for our daily needs. Mentoring to co-operatively develop a healthy, functional, thriving community.
Structure:
We have the opportunity to create and structure our new co-operative in a way that suits our needs from the start. Experience has shown some things that work well and others not so well.
by-laws of other operating co-ops for our consideration:
- Southfield, Michigan
- others
Education and programs:
We are supportive of our members desire to become better informed on issues of health and nutrition, as well as survival,co-operative enterprise management and communications. To that end, we plan a full program of cross-training, mentoring, online and video education.See our education/programs page.
Frequently Asked Questions about our new co-op (to be moved to a separate page soon)
- Will you have fresh vegetables?
- Will you have a bricks and mortar store?
- Who will run the co-op?
- Can I be involved practically if I live far from Concord, the home location?
Co-op alliances, networks:
Co-operative Maine seems to be a good model for a state-wide network of all variety of co-operatives.
Co-op Power is a Western Massachusetts renewable power co-op that states a willingness to work with us.
Northeast Co-operative Summit
Types of co-operatives:
Business co-operatives
Electric power co-operatives
Farmer (producer) co-operatives
Food buying (consumer) co-operatives
Co-ops that run a market (like the Concord Co-operative Market on Main Street)
Working co-ops (what we are proposing) that do not have a store-front and where each member has some task, including breaking down the delivery when shipment occurs.
Health Care co-operatives (eg: Health Partners, Minnesota)
small- and medium-sized businesses are banding together into co-ops called self-insured groups
Housing co-operatives
Labor co-operatives
Financial co-operatives (Credit Unions)
Notes log:
7Jul09 - learned of an OCA, Organic Consumers Association: http://organicconsumers.org
7Jul09 - learned a new Concord Co-operative Market will open up in New London, New-Hampshire
Additional reference material:
Not suggesting incorporation, but here is the section of the New-Hampshire statutes on co-operatives.
Some co-op concerns
The above article is subject to editing to update the reference material and to finalize details about the meetings of the new co-op.
last edited 30October09, AM
