1. What is CGIN?
CGIN is a new association formed to help retail food co-ops share information and resources. Given the increasingly competitive climate all food co-ops operate in, it's our hope that such an organization can help maximize our collective resources and keep us, as independent groups, from being put at a competitive disadvantage. Our mission statement says our purpose is:
To strengthen all retail food cooperatives by creating community and facilitating the sharing and development of resources among members.
2. How was CGIN started?
The idea for CGIN was initially spawned by a group of co-op leaders based in the Twin Cities (Dan Foley, Bill Gessner, Gail Graham, and Alan Mathewson). This group wanted to set up a "low-overhead organization that cranks out products, not studies." A meeting at CCMA '97, attended by approximately 60 cooperators, was held to discuss the idea and to solicit support. Following that, 35 organizations contributed over $11,000 to help finance the organization's planning. Paul Cultrera was hired to develop the organization's business plan; he received invaluable assistance from his colleagues at Cooperative Development Services (CDS), Marilyn Scholl and Bill Gessner, and the University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives. Based on the strength of that plan, the NCB Development Corporation provided a generous grant to help finance the organization's start-up expenses.
3. How does CGIN work?
CGIN is a non-profit membership organization with two categories of members. Primary members are retail food co-ops that are members in good standing of the National Cooperative Business Association (NCBA)or the National Cooperative Grocers Association (NCGA); only primary members have voting rights in CGIN. Associate membership is open to any other non-retail professional association or individual engaged in professional support of food co-ops that is interested in supporting the aims and purpose of CGIN. Associate members must be and remain members of NCBA and pay annual dues to CGIN: $350 per organization; $150 per individual.
4. What services does CGIN offer?
CGIN currently offers three services:
Through the materials exchange, CGIN members can exchange all sorts of resources. To prevent these materials from being shared with non-members, CGIN members select a login name and password when they join. This allows co-ops to share these proprietary items without concern that they might be used by potential competitors or non-members.
5. What materials are available through CGIN?
To begin with, CGIN provides some basic information of value and use to all food co-ops -- members or not. These pages, labeled "Public Resources" on our web pages, cover such topics as information about cooperatives, information about food co-ops, resource organizations for food co-ops, how to start or operate a food co-op, co-op wholesalers and suppliers, and selected Cooperative Grocer articles online.
In addition, CGIN provides secured-access web pages to help facilitate the exchange of resources among food co-ops. The availability of these materials depends on CGIN's members' willingness to share resources. Members needing a particular item are encouraged to post a message to the organization's listserve (all members are required to be subscribed to the listserve) requesting samples or ideas. An index of materials provided by co-ops is provided on CGIN's web pages -- listed by topic, by title, and by name of contributor. Organizations contributing materials may set any price they would like for the materials they contribute. Most items are available for free; where the contributor wishes to charge users for materials, CGIN collects 25% or $5, whichever is higher, to cover distribution and operating costs.
The kind of materials available through CGIN is only limited by what members are willing to share. The types of items members have expressed interest in sharing and accessing include such things as: advertising copy and graphics; newsletter articles; training materials; informational brochures and consumer education materials; deli recipes; job descriptions and organizational charts; board policies and organizing documents (Articles and bylaws); membership brochures and materials; evaluations or research on equipment such as POS systems; public information campaigns on current issues of concern to co-ops and natural food customers; and others.
6. How much will this cost?
CGIN operates in a direct charge system. Members pay annual fees based on CGIN's financial needs and plans. Members have access at no charge to all items offered for free by contributors. In 2008, the annual fee for retail co-ops is $200. Associate members pay annual dues of $350 for organizations and $150 for individuals. Items for which the contributor is charging a price are clearly marked; members will be sent an invoice.
7. What does it take to join CGIN?
Interested potential members only need to submit a membership application with the appropriate payment. Verification of current membership with NCBA or NCGA is required to process a new member application.
8. How does a Co-op go about submitting material for exchange?
Members can now submit material through the online posting form. Please note when an item is copyrighted. Submitted items need to be approved by the CGIN office prior to being posted.
9. Who can I contact for more information?
Contact the CGIN office at 866/709-2667 ext. CGIN, or at P.O. Box 399; Arcata, CA 95518.
10. Who is on the Board of directors and how can I contact them?
This information can be found on the List of Board Members page.