The Cooperative Grocers’ Information Network (CGIN) is a collaborative of U.S. retail food co-ops. We share information and resources and best practices to strengthen retail food cooperatives.
Thanks for your patience while we update the CGIN site. The update has been complete, though we still have a few quirks to work out.
If you notice anything odd on the site, please notify admin@cgin.coop.
Join the CGIN Listserve Advisory group!
In the fall of 2008, all CGIN listserve subscribers & members were invited to participate in a Basic Listserve survey. One of the outcomes of the survey is that the CGIN board has approved the establishment of an advisory group to pursue the creation of an Operations or Manager listserve and to provide guidance to CGIN staff in its development. This is a complicated issue, and the results from the survey show some strong polarity on the creation of this listserve.
Let Obama know: hey, what about co-ops?
Co-ops for Change!
It’s time for change! As cooperative supporters we know how to effect change – more member owned cooperatives! Our friends at the National Co-op Business Alliance (NCBA) have partnered with fellow cooperators to develop a question and post it on www.change.gov.
We’re not sure when but President Obama and his team will respond to the questions that receive the most votes so place your vote today.
Join CGIN!
Anytime of the year is a great time to join CGIN! Click on the following sections to learn more about membership benefits, the various membership levels, and answers to FAQs.
Eleventh Annual Howard Bowers Day
The education and training needs of new and expanding food co-ops. This is the focus for this year’s Howard Bowers Day.
Pick a day in October…any day…preferably a busy day!
Designate it as Howard Bowers Day!
Donate 1% of sales on that day to the Howard Bowers Fund
Give your members a chance to practice the 6th Co-op Principle:
Co-ops Helping Co-ops
Do you like to read news articles about your fellow CGIN members or food co-ops in general?
The National Co-op Bank is sponsoring production of a new quilt this year to be auctioned as a fundraiser for the Howard Bowers Fund for consumer cooperatives. The highest bidder on this new quilt will be able to make it available for display in the new co-op of their choice as a show of solidarity. NCB needs your t-shirts (or other appropriate cloth-based logo materials) ASAP. Please send two t-shirts or items to Jim Braun at NCB: 1725 Eye Street, NW; Suite 600; Washington, DC 20006 (they need two because NCB is going to make a replica of this quilt for display in their offices, too).
Hurricane Katrina Cooperative Recovery Fund
The U.S. Cooperative Development Foundationhas established a fund to provide assistance to cooperatives and their members suffering from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf Coast region. Donations can be made online, or by sending contributions to CDF made out to CDF-Katrina Fund at 1401 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 1100; Washington, DC 20005.