Archive for May, 2008

Sponsoring a New Member

May 31, 2008 · Filed under Membership · Tagged , ,

What are the procedures/important information to know for sponsoring a new member?

  • The sponsoring household must orient the new member to all ordering and delivery procedures as well as all membership responsibilities. They serve as the first point of contact for all questions, problems, or concerns until the new member officially joins the group.
  • The sponsoring household must notify & train new member on the online ordering system according to United’s pdf* ordering manual.
  • New members must have two order cycles completed with another member before ordering on their own. This allows them to have gradual exposure to the innerworkings of the coop (enterering orders, claiming splits, observing/working delivery and reviewing policy) before actual joining.
  • Potential new members are required to work at least one delivery with their host member before joining. This protects the new potential member (in case they decide it’s too much) and the group, from unpreparedness. * Note * New members are not likely to be added to their host family’s delivery crew team however, as new members are assigned based on space availability and need.
  • Only after the previous orientation steps are taken should that new potential new member submit requests for catalog subscription and personal ordering ID’s. They may join the yahoogroups! list serve at any time after initial interest in the group.
  • New members are committing to a year of ordering each month, even though there is no order minimum. Catalog subscriptions are pro-rated ($15 per year). Membership dues are not. (Also $15 per year).
  • If the co-op is full, then potential new members will be placed on a waiting list. They can join on a first come-first serve basis as spaces open up, as long as the orientation requirements are fulfilled. Names/Info can be added to the Yahoogroups! site Wait List database.

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Decision Making

May 31, 2008 · Filed under Membership

How are decisions made in this co-op?

Major decisions require consensus of all members. Smaller, day to day decisions can be made by the co-op coordinator. Major decisions include: fees and surcharges, change of site, decision to disband group.

Who participates in major decision making?

Active, working members only

When do we re-visit our decisions and renew our agreements?

Members are encouraged to openly discuss their concerns with each other. The yahoogroups website provices an appropriate forum for discussion and communication between order and delivery cycles and between meetings. The co-op holds quarterly meetings on second Tuesdays in Jan., April, July, and October. However, any member of the co-op can call a meeting to discuss any issue of concern to the group.

When decisions on major issues are needed, the Coordinator’s job is to make sure all members have the opportunity to be involved. This can include e-mail and telephone announcements of the issue and the meeting date, with plenty of advance warning. We encourage open discussion of all decisions, and we acknowledge that everyone won’t always agree on everything.

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