The Potential of a Cooperative System:

"You clearly have a lot of very dedicated people working in co-ops in the States -- because there's only a limited co-op system here to support them."

--Eric Dean, general manager of Co-op Atlantic, made this observation after participating in the 1991 Consumer Cooperative Management Association conference.

At the time this remark was made, many of us had very little understanding of what was meant by a "co-op system." What's the big deal? We have lots of co-ops that are doing well and growing. For businesses owned and controlled by their local communities, what difference would a co-op system make? Besides, it's the members who make the co-op successful, right?

To those of us who were fortunate enough to participate in the five-day visit to co-ops in the Atlantic provinces of Canada last October, the promise and potential of a co-op system became vividly clear. In a few days we could only glimpse what these Canadian cooperators mean by a "system," but we were all inspired and impressed. We learned what a huge difference a system that supports and helps develop co-ops can make to its individual members and to the public. We saw evidence of the tremendous power these co-ops have in their markets and the many benefits they bring to their communities. Perhaps most importantly, we were reminded of the value and potential of consumer ownership when it is the driving force for meeting mutual and basic needs.

The tour and participants

The Co-op Atlantic study tour was coordinated by Andy Ferguson of Northeast Cooperative Development Services and a board member of Northeast Cooperatives. The tour was co-sponsored by Cooperative Grocer, the National Cooperative Business Association and the University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives, and by our hosts at Co-op Atlantic, whose contributions of time, materials, logistics and presentations were invaluable. The eighteen U.S. participants were a mix of managers, employees and board members from cooperative wholesales, retails, and service organizations.

The tour consisted of a non-stop series of 2-4 hour presentations interspersed with short tours. During the week we toured three retail co-ops (including one co-op's auto repair facility), one of Co-op Atlantic's food distribution centers, and a child care co-op. We heard presentations from Co-op Atlantic employees as well as co-op managers and leadership about Co-op Atlantic, retail development, grocery merchandising, training programs, and future directions, as well as the status of co-ops and co-op development efforts throughout the Atlantic provinces.

Atlantic Canada

The Atlantic provinces of Canada are made up of four provinces: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland/Labrador. PEI, Newfoundland and part of Nova Scotia are islands, and although Labrador is attached to mainland Canada, its remote eastern location results in its access via Newfoundland. In addition, the Magdalen Islands, though part of the province of Quebec, are part of Co-op Atlantic's service area. Transportation barriers are formidable, with winter limiting ferry service to many areas. This region was the site of early English and French settlements, and 30 percent of the population are "francophone" -- those who speak French as a first language. Historically, natural and human resources have flowed west to Quebec and Ontario. The population base is low, and forests and fisheries have been severely depleted.

Co-op Atlantic's cooperative roots

Earlier this century, Canada's Maritime provinces were home to the Antigonish cooperative movement led by J. J. Tompkins and Moses M. Coady at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia. These pioneers saw cooperatives as a way to bring economic self-sufficiency to the people of this region -- to help them become "masters of their own destiny." As a result of these efforts, producer, consumer, and credit cooperatives enjoy an unusual level of popularity throughout Atlantic Canada.

Co-op Atlantic is a supplier with a diverse product mix -- from consumer goods to agricultural inputs. This mix is a natural extension of the organization's history. In the 1920s, livestock producers in the region found themselves at the mercy of drovers who would pit one farmer against another to buy at the lowest possible prices. To combat this situation, producers formed their own livestock shipping clubs, which banded together to form the Maritime Livestock Board in 1927. As the livestock board's successes grew, farmers began to consider how cooperation could do more for them. Cooperative buying of feed grains was the next step, and in the 193 Os the group began to pool buying of other farm needs and, eventually, basic consumer goods such as tea, coffee, molasses, and flour.

In 1944 the group was re-incorporated as the Maritime Cooperative Services Ltd. and expanded its services to co-ops in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. During the 1960s it began serving co-ops in Newfoundland. In 1978, reflecting its growing role in providing goods and services to local coops of all kinds in the four Atlantic provinces, its name was changed to Co-op Atlantic.

Co-op Atlantic today

To this day, Co-op Atlantic is unique in its resolve to meet the needs of producers and consumers within a single cooperative system. The theory is simple: the Atlantic region is simply too small, economically and geographically, to support a number of independent cooperatives. Co-op Atlantic's scope of operations continues to be diverse, including several subsidiaries. They also work with allied cooperative systems and service organizations in credit, finance, and other fields. For this article, we'll focus on Co-op Atlantic's operations providing goods and services to retail co-ops.

Co-op Atlantic:

• A regional co-operative wholesaler providing products and services to its member-owner co-ops in the Atlantic provinces and the Magdalen Islands.
• 1993 wholesale sales in excess of $440 million
• Employs more than 850 people
• Serves 142 retail and agricultural co-ops and buying clubs with grocery, produce, meats, dry goods, hardware, and agricultural products
• More than 650,000 Atlantic Canadians -- 200,000 families -- are members of cooperatives.

Co-op Atlantic is owned by 161 co-operatives:

• 59 conventional co-ops
• 5 regional co-ops
• 29 direct charge co-ops
• 4 housing co-ops
• 19 multi-purpose co-ops
• 18 agricultural societies
• 1 worker co-op
• 10 agricultural co-ops
• 1 newspaper co-op
• 5 buying clubs
• 8 producer co-ops
• 5 regional co-ops
• 2 fishermen's co-ops
• 1 newspaper co-op (Atlantic Co-operative Publishers)

Co-op Atlantic serves member co-operatives through:

• Wholesale operations in groceries, produce, hardware, dry goods, petroleum, building supplies, feed and farm supplies, with distribution centers in Moncton, Sydney and Gander, and three livestock and poultry feed plants.
• Provision of specialized services in management, training for employees, directors and members, member communications, planning, accounting, auditing, information systems, credit, finance, engineering, merchandising, printing and advertising, and others.
• The operating of Atlantic People Housing Ltd., a subsidiary, involved in real estate activities including development and management of housing co-ops, land development, house construction, and non-profit senior citizens' housing.

Co-op Atlantic supplies its members with groceries, produce, hardware, dry goods, petroleum, building supplies, feed and farm supplies. In addition, they also provide a procurement service for members for meat and frozen foods, enabling their retail co-ops to enjoy the benefits of the system-wide purchasing volume without Co-op Atlantic handling these products. Three Co-op Atlantic distribution centers supply members with food and grocery items, which account for about 85 percent of total sales, while one distribution center serves all members with hardware and clothing.

Co-op Atlantic's 1993 sales were $440 million, up 5.3 percent from 1992. Its assets total $90 million, and projected 1993 profit, to be returned to members through patronage refunds, will be about $6 million. Co-op Atlantic itself employs more than 850 people. It is one of the largest regionally-owned businesses in Atlantic Canada, and controls nearly 20 percent of market share in groceries.

Co-op Atlantic's 161 members are similarly diverse. Although they are primarily retail grocery and consumer goods co-ops, members also include agricultural and producer co-ops, several co-op associations and housing co-ops, and five buying clubs. In 1992, Co-op Atlantic's members had combined sales of over $975 million and employed over 5,000 people throughout the region. Finally, Co-op Atlantic's members are owned by more than 168,000 families representing over half a million people.

Retail formats: conventional and direct charge

Co-op Atlantic's retail members operate using two basic models -- one familiar to U.S. co-ops and one virtually unknown. The conventional co-op is one with an open and unlimited membership, providing goods and services to members andy, non-members alike. To join a conventional co-op, members make a small initial equity investment, usually about $20, with additional investments added to the members' accounts through annual patronage refunds.

Conventional co-ops provide competitive prices (Coop Atlantic helps them with pricing surveys to ensure that they do) and then distribute their surplus (profit) at the end of the year to each member proportionate to the member's purchases. Each member receives the patronage refund as an allocation to his/her equity account until it reaches the co-op's share requirement -- typically $400-$600. When members' share accounts have reached the required investment level, members may receive their patronage refunds in cash or leave them at the coop as loans, in which case they are paid interest. Co-op Atlantic has 59 members structured as conventional coops.

The structure of a direct charge co-op is different in almost every respect. The theory of a direct charge co-op is that it allocates all of its fixed costs (overhead, administration, supplies, facilities, etc.) equally to all members, regardless of purchases, in a weekly fee -- hence the name "direct charge." Goods are then priced with only a small mark-up to cover variable expenses, resulting in very low prices to members. In other words, the co-op's members pay a fee each week to cover basic costs and then purchase products from the co-op at tremendous savings.

But the operating practices of a direct charge co-op also make it distinct from conventional co-ops. To begin with, direct charge co-ops are open only to members. As with conventional co-ops, members join a direct charge co-op by making a small initial share purchase. However, direct charge members must also pledge to purchase additional co-op shares at the rate of $1-2 per week until their shares total the required level. Most direct charge co-ops have higher share requirements than their conventional counterparts -- usually $600-800. In addition, members sign a form with their membership application stating that they will pay the weekly service fee (the direct charge), usually $2.50-3.50 per week, as established by the membership.

Because of the savings they offer their members, well run direct charge co-ops can become very popular in their market areas. In fact, most direct charge co-ops limit their membership -- too many members can make it difficult to keep sufficient items in stock and can result in unacceptably long lines at the checkstand. Typically, direct charge co-ops limit their membership to one for each ten square feet of store space and have a long waiting list of interested potential members. Additionally, direct charge co-ops don't advertise -- after all, the stores aren't open to non-members; who would they be advertising to? Nor are the stores open every day. But members have every incentive to purchase as much as they can from the co-op -- since the more they purchase, the more their weekly service fee is diffused.

Co-op image and co-op ownership

In other ways, the operations of Co-op Atlantic's direct charge and conventional co-op members are strikingly similar. Most use a common logo, designed by Co-op Atlantic, that is recognized throughout the region. They make use of display and signage materials provided by Co-op Atlantic that create a clean and consistent image. The co-op logo appears on products that they all prominently feature: "CO-OP" and "HARMONIE" labels.

Because Co-op Atlantic considers itself a partner in the development of co-ops throughout the region, its services are developed accordingly.

The stores all use common signage at their entrances to list the co-op principles, describe their membership systems, provide newsletter and sales information, and display names and/or photos of the co-op's board members. A further similarity is that these co-ops all have far higher share requirements than most U.S. co-ops, although the collection period is typically longer.

Regardless of which membership system is used, these co-ops aren't shy about being consumer-owned; they're proud of their co-op structure and take every opportunity to make it more understandable to their customers or members. Co-op Atlantic has developed materials and performance standards that help all of its retails, regardless of type, attractively and prominently promote their co-op and governance systems. After all, promoting cooperative ownership is a common need among its members, and it's far more costly for each coop to have to develop its own materials. We're starting to glimpse some of the advantages of a co-op "system."

Basic services -- and more

Of course, a major focus of Co-op Atlantic's operations is efficiently and responsively providing its retail members with goods: groceries, produce, hardware, clothing, photofinishing, motor fuels and oils, heating fuel, and general merchandise. To complement its products, Co-op Atlantic supports its members with a wide variety of services to assist their daily operations, ranging from the ordinary to the unusual -- including merchandising, accounting, printing, advertising, information systems, member relations, training and management support.

Because Co-op Atlantic considers itself a partner in the development of co-ops throughout the region, its services are developed accordingly. Most grocery distributors provide merchandising, printing, advertising, and other services to their retail accounts. Co-op Atlantic, however, goes further by emphasizing member relations, training and management support.

The focus of Co-op Atlantic's member relations support is to help its member co-ops in five key activities: planning and administration, membership analysis, recruitment, communications, and events. Indeed, members are the backbone of the entire system. If co-ops can't figure out how to recruit, keep track of, communicate with, and effectively encourage participation by their members, the whole system is weaker. 

Training resources and commitment

Co-op Atlantic's training and management support services are substantial and are highly integrated. They provide all members with an extensive series of on-thejob retail training manuals. These materials begin with a standardized orientation program that introduces employees to co-ops, the Co-op Atlantic system, regional co-ops, and their own local co-op.

Materials then cover specific job functions and technical skills based on effective standardized operating procedures developed by an advisory group of retail managers. Co-op Atlantic also provides uniform job descriptions for each retail position, which can be adapted by any co-op and which include a training plan for each job.

A separate training program is maintained to develop employees from within the co-op system to become retail co-op managers. Called the "retail management development program" (RMDP), this program requires a commitment by each trainee to relocate for two to three years. Training typically lasts about 18 months and includes both in-class work as well as a great deal of in-store, self-directed study and work. RMDP trainees are assigned to specific stores from among Co-op Atlantic's members for their training periods, and evaluations of trainees' progress are conducted every two months.

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are assigned to manage small stores, usually those in the $2-4 million range. Since Co-op Atlantic pays 60 percent of the salary and benefits costs of trainees as well as all of the training costs, each RMDP graduate represents an investment by Co-op Atlantic of approximately $40,000. However, well managed retail co-ops are the result of this investment, and Co-op Atlantic is very pleased with this program and its results.

Member Relations Appraisal

Co-op Atlantic's member relations department has developed an 8-page appraisal form to help member co-ops identify their strengths and weaknesses in member relations. The appraisal form divides its questions into five key member relations functions; here is a sample of (yes/no) questions from each area:

PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATION:

Is the co-op's membership list up to date?

Does it include key information: names, addresses, equity position, etc.

Are inactive accounts closed as required by law?

Has the board adopted objectives to guide member relations decisions and programs?

Does the co-op have a member relations committee?

MEMBERSHIP ANALYSIS:

Does the co-op regularly analyze member purchases?

Is there a way to determine the members' wants and expectations now and in the future?

Is there a way to regularly measure members' opinions and attitudes about the co-op?

Are the reasons for a members withdrawal from the co-op recorded?

RECRUITMENT:

Is there an easily identified area where people can join or get information

Does every employee know how to address membership inquiries?

Is there a membership recruitment plan with established goals?

Which of the following are used to attract new members:

• personalized recruitment
• recruitment incentive programs
• media
• open houses (and others)

COMMUNICATIONS:

Which of the following are used for communicating with members:

• newsletter
• bulletin board
• owners manuals
• education sessions for members (and others)
• Is there signage that helps members understand the co-op's purpose and policies?
• Are there materials available that help members understand cooperatives?

Does the co-op consult members when a major Issue must be decided?

EVENTS/PROGRAMS/ACTIVITIES:

Does the co-op plan the annual meeting at least three months in advance?

Are meeting attendance goals set?

Which of the four components of a well rounded meeting are present on the agenda:

• business meeting
• education
• entertainment
• social

Is there a short biographical sketch of each candidate published?

What other core events are planned in advance:

Co-op Week (Month)

anniversaries

member appreciation week (and others)

Co-op Atlantic recommends at least 60 percent 'yes' answers in each area, with an overall rating of at least 75 percent. (Remember, this is only a sampling of the questions in each area.)

Management contracts

A unique aspect of the Co-op Atlantic system is its management contracts with retail co-ops. While Co-op Atlantic is strongly committed to local ownership of co-op stores, it recognizes the vital importance of well-qualified management at the store level. Rather than leaving each co-op to its own devices to attract and develop talented managers, Co-op Atlantic has developed a program that helps provide qualified, accountable managers to retail coops -- a system that helps build strong coops and a strong co-op system.

Under this plan, Co-op Atlantic enters into a contract to provide a general manager and supervisory support for a retail member. These "management agreements" help coops attract talented managers and provide career opportunities for those employed within coops. Management agreements also establish a close working relationship between Co-op Atlantic and its members. To be sure, this service is one that requires both parties to bring a fair amount of trust and good will to the arrangement. But most importantly, through its retail management development program and management contracts, Co-op Atlantic can help its members with continuity through management turnover.

Here's how it works: retail co-ops, by decision of the local board of directors, contract for Co-op Atlantic to manage the co-op and its operations. Co-op Atlantic then designates a potential manager candidate. The co-op's board still has the chance to accept or reject this candidate. Once a mutually acceptable candidate is located, the manager takes the job. The manager is a Co-op Atlantic employee, paid by Co-op Atlantic, although the retail co-op reimburses Co-op Atlantic for the manager's compensation. The retail co-op also pays a fee based on sales volume.

The co-op manager reports jointly to Co-op Atlantic and to the retail co-op's board of directors. Both retain full, joint authority to take any action related to the manager, but with Co-op Atlantic's training and support services, any problems that arise are addressed early. The manager is responsible for making regular and special reports to the co-op board as needed and is accountable to that board for meeting the needs of the co-op's members. At the same time, the manager is responsible to Co-op Atlantic for meeting agreed-upon operating standards and receives support from Co-op Atlantic as problems or needs arise. 

Management contracts are renewable annually. Coop Atlantic has found this service to be especially effective with smaller stores that have a hard time attracting, compensating and retaining qualified management. Currently, Co-op Atlantic has 65 member retails on management contract, and a majority of its sales are through these stores. 

Co-op development services

Co-op Atlantic's commitment to consumer ownership extends beyond current co-ops and their operations. Co-op Atlantic provides extensive resources to groups interested in forming new co-ops, and their track record in co-op development is most impressive. However, the primary driver in their development work is always community interest and initiative. 

Once an interested group approaches them about starting a co-op, Co-op Atlantic begins a series of studies to determine the community and market potential for supporting a viable cooperative. After determining that the project is feasible, they secure an option for a site and begin working with a local steering committee. The steering committee is typically made up of 20-30 people whose job it will be to recruit enough members and secure enough initial financial commitment from the community to get the project going.

Co-op Atlantic provides a lot of support and assistance to these local steering committees, but its overall philosophy is, "We're here to help you; the interest and momentum for a co-op has to come from its community, not from Co-op Atlantic." They provide the steering committee with training materials and sessions on recruitment techniques. They help cover some of the out-of-pocket costs, make presentations, and are available for as much advice and counsel as the group needs. However, based on the square footage of the proposed co-op store, the steering committee must recruit 80 percent of the required membership base (one member per ten square feet) before construction begins.

When a new co-op group successfully recruits enough members, Co-op Atlantic and its subsidiaries move into action. They purchase the land, design and build the store, help arrange financing, and prepare the store for opening day. After the opening, Co-op Atlantic sells the new store to the co-op's membership. 

Although Co-op Atlantic estimates that they invest about $50,000-80,000 in a new co-op development effort before construction even begins, they do walk away from projects when the steering committee is unsuccessful in meeting its recruitment requirements. Ultimately, Co-op Atlantic knows that the success of new co-op development rests with the local steering committee and genuine interest in the local community. 

For several years, Co-op Atlantic's new co-op development work has been exclusively with direct charge co-ops. In these projects, the commitment for weekly fee and share payments from at least 80 percent of the needed members greatly reduces Co-op Atlantic's risk. Co-op Atlantic has helped launch ten new and successful direct charge co-ops in the last ten years.

"Proposal for Renewal"

Co-op Atlantic's leadership, recognizing that it must continue to anticipate problems in a dynamic, changing world, spawned a proposal to Co-op Atlantic's membership that was approved in March 1991, Called the 'Proposal for Renewal' or Resolution 11, it analyzes factors affecting life and economic development in Atlantic Canada and specific objectives that will strengthen co-ops and the co-op system. Below are excerpts: 

Resolution 11 was born out of a serious concern about Atlantic Canada's growing dependency and the inconsistency between Co-op Atlantic's cooperative nature and that dependency. It was also born out of a recognition that the dependency of our region and our communities is the single biggest threat to the co-operatives of Atlantic Canada.

THE NEED TO CHALLENGE ATLANTIC CANADA'S DEPENDENCY:

The principal beneficiaries and one of the prime contributors to dependency In Atlantic Canada are those who control the arrangements for the provision and distribution of goods and services. Dependency means that the availability of goods and services for some is controlled or determined.by others, The dependency resides in the control or power over the economy exercised by and for private interests, rather than for community interest. Atlantic Canada is experiencing dependency, and the best way to overcome it is by the serious and determined application of the principles of cooperation, leading to establishment and linking of co-operative enterprises.

The task confronting us Is clear. The objective Is for people in their Atlantic Canadian communities to take increasing control of the economy.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CO-OPERATIVE BUSINESS ALTERNATIVE:

It is the nature of co-operatives that makes them suitable and important in solving the problems of regional dependency. It is theirco-operative nature that gives them their strength as well as their relevance. 

In our society, the economy, the social system, and the political system are often separated to simplify discussion -- in reality they are inseparable. 

The structure of co-operatives is community based, and by definition they are socio-economic structures with a commitment to a democratic political process. 

The main social role of co-operatives is performed through the creation of successful co-operative businesses whose structure reflects equity, equality and mutual self-help. The role of co-operatives is not to give charity to people with problems but to give them a process to seek the reasons as to why they are poor and assist them to solve their problems with dignity. 

Co-operatives are consistent with the concept of mutual interdependence. Human dignity requires that we be able to share and also be independent. We derive our meaning in life by fully developing our potential while contributing to our community. 

OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES:

1. Integrated co-op development: to develop interdependent co-operative structures which exercise increasing control over our economic future.

2. Facilitating co-operative development: to contribute to the successful development and growth of new and existing co-operatives in all sectors of the economy. 

3. Capital formation: to accumulate investment capital forthe establishment and growth of the community-controlled co-operative economy and invest that capital so that it contributes to the financial health and efficiency of existing co-ops. 

4. Stakeholder control: to create maximum stakeholder involvement, participation and commitment through ownership structure and other mechanisms which reflect the relative stake of each stakeholder and inter-dependencies. (Distinct stakeholders have been identified thus far as: the co-ops which own Co-op Atlantic; the people who work in Co-op Atlantic; the people who work in local co-operatives; and the members who own the local co-ops.) 

5. Responsibility to the environment: to operate in harmony with the environment and contribute to its enrichment and to operate in a manner which recognizes our interdependency with the natural world.

6. Communication/Education: to create an understanding among co-op members and the public of the characteristics, benefits and need for a cooperative economy and co-operative development. 

Lessons from the Co-op Atlantic system

Co-op Atlantic and its network of consumer-owned cooperatives are a model of economic interdependence and provide interesting lessons for U.S. co-ops. Perhaps the most important one is the potential for cooperatives when they enjoy the benefits of combined resources, when local ownership means focusing on members' needs without the limitations of independent operations. 

An equally important lesson is that co-ops can be dominant players in their markets without having to sacrifice complete local ownership and control. Indeed, Co-op Atlantic's unwavering commitment to its members and to consumer ownership is the foundation of all that it is. To Co-op Atlantic, local ownership and control is an asset; operating independently and without outside support is a liability. The Co-op Atlantic system is designed to provide its members the benefits of a chain, without supplanting consumer and community ownership. 

At the end of our tour, our group spent some time listing key factors contributing to Co-op Atlantic's success. Two elements incorporate many of the specific factors identified by our group: 

1. The advantages of a cooperative system: standardized operating procedures and practices; use of a common logo and image throughout the region; the availability of career opportunities for employees; management contracts for retail co-ops; a strong commitment to training and development of training materials with practical application; a sense of teamwork through the entire system; a commitment to developing an adequate capital base for retail coops. The system stays focused on helping primary co-ops meet their members' needs.

2. Commitment to cooperative vision and values: maintaining a steadfast focus on consumer ownership and the cooperative principles of equity, equality and mutual self-help; willingness to name, articulate and use the values of cooperatives prominently in operations; encouraging revolutionary and creative thinking to continually challenge co-ops to look forward and not become complacent; focus on meeting basic human needs; practical applications of the co-op principles. The entire system stays focused on helping co-ops make a difference to their members and their local communities. 

Applications for U.S. co-ops

Many ideas can be applied to the development of strong consumer cooperatives in the U.S., and further discussion will be needed to identify specific strategies. Our group identified three major focus areas for efforts to apply these lessons to our co-ops: 

1. Integration and standardization: We will strengthen our co-ops by creating standard operating procedures and a unified image, exploring joint procurement and co-op label possibilities, by more collaboration among co-ops of all types and an increased sense of working as members of a common team to build cooperatives.

2. Capitalization and development: New and existing co-ops will be strengthened if we develop models for member equity programs, cultivate resources that can help co-ops meet their financing needs, and create models for successful co-op development.

3. Cooperative vision and commitment:

We need to clearly articulate our common vision and values, to have excellent materials for member and staff education about co-ops, and to structure systems that respect and are responsive to all co-op stakeholders. We need to support efforts for looking ahead and challenging co-ops to new heights.

It's hard not to be excited by the sights and accomplishments of the cooperative system in Atlantic Canada. Whatever your particular vision for co-ops, it is inspiring to see co-ops meeting their potential, serving as a catalyst to bring people together as "masters of their own destiny."

What is most clear is the tremendous potential of a system focused on helping consumers meet their mutual needs and build strong community-oriented organizations. Think of how much your own cooperative could accomplish if it were part of a system like Co-op Atlantic's -- if each co-op didn't have to create membership brochures, newsletters, training and procedure manuals, promotional materials from scratch. Let's not stop with the inspiration!

Tour participants:

Terry Appleby, Hanover Consumers Co-op; David Barry, Harvest Cooperative Supermarket; Dick Ernst, Brattleboro Food Co-op; Andy Ferguson, Northeast Cooperative Development Services; Dan Foley, Wedge Community Co-op; Bill Gessner, Cooperative Development Services; Gail Graham, Seward Co-op; Dave Gutknecht, Cooperative Grocer; Paul Hazen, National Cooperative Business Association; John Hatton, Northeast Cooperatives; Ann Hoyt, UW Center for Cooperatives; Bob Lyons, Northeast Cooperatives; E.G. Nadeau, Cooperative Development Services; Peg Nolan, People's Food Co-op (La Crosse); Joyce Johnson-Sudarkasa, NCB Development Corporation; Ellen Sturgis, Northeast Cooperatives; Jim Tompkins, Tucson Cooperative Warehouse; Karen Zimbelman, trainer and consultant