The orientation provides new members with information about the guiding principles, operating model, and member responsibilities of the food co-op. It reviews why the co-op was started to provide high quality, affordable food and support local producers and the economy. The co-op is modeled after another successful food co-op. Members are required to work 2.75 hours every 4 weeks and work shifts help defray operational costs. The orientation describes the process for becoming a member including payment plans, household benefits, and maintaining membership through work shifts or exceptions.

2. Purpose of the Member
Orientation
• To learn the guiding principles and
operating model of the Co-op.
• To understand member responsibilities
and work shift system.
• Touring the Co-op and asking questions.

3. Where We Started
Where We Started

4. Summer 2009

5. Winter 2010-2011

6. Why the Co-op Started
Our mission is to:
• Provide the highest quality nutrition in fresh, local,
bulk and natural foods at an affordable price.
• Unite consumers with local producers.
• Strengthen our local economy.
• Promote member participation at every level.
• Create a “neighborhood market” and gathering place
for the North-side/ West-side neighborhood.

7. About Our Model
• Modeled after Park Slope Food Co-op, which has
been in operation for 38 years.
• PSFC serve only members. (over 15,000 working
members)
• Requires 2.75 hours of members’ labor every 4
weeks.
• Members’ work defrays 75% of operation costs.

8. Revenue per Square Foot
Average Food
Store
Park Slope
Food Co-op
$0 $2,000 $4,000 $6,000 $8,000
Product Mark-up:
Industry Average (high end)
Industry Average (low end)
Park Slope Food Co-op
0% 20% 40% 60% 80%

9. Park Slope Food Co-op
Brooklyn, New York

10. Why We Adopted the PSFC Model
Mission: to make natural, fresh, nutritious and local
foods accessible to EVERYONE.
• Accessibility is directly related to the price of food.
• The price of food is directly related to overhead.
• Low overhead is achieved through the working member
model.
• And through volume – fast turn-over of product.

11. About Membership
• Membership is open to everyone.
• Active members may shop and vote in elections.
• Active members may submit proposals to the
monthly member meeting agenda.
• Membership is a dynamic, participatory role.

12. Steps to Becoming a Member
• Fill out and sign New Member Agreement Form.
(copies in store)
• Attend a new member orientation. (here you are!)
• Decide where your work shift will fit into your busy
life.
• Sign up for a training shift and work shift.
• Receive your working member card.

13. Membership Payment
• Cost of a membership (share) is $125.
• Payment plans are available. You may pay as little as
$5.00 per month after initial payment of $15.00.
• For members who receive federal assistance,
membership share is reduced to $15 (SSI, TANF, Section
8, WIC, SNAP and others).
• Students or residents who will be in Missoula < 5 years –
pay $25.00 a year until full amount ($125) is paid.

14. Household and Family
Benefits
• 1 person=1 workshift=1 vote~every member deserves
equal representation within Co-op!
• While there are no household memberships, one
household member can fulfill work requirements for other
members of the household.
• Households with children may receive work credit for
child care while another household member works at the
Co-op.

15. Additional Shopper Program
• All active members may add one Additional Shopper to their membership.
• Trial period: March 1, 2012 – November 1, 2012
• Administration Fee: $36 per year [Fee will be prorated at $3 per month, if an AS is added
April 1st fee would be $21].
• Steps to becoming Additional Shopper
1) Complete Additional Shopper application form.
2) Pay annual administrative fee (may be paid by sponsor).
3) Complete an orientation.
• Additional Shopper will receive their own card and number after completing
the steps outlined above.

16. Maintaining
Ownership
in YOUR Co-op
Member Meeting January 2012

17. Member Work Shifts
• All members must be current in their work
commitment.
• Members contribute a 3-hour “work shift” every 28
days equaling 13 work shifts a year.
• Regular work shifts rotate on a 4-week ABCD
calendar.
• For most members a consistent work shift is the best
option.

18. Work Shift Opportunities
• Cashiering
• Receiving and Stocking
• Membership Information
Desk
• Office Assistance
• Committee and Team
Work Shifts

19. Making Your Work Shift
Work for You
Shift Swaps, Make-ups and Future Time Off (FTOP)

20. If You Need to Miss
Your Shift
•Because the Co-op relies on you, missed shifts must be
swapped or made-up.
•If you know you need a shift off in advance, swaps are the
most cooperative way to help someone else out while
getting your shift covered.
•If you haven’t found a swap within 3 days of your shift,
notify Co-op that you will need to schedule a make-up
shift.

21. www.missoulafoodcoop.com
•Shift Calendar
• FTOP Calendar
• Shift swap
ABCD Calendar

22. Shift Swap
Required to join the Shift Swap Google Group
•There will be a prompt for signup on your first visit.

23. Making Up Your Shift
• It is your responsibility to find a make-up shift to do
within 28 days of the missed shift (before your next
scheduled shift).
• Shifts that need to be filled will be posted on the
FTOP calendar in the website.
• Email or call the Co-op to schedule a make-up shift.
workshift@missoulafoodcoop.com
(406) 729-2369

24. Future Time Off Program
(FTOP)
• Members with seasonal jobs or irregular availability may
bank hours so they may continue to shop at the Co-op in
advance of a period where they are unable to work.
• Members accumulate a positive bank of hours in advance
of any absence to be withdrawn from their account
every D week Saturday.
• Members who want to fulfill FTOP requirements should
be able to work weekend shifts as those are most
commonly needed.

25. Taking a Leave of
Absence
• If you will be away from the Co-op (both shopping
and working) for 8 weeks or more, you make take a
leave of absence.
• Please let the Co-op know
about your leave of absence
in advance of missing any
shifts, as you will be
responsible for making up
missed shifts that were
“unannounced.”

26. Inactive Status
• Members who fail to make-up missed shift or miss
subsequent shifts will fall into inactive status.
• Shopping and voting privileges will be suspended until
actions are taken to restore active status.
• Please communicate with a staff coordinator in order
to receive an extension on your make-up shift, or to
help you resolve your status so that you may shop!

27. Reinstating Active Status
• To reinstate “active” membership status and be able to
shop and vote, inactive members must:
- Make up shift and sign up for a new shift.
- FTOP will not be available to them until 6 months of
active status has been achieved.
• If inactive for over 12 months, a member must re-
attend orientation and training.
• If inactive status occurs more than once in 12 months,
member will owes up to 3 make-up shifts and re-attend
orientation and training.

28. Work Shift Exceptions
• Permanent disability/care giver work exemption.
• New parent exception – get 12 months of parental leave
from work duties. (Leave can be split between parents.)
• Childcare for another member who is working at the Co-
op counts as work requirement.
• If work shift missed because of death of family member or
friend, no make-up shift required.
• Bereavement work exemption – If member needs more
time to attend to loss.

29. Member Decision Making Processes
Members are active in all
decisions of the Co-op and can
contribute in these forums:
•Co-op Board of Directors elections
•Annual member meetings
•Member meeting - third Monday of
every month
•Submitting proposals for co-op
policy change

30. S H O P TH E C O -
OP
Click here to submit
completion form
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