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 OCTOBER IS CO-OP MONTH

2010 Co-op Month
2010 CO-OP MONTH CAMPAIGN 

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FACT SHEETS
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NEWS RELEASES
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:30 PSA
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CELEBRATION IDEAS AND SUGGESTIONS

  • Join with other cooperatives in your area to run a Co-op Month advertisement in your local newspaper.
    Ads and logos can be downloaded HERE.
  • Begin now to plan a countywide Co-op Month celebration this year. Invite all area cooperatives to send representatives to an organizational meeting.
  • Designate a day to celebrate Co-op Month at your cooperative. Invite members to stop in at headquarters for coffee and cake during the day.
  • Submit an October Co-op Month news release to your local newspaper. Emphasize your cooperative’s new products or services. Also stress your contributions to the community: taxes paid, people employed, annual purchases in the community, patronage returns paid to member–users, size of members’ investment, and local economic development activities.
  • Encourage your directors and members to write letters to the local newspaper editor to tell why they belong to and use their cooperative.
  • Invite area state legislators and local public officials to tour your co-op during October. Invite the media.
  • Offer qualified speakers to discuss cooperatives with high school business classes and local civic organizations.
  • Sponsor a cooperative essay or poster contest for schools, youth groups, young co-op members, or others. Sponsor a cooperative coloring contest for younger children.
  • Appoint a youth board for your cooperative, consisting of outstanding high school students in your area; notify the local media of their appointment.

  • Use Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, blogs or other social media channels to tell your cooperative’s story. Follow Cooperative Network on Facebook for status update ideas. Go to Cooperative Network Facebook Page

  • Increase your followers on Facebook by conducting Co-op Month giveaways and contests.
  • Recognize outstanding co-op leaders or members for long-standing service or specific achievements and notify the local media of the recognition.
  • Conduct training meetings for your staff about how cooperatives are financed and operated, the role cooperatives play in their community, and any new services or products the cooperative offers to members.
    Start off by showing them this 2 minute video.
  • Be sure that all staff and board members know and understand the seven principles of cooperation, as well as how each principle is exemplified in your cooperative.

  • Launch a promotion for the month of October (discounted membership, services, products, etc.).

  • Join with other cooperatives in your area to run a Co-op education fair or tour for high school students to demonstrate the variety of cooperatives and their services in their area.

 


Modify this news release to suit your needs. It is simply a guide to help you get your co-op's name in the newspaper during October Co-op Month.

(Wisconsin/Minnesota) cooperatives have a special commitment to helping their members and their communities adapt to the times, according to (full name of manager or other co-op official) of (name of cooperative). That’s because cooperatives, unlike many businesses, are locally owned and operated. And that’s why cooperatives throughout the nation will be taking time during the month of October to promote a better public understanding of this unique form of business, (he/she) said.

(He/she) added that this year, (Wisconsin’s/Minnesota’s) October Co-op Month theme is "Local. Trusted. Serving You."

(Last name) explained that (name of co-op) has been serving the people of (name community) for more than (number) years. (He/She) said (name of co-op) has (number) members and is involved in (describe your co-op’s business activity).

A single Midwestern family may belong to a dairy marketing cooperative, a farm supply co-op, an electric cooperative, a telephone cooperative, and co-ops for food, health, housing, and day care. The family may buy Ocean Spray cranberry juice, Sun Maid raisins, and Land O’Lakes butter; purchase tools at ACE Hardware; have its accounts at a credit union; be insured through a mutual insurance company; and hear the news through Associated Press. All are cooperatively owned businesses.

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(Don't forget to include a name and telephone number
where they can get more information.)

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