Adopted: January 19, 2019
Updated: April 15, 2021
All memberships are perpetual, nonrefundable, and require financial investment from the member. Full membership rights are subject to being in good standing with the co-op, as defined in the co-op's bylaws, and include the following benefits:
- Possible patronage refund
- Vote on issues presented to the general membership
- Vote for board of directors
- Run for the board of directors
- Participate in bulk orders
- Participate in members-only sales
- Discounts on bulk orders
- Monthly member newsletter
These rights are available immediately upon full investment in co-op membership as an individual or institution. Voting, board involvement, and patronage refunds are subject to additional requirements.
TYPES OF MEMBERSHIPS:
- Individual - $100 (one-time)
- Institution - $500 (one-time)
- Student - $20 (annual)
Student membership gives the member all listed benefits except voting and eligibility to serve on the board. If the student invests $20 per year for 5 years, or pays the remainder of the $100 membership equity, the student membership will immediately become an individual membership.
LIMITED-INCOME MEMBERSHIP (LIME) PROGRAM:
Income assistance for individual membership is available. If a person is a recipient of one or more of the programs listed below, they automatically qualify to apply for limited-income assistance:
- Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP)
- Medicaid
- Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA)
- Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA)
- Section 8 Housing
- Security Deposit Assistance Program (SDAP)
- Social Security Disability
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/EBT)
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
Other programs may be eligible upon approval by the board. Proof is not required to request limited-income membership assistance; the member will sign a form certifying they participate in one of the listed programs. False representation of participation will result in termination of the membership.
Limited-income membership requires a minimum initial investment of $5 and an additional minimum payment of $5 per year until the membership is paid in full. All patronage refunds will be applied to the membership, prior to being distributed according to the patronage refund policy in the bylaws.
Members who are not participants in one of the listed programs but who are unable make the full payment all at once can request payment arrangements. An agreement will be drawn up with regular payments spaced out over a year. No processing fee or interest will be charged. All patronage refunds will be applied to the membership equity, prior to being distributed per the patronage refund policy in the bylaws.
Missing a payment without making arrangements with Coteau Community Market means the balance of the membership equity immediately becomes due and must be paid off by the end of the following month. Failure to do so will result in termination of the membership.
As stated in the bylaws, members are not eligible to vote or serve on the board, nor are they considered to be a member in good standing, until the membership equity is paid in full.