DOWNLOAD A FULL BROCHURE

(Fill out the Member-Owner page and mail it in or bring to the store, or)

(Link to the signup page, fill out the top part, PLEDGE and mail or bring your check in, or)

(Link to the signup page, fill out the top and bottom and JOIN on line)

Making It Work—Member Equity

We have established that the Member-Owner equity share price in the Old Creamery Co-op will be $150. Member-owners are critical for The Old Creamery Co-op’s success. Like all businesses, the Co-op is built on capital and will require financing, both to purchase the business from its current owners and to maintain the daily operations of a retail store.

The member equity that you provide with your application, along with other donations and loans, will help launch the Old Creamery Co-op. All founding member equity payments will be placed in escrow until the Co-op is ready to open.  Click here for a full copy of the Member-Owner Guide or call 413-634-5560 and ask to speak with the Co-op Outreach Coordinator.

Member-Owner Benefits

As a founding member-owner, your benefits will include:

• Pride in keeping the Old Creamery a vibrant and sustainable community resource for years to come.
• A voice in the Co-op’s decisions.
• Eligibility to vote for and serve on the Board of Directors.
• Access to the Co-op’s Patronage Dividend Program.
• Storewide discounts on Owner Appreciation Days.
• Discounts on special case orders.
• The ability to participate in the Coop’s Business Directory and to promote your own business through websites, publications, and other community building programs.
• The opportunity to directly support important local priorities through job creation, supporting local food growers and suppliers, and fostering cooperation between people, businesses, towns and area organizations. 

Click here to Join or Pledge on-line 

Note: some benefits, such as the patronage dividend program, will only be available when the Co-op purchases the current Creamery business

All cooperative businesses are owned by their members.  This is a fundamental principle to the concept of a co-op. Co-op member-owners contribute money to purchase equity in the business. With this equity, member-owners get a say in how the business is run by electing the board of directors who, in turn, hires and supervises the General Manager, who, in turn hires and supervises staff and runs the day to day business operations.

Member-owners have numerous opportunities to provide input into the mission, priorities and programs of the business.  Co-ops are founded on democratic principles.  Member-owners vote on all matters brought before them by the Board of Directors.  One person, one vote.

The cost of an equity share in the co-op is established by the Board of Directors based on the capital needed to establish/operate the co-op.  From time to time, over the life of the co-op, the Board may determine that there is a need for additional capital and may increase the amount of required owner equity.  (Typically this is done when there are expansion/relocation initiatives or major capital improvement to the existing co-op, which are initiated or supported by the member-owners).  Most co-ops offer some option for making equity payments over time to ensure that ownership opportunity is available and accessible for as many people as possible.  Member-Ownership in the co-op is always voluntary.  Member-owners may choose to leave the co-op at any time and may request a refund of their equity.  (For example: an individual might move out of the area and may not want to continue membership in the co-op)  The Board of Directors has the right to determine the timing of return of equity, based on the best interests of the co-op.

In addition to purchase of the initial member-owner equity share, many co-op supporters also choose to provide additional financial support to the co-op.  Additional support may be offered in the form of gifts and/or member-owner loans. 

It is important to note that all businesses have an element of risk.  A co-op is no different. In most cases, the member-owner’s risk is limited to their equity investment in the business.  Some exceptions, for example, are: if the member-owner also provides a loan to the co-op, or if the member-owner serves on the board of directors of the the co-op.

Most co-ops are for profit businesses.  And many co-ops measure themselves on the “triple bottom line” making sure that they have positive performance in the successful operations of the business, and also in the social and environmental impact of their work.