The West Michigan Co-op is run entirely by volunteers. There are no paid employees. There are many opportunities to get involved with the co-op and we encourage your participation to ensure our continued success. Following are the different ways to become involved:
1.) Volunteer on Producer Drop-off/Member Pick-up days! Volunteers are needed to help check in product from the producers and help to organize the products for the member pick-up. During the Member Pick-up, volunteers are needed to greet members as they arrive, help members find their correct orders on the shelves and inside the coolers/freezers, collect money at the check-out and help members carry their orders out to their cars if needed. Please contact Tara at tara@westmichigancoop.com if you are interested.
2.) Become a Voting Member! There are two ways to become a Voting Member of the West Michigan Co-op. Voting Members have a voice in the co-op by having a vote at the Annual Meetings and Special Membership Meetings called during the year. They are also eligible for a seat on the Board of Directors, when there is a vacancy. If you are interested in becoming involved with the Co-op as a Voting Member please consider one of the two avenues below:
– Users of the West Michigan Cooperative may pay $100 to the Co-op to become a lifetime Voting Member of the Co-op. This is in addition to the $35 annual user fee, which must be maintained to remain a lifetime Voting Member.
– Users who volunteer five or more times in a calendar year, ending December 31st, will become a Voting Member for the following calendar year. You must volunteer five times every year to maintain a Voting Member status. Every January 1st the volunteer numbers will reset to zero.
3.) Join a committee! The WM Co-op has formed 5 committees that focus on certain issues pertaining to the co-op. The amount of commitment varies from committee to committee. Please contact the chairperson or board liaison for more information and to find out if a particular committee can use your help.