Learn about the cooperative ownership of a retail grocery co-op, and how YOU can become a voting member/owner of OCGC.
Why Become a Member-Owner?
Member-owners are the lifeblood of a cooperative. As a member/owner, you own a share in the co-op. While anyone can shop at the co-op once it opens, only member-owners have a vote in deciding how the store will develop, what it will carry, and what services it will offer. Member-owners have the right to vote to elect the Board that will guide the development of the co-op, and eventually oversee the store management.
Being a member-owner means you own a share in the co-op. The more community members who become owners, the more control the community has in designing and building the store.. This means local decisions and local control, which can help strengthen our local economy. Chain stores make decisions based on the bottom line, and may choose to vacate stores in neighborhoods where their profit margin is low. Food cooperatives are building blocks of the local community, and work hard to keep the store as a stable food source for the neighborhood. When a food co-op has a strong base of local member-owners, it can help to supply food security for the area, and support local food producers as well.
Joining Early Is Important
Starting a food co-op is much like starting any other business – it requires capital to cover the early expenses of feasibility and marketing studies, and all the steps thereafter. A steady growth of member-owners from the very beginning is required to build towards future steps like site selection and building out the store. Additional funding sources will be developed along the way, including loans and grants. Those funders will view the membership growth much as your personal bank views your credit score. Early and steady membership/ownership growth is of great importance.
How to Join
OCGC offers two versions of member-ownership. In both cases there is one vote per membership. Any member can elect to donate additional funds beyond membership, but they will still only have one vote.
INDIVIDUAL Member-Owners:
Membership-ownership share is $225.00, this can be made in $25.00 monthly installments if desired. Member-ownerships are considered household ownerships, and only one person may vote per household.
ORGANIZATION Member-Owners:
Organization member-owner shares are $275.00 and payment arrangements may be made upon request. One member of the organization should be designated for voting purposes. Please inquire by email with questions.
Complete the online application and then click here to make your payments. You can also download, print and then email or mail your application. Please use the download button below.