Your $100 gets you: one step closer to a grocery store (without members there will be no store); a vote in all major points of the decision-making process (one membership = one vote so if both you and your girlfriend wanted voting privileges each of you would need to join separately); an economic benefit in the grocery store once it opens (specific benefits are to be determined and options are being investigated right now).

Although this founding member equity investment of $100 is not a “lifetime membership” per se, we hope that our finances will allow us to not ask for annual dues. In many co-ops around the country it is the case that an initial member equity buy-in is all that is required for membership. ever. Sometimes co-ops will ask for an additional buy in if, for example, they are looking to raise funds to buy a store instead of leasing or expand their current location or what not. Since we do not yet have a first location that is not relevant to our situation.

So: $100 equity investment makes you a part owner of the store. If we were ever to think that we would want members to invest more, you, as a member, would have a vote in determining if that were going to happen or not.

If this doesn’t answer your question fully, send me an e-mail at info@nolafoodcoop.org and I will give you more details.

Cheers,
AmyGeorge
NOFC Information Facilitator

In return, what do I receive for my $100?

Evidently, the cost of groceries is not included.

My girlfriend and I want to join. We would just like more information on what joining provides, and especially, how often do we have to pay?

Michael Jeter

Welcome and thanks for your interest!

Under the “Contact us” page, you can subscribe to our Announce List to find out about upcoming meetings or our Forum if you want to be part of the daily discuss e-mails.

You can download and print out our founding member brochure application and mail a check to the address printed there (NOFC, 621B N Rendon St,
New Orleans, LA 70119):

http://nolafoodcoop.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/founding_member_brochure_and_app_2008.pdf

Cheers,
AmyGeorge

Member equity deals with the idea that all members contribute equitably to the co-op meaning that everyone has contributed financially or in some other way. It’s really just a fancy way of talking about dues.

In regards to refunds: as a part owner, one will eventually be able to sell one’s share back to the group or to another person–one type of refund. Another is the idea of getting a refund on your purchases at the end of the fiscal year. In that case, if the co-op had made a profit, some of the profits would be returned to the members based upon their purchases. Note that neither of these types of refunds has been determined as something that we are going to offer but these are some of the things that other co-ops do. Our specific member benefits are currently under development.

Hope this clarifies those concepts somewhat.

AmyGeorge

Ena Konjolka

We’ll get in touch with you directly. Our tech folks have been working on refining/streamlining the process and should have it all straight. Thanks for your patience.

AmyGeorge

I completed the application and clicked on the ‘Submit Application’ link in order to take me to PayPal - but it took me to the Home Page of the Co-op, instead.

Can you please give me the PayPal email addy or email me directly and let me know what course of action to take.

Thanks again,
Kevin

NOPD1010 at gmail dot com.