What is a Co-op?
On the surface, co-ops may look like any other business, but it’s what goes on behind the scenes that makes the difference. Along with a Mission, Oryana operates in accordance with Cooperative Principles (see below) and Six End Policies. The Cooperative Principles ensure all owners have a say in the decisions the business makes and the Six End Policies help guide everyday decisions. Under these principles and policies, a co-op returns surplus revenue to its owners and the community, rather than rewarding outside investors with profits.
So how does this all work financially? The capital the co-op uses to help support its existence comes from yearly ownership equity investment, which are the fees from the yearly ownerships you purchase. Owners contribute equitably to, and democratically control the capital of their cooperative. This equity investment is refundable to owners who choose not to continue their ownership. If the cooperative experiences a good financial year and the Board and GM do not foresee a need to reinvest the money back into the co-op, then a portion of an owner’s purchase is returned to them. When we say it’s your business, we mean it!
The decision-making power in a co-op belongs to the owners, rather than a minority of corporate shareholders. To ensure this democratic control, Oryana is governed by a board of directors, elected from the general ownership for three-year terms. These elections are held at the annual General Ownership Meeting that usually takes place in April. Board positions are open to all owners in good standing as per our bylaws, and all owners have equal voting rights.
Owners who serve on the board are accountable to every owner. Owners (via the board and special votes) actively participate in setting policies and making decisions for the organization. Open board meetings are held monthly. Dates, times and locations are posted at the co-op prior to all meetings. A co-op isn’t a co-op without the voices of its owners, so your input is always welcome and encouraged.
The Cooperative Principles
Cooperatives are based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity. In the tradition of their founders, cooperative members and owners believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility and caring for others. The cooperative principles are guidelines by which cooperatives put their values into practice. The International Cooperative Alliance recognizes Seven Cooperative Principles. In December 2024, the Oryana Board passed a resolution to recognize and adopt the Eighth Cooperative Principle: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
- Voluntary and open membership: Cooperatives are voluntary organizations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination.
- Democratic Member Control through the elected Board of Directors: Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions. Men and women serving as elected representatives are accountable to the membership. In primary cooperatives members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote) and cooperatives at other levels are also organized in a democratic manner.
- Member Economic Participation: Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative. At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the cooperative. Members usually receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a condition of membership. Members allocate surpluses for any or all of the following purposes: developing their cooperative, possibly by setting up reserves, part of which at least would be indivisible; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the cooperative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership.
- Autonomy and Independence: Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organizations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their cooperative autonomy.
- Education, Training and Information: Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their co-operatives. They inform the general public – particularly young people and opinion leaders – about the nature and benefits of co-operation.
- Cooperation Among Cooperatives: Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures.
- Concern for Community: Cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies approved by their members.
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Cooperatives believe we are stronger when a proactive effort is put forth to engage everyone in governance, management and representation.
Owner Benefits
Our co-op wouldn’t exist without our 11,000+owners. To show our appreciation and ensure your co-op meets your needs, we offer these benefits to all of our owners. Becoming an owner is easy and your benefits begin immediately; including a new member 10% discount to use on a full transaction whenever you wish!
Shopping Benefits:
Anytime Discount
Once you become an owner you can take 5% off six transactions of your choosing every year. Have family coming over? Refilling the fridge after a long absence? It’s a great time to use your benefits. It’s up to you when you choose to save!
Owner Discount Events
Four months out of the year, owners can save 10% off of one transaction of their choosing. This year’s Owner Appreciation Months are: February, May, September and December.
Pre-order Discounts
Buy a case of your favorite product and save 10-25%. Only our owners are eligible to receive our pre-order discount on special orders of large quantities or specialty products. Check with Customer Service for more details.
Patronage Rebate
When business allows, Oryana may choose to refund a percentage of the purchases you made at the co-op back to you at the end of the year. It’s the cooperative way of supporting our owners who in turn support their co-op. You can read more about the patronage rebate below.
Class Discounts
Sign up for any in-person cooking class and get $5 off the registration fee.
Local Benefits:
Local Like You Mean It
Co-ops, by design, are local entities. Oryana supports local growers, buys from local producers, provides a model workplace for our community and has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to local organizations. Your ownership ensures that your dollars get reinvested back into the community you love so much.
Community Partner Discounts
The co-op has some of the coolest friends. Your owner card is your ticket to extra savings at dozens of area businesses.
Other Benefits of Ownership:
Active Governance
Oryana takes ownership seriously. The co-op exists solely to fulfill the wants and needs of our owners, which means you have a voice. As an owner, you will elect Oryana’s Board of Directors and help to set the direction of Oryana for years to come. As an owner, you may also run for the board yourself.
Community
There’s over 11,000 Oryana owners who make caring and thoughtful decisions with their resources. You can learn more and connect with your co-op community in different ways:
- Fresh Press: Our seasonal digital magazine with the lastest news, recipes, info from management and the board of directors and more.
- Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter so you don’t miss any great co-op events, activities, discounts, or classes.
- Attend the annual General Ownership Meeting. We come together once a year to share a meal, hear the latest news from the co-op and elect new board owners.
*Note: The co-op is a living, thriving cooperative business. As such, benefits are subject to change. If such changes occur, ample communication to owners will be provided.
More about Patronage
Co-ops are distinctive businesses based on ownership, which allows them to return excess profit to their owners as tax-free rebates. These rebates are called “patronage rebates” because they are based on how much owners “patronized” or spent at the co-op the previous fiscal year. By law, patronage rebates can only come from owner income (not non-owner purchases) and be allocated based on each owner’s purchases (patronage) at the co-op. The profit returned to owners as rebates are funds not needed for new owner services or future projects.
Throughout the year the co-op tracks how much each owner spends, which is why we ask for owner cards at checkout. Generally, if the co-op has made a profit in excess of what it needs to operate, it may return a percentage of that profit back to its owners. The Board of Directors, utilizing the General Manager’s recommendation, determines what percent of the profit will be returned to owners and what percent is retained by the co-op.
The co-op needs to retain some of the profit as a financial cushion for lean years or to finance expansion or other owner services. Although owners do not receive this profit as a cash rebate, they, in effect, jointly invest more money to grow the co-op and provide more of the services they want. There may be years when no patronage is returned due to a project or other immediate need of the co-op.
You need to show your ownership card every time you make a purchase so we can track what you have spent during the year. You will need to keep your ownership current and let us know if your address or contact information changes.
Once the fiscal year ends (December 31st) the co-op utilizes the first quarter of the following year to finalize its year-end financials and evaluate its needs, with an announcement about the patronage rebate set for the General Ownership Meeting in April.
Join the Co-op
Becoming an owner at Oryana has incredible benefits such as valuable savings all year long and a voice in your co-op’s decisions. If you would like to own part of a thriving, local business, visit us in person at our Customer Service Desk to fill out a simple form and your benefits will start immediately. And may we be the first to say, “Welcome! We’re so glad you’re here!”
Filling out this form and submitting your equity payment will make you an Oryana owner for one year from the date of submission. An ownership payment consists of a $15 equity payment and a $5 administrative fee. If at any time in the year, you wish to cancel your ownership, your equity payment will be returned to you.
Each ownership can be used by the household (meaning the benefits can be shared by those living at the same address), but each ownership receives only one vote for the Board of Directors. Partners or eligible children (aged 16 and up) in the same household are welcome to purchase their own ownership, thus receiving their own benefits and a vote.
For more information on your rights and responsibilities as an owner, you can read our full bylaws.
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