Owner Responsibilities
1. Join us at our Annual Shareholder Meeting on Monday, February 27, 2012, at First Presbyterian Church (716 College Ave.) at 7:00 p.m.
2. Take Part in the Co-Op’s Governance: Owners democratically participate in the co-op by attending meetings, voting in elections, holding office and joining committees. You must be an Owner to run for elected board positions.
3. Understand Cooperative Principles and Business Needs: Our principles define us as a unique business and inform our core values and business practices that emphasize service to Owners and to the greater community. But we can’t do this at the expense of positive economic returns. Since the number one benefit that a co-op Owner receives is, in fact, the co-op itself, we have a responsibility to make sure that the business is run sustainably and can exist into the future.
4. Promote the Co-Op and the Idea of Ownership: Like any well run business, we want to continue to grow our base of shoppers and Owners. To that end, allow Wild Root Market to use your name by “Opting In” our Privacy Policy. When we can rely on one another to promote the co-op, we can save thousands of dollars in outside advertising costs.
5. Shop the Co-Op: When the store is open, making the co-op your primary food store helps to build a stronger business and a stronger local economy.
6. And, most importantly: spread the word
Building our ownership base is the best and fastest way to ensure we open our doors as soon as possible. We ask each of our Owners to actively recruit more folks interested in shepherding Wild Root Market from vision to reality. Regardless of where the co-op will eventually be located, it will be good for the Racine/Kenosha communities and surrounding areas by providing jobs and fresh, healthy foods and products, many of them locally or regionally sourced.
How can you help?
1. Personally ask your family, friends, colleagues and those within your other circles to join. Remember that ownership can be paid in $50/quarter installments. A personal “ask” is sometimes all that’s needed. Let them know why you joined and why a fresh foods co-op is important to you.
2. Buy an owner share as a gift. What better way to show your love or appreciation than by giving the gift of a pathway to improved health and a stronger, more sustainable local food system?
3. Encourage your employer to buy owner shares as employee recognition gifts for service, performance or other acknowledgement milestones.
4. Invite Wild Root Market to speak at a group function at your school, your community organization, your workplace, etc.
5. Offer to host a House Party. They’re easy. They’re fun. And we provide great resources for hosting, planning and executing your event.
