This document discusses strategies for growing membership and ongoing engagement of owners at Prairie Roots Food Co-op in Fargo, ND. Some key points include: Prairie Roots has seen success in growing ownership through public events like their launch party, Earth Day, and a groundbreaking open house. They emphasize strategic communications, core mission messaging, and celebrating membership milestones. The document recommends starting to engage owners from the beginning by communicating benefits of ownership and seeking ongoing input through activities like potlucks, store design sessions, and a local food photo contest. Ongoing communication, managing expectations, educating owners, and continual engagement are important for keeping owners involved.

1. Membership Growth &
Ongoing Engagement
Kaye Kirsch

2. Kaye from
the Co-op
• From ND, but new to
Fargo
• Nonprofit and Project
Management Background
– Healthcare access in East Africa
– Extreme poverty in India
– Project management in the
start up tech industry
• Broad operational skillset
with PM orientation:
figure out the plan & do
the work

3. • Prairie Roots
Food Co-op
• Fargo, ND
• Opened July 2017

4. Ownership
Growth at Prairie
Roots

5. Owners ARE your co-op
• Growing Ownership
• Ownership Engagement – start
up and beyond

6. Owners like
Robin!

7. And owners like Whitney

8. Growing Ownership

9. Best EVENTS for Ownership
• Co-op Ownership Launch –
66 new owners
• Earth Day – 44 new owners
• Groundbreaking Open
House on Site – 98 new
owners

10. • Multiple
Membership
Tables
• Celebrating our
local farmers

11. • Store Design Plans
and Virtual Reality
• Kids Activities –
tattoos

12. • SWAG
• Unique offerings

13. • Yard signs
• Media
• More kids activities:
coloring and
scavenger hunt

14. 50 degrees and
sunny in North
Dakota in February?!
• Media – on every
calendar, best
bets, and things to
do this weekend
list in town
• Invitations for
owners to give out
• Build a buzz
around town
• Direct Mail
• Facebook savvy:
posts, events and
social media
champions
• Owner email -
owner referral
incentives
• New SWAG this
event only
Weather – in our favor Marketing And more marketing

16. Membership Milestones & Mini-Campaigns
• 30 owners in 30 days
• All new owners this month entered
in drawing for ...
• Who will be owner 300? 400? 900?

17. June 30, 2014 - 667 owners!
We’re moving forward with finding
a site for our store

18. • Marketing savvy
• Messaging that aligns with ends
• Multi-faceted mission messaging

19. Volunteers are a secret weapon.
Take care of them.

20. Growing Ownership
Takeaways
• Do great events
• Celebrate milestones
• Core messaging and strategic
communications

21. Keeping Ownership Engaged

22. Start building
engaged, informed
owners from the
very beginning.
Become an owner
today!
PrairieRoots.Coop/join-co-op
info@PrairieRoots.Coop | 701-478-0300
Why become an owner?
Owner Appreciation Day: 10% discount for owners
the first Tuesday of each month
Monthly Owner-only specials
Save $5 on one purchase over $50 each month
($60/year in savings)
10% discount on products pre-ordered by the case
Discounts on classes and events at the co-op
Vote for the Board of Directors
Ownership of a local business dedicated
to strengthening our local food system
Plus many more benefits!
Option 1
Option 2
Option 3
$
300
$
100
$
25
Payment of $300 in full. This
option is encouraged for those
members who are able.
Payment of $100 now with
the balance of $200 due in
three months.
Payment of $25 now with additional
payments of $25 every six months
until full equity is reached.
NOTE: This is a ONE-TIME household ownership fee.
ownership flyer 4.indd 1 2/20/18 11:37 AM
NUMBEROFCO-OPMEMBERS
2010–April 2012 April 2012–June 2014 Today 3–6 Months 6–9 Months

24. Annual Meetings

25. The Power
of Potlucks

27. Owners sharing
their vision and
ideas during a
store design input
session

29. Plan for ongoing
owner engagement

30. Engagement Idea
• Local Food Photo Contest –
Details HERE – art for your
store someday, great images
for your photo archive

32. Ownership Engagement
Takeaways
• Great communication
• Manage Expectations
• Educate owners
• Seek their input in meaningful ways
• Engagement NEVER ends

33. Questions?

34. Darnell Adams
Melanie Shellito

35. Kaye Kirsch
kaye@firebrand.coop
701.630.5834
www.firebrand.coop