We’ve gotten some feedback recently on the blog that we wanted to answer so that everyone understands its purpose.

Since the early days of the Co-op, it has been a challenge to reach our members with information we thought they should have. We tried emails, we tried flyers in the store, we tried phone calls, we tried the old static website, we tried word-of-mouth, and now we are trying this blog-format website.

Blogs are like online diaries or bulletin boards. One of the advantages to a blog is that the staff can put information up whenever we have time, and you can check it whenever you have time. We don’t have to be doing it at the same time like with a phone call or face-to-face talk.

Another big advantage of the blog over emails, for instance, is that you can make comments directly on the blog (no need to go write an email) and those comments are public so they will generate other comments. The Board and the staff and the administrators of the blog can respond and a real dialogue can begin.

This allows us 2-way communication, sort of like if a group of us were standing together talking. This type of communication is really critical for us, especially now as we move into the expansion mode. We will need all sorts of talent for this project and we know that our membership is full of great talent and people of a wide range of abilities.

The Co-op is member-owned and it should involve as many members as possible. You don’t have to run the cash register to be a volunteer. There are SO many things that need to be done and so many things we’d like to be able to do that there is room for everyone.

You can participate in this – it is not a one-way street! Write comments to the blog posts, or write an opinion on something or a suggestion or tell us about something that is interesting to the members, like a news article you found on organic food or whatever. Include links to articles or even videos and we’ll put it up and give you credit.

This is your Co-op – let your voice be heard!

GO CO-OP!