Welcome !
Congratulations! You just purchased equity in a local business that is truly rooted in the community. You’ve joined the growing ranks of over 130 million Americans that belong to cooperatives. Welcome to the Co-op. It’s yours! By joining Mountain View Market, you’ve become a Member/Owner of the biggest and best natural foods co-op in southern New Mexico. As a Member/Owner you have access to us, the Board of Directors, that sets and monitors the policies by which the Co-op operates. Our monthly meetings are held in the MVM Administrative Offices (just south of the main store), usually from 5:30 to 8:30pm on the fourth Wednesday of the month. Check the Board of Directors Minutes posted on the front bulletin board for the updated meeting time and place. The first portion of each meeting is reserved for a Member Forum, and we welcome visits from our fellow Member/Owners to hear your concerns! At our Annual Member Meeting, ALL members are invited to gather, eat, drink, and conduct important Co-op business; such as amending our By-laws, electing new directors, and otherwise carrying out our full roles as Member/Owners in the cooperative. The Annual Member Meeting is held on a Saturday evening in April. Please check for signage at the Co-op, notices in the Mountain View Market Newsletter, or on our website (below) for the exact date and time. Find out more about the duties of the Board of Directors and how to get involved at
www.mountainviewmarket.coop
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Our Ends The Mountain View Market Cooperative exists to promote a healthy, conscious, sustainable, and empowered community • The community benefits from outreach, support, and education • The Co-op provides information and access to healthy food and health products • The Co-op models sustainable living • The Co-op reflects inclusivity and diversity • The Co-op is a viable alternative economic model based on cooperative principles and values • The Co-op supports local and regional production and encourages a diverse food system Thanks and welcome to the CO-OP! In Cooperation, The Mountain View Market Board of Directors E-mail: canton49@hotmail.com What is a CO-OP? In short: The members own the business and the profits belong to the community. It is owned and democratically controlled by its members - the people who use the cooperative’s services or buy its goods - not by investors. A cooperative returns a portion of its profit to its members proportionate to their use of the cooperative, not proportionate to their ownership share. (See Patronage Rebate on pg. 3!) A cooperative business is motivated by its service to their members, not by profit. Vision Statement The Organ Mountain Cooperative* is the leader in creating an environment which empowers people to make choices for good health. Mission Statement The Organ Mountain Cooperative* promotes good food, good company, and good health for all. Staff Mission Statement: We are diverse in our backgrounds but united in our goal to serve and empower local and global communities and increase the quality of life for all. Value Statement The Organ Mountain Cooperative* values: • The cooperative principles • The contribution and creativity of our co-workers • Service and mutual respect of our owners, customers, co-workers, suppliers, and community • Whole, natural, organic, and chemical-free products • Honesty and integrity in all our actions • Community involvement in a socially and environmentally responsible manner *Organ Mountain Cooperative doing business as Mountain View Market
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What Is a Membership? You now own part of a share in our company. Our shares are sold in $20 increments. A full share is $205. Once your balance reaches $205, you are a lifetime member. You may choose to pay all at once or take the usual route and pay your membership in installments of $20 over the course of 10 consecutive years. Just remember, if you skip a year’s payment, you have to start over again from the beginning, so make sure to renew your membership. It’s only 5 cents a day! Member Only Sales Each month, we offer items that are on sale for members only. Look for the black and white tags that say “Member Sale”. Member Appreciation Days Member Appreciation Days occur the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month (unless it falls on a holiday). Members receive a 5% discount on all non-sale items, and a 10% discount on bulk orders. Check the calendar on page 10 for this year’s dates. Patronage Rebate The more you spend, the more you earn back! Since we are a member-owned business, a portion of our profits is returned directly to our Member/Owners each year. How it works: 1. Each time you shop at the Co-op, we track your purchases under your member number. 2. At the end of the fiscal year, we calculate our net profit for the year. Some of this profit is used to make improvements to the store, invest in new equipment, give raises to employees, etc. Then, our Board of Directors determines an amount to set aside for the patronage rebate. This money is given back to all of our Member/Owners as an in-store rebate. The rebate amount you receive is a percentage of what you spent at the Co-op throughout the year. Therefore, the more you spend, the more you earn back. In the last four years, we’ve given back over $360,000 to our membership! Savings on Classes! We offer a great variety of community classes and workshops each month, and members always receive a discounted admission. We Co-operate! Program Local businesses offer discounts and specials to Co-op members. (See pg. 11 for more info!) Vote! Our cooperative is a democratically run business. Each membership is entitled to one vote. Every year in April, we hold our annual elections at our Annual Member Meeting. This is your chance to vote for members participating on the Board of Directors. You can also provide us with your valuable input in our Annual Member Survey, and the Board uses this information to make decisions about long-term goals for the Co-op. Want to take your participation one step further?.... Run for the Board! As a member, you can run for the Board of Directors. Board members serve a voluntary 3 year term. The 3 year cycles are staggered, so every year there is at least one opening.
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Some Quick Tips To Increase Your Patronage Rebate: • • •
Pay with cash. Charges on debit and credit card purchases eat into our net profit, meaning there is less left over for our members at the end of the year. If you don’t have cash, choose credit—it’s cheaper for us than debit. Bring your own bags. Even though we charge our customers for new bags, we charge less than they cost us. Over the course of a year, those bags really add up! Plus, you are helping to reduce waste by reusing your own! Tell your friends about it! The Patronage Rebate comes from member sales only. The more members we have shopping here, the more money will be in the rebate pool at the end of the year.
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Getting to know your Co+op E v er y D ay Lo w Pr i c e
Our Every Day Low Price program is a great way to save money on staple items. Everything from cleaning supplies to cereal and milk are included. Look for the green price tags that say “Every Day Low Price”.
C O+ OP Deals
Through our nationwide partnership with hundreds of other cooperatives, we negotiate great deals from our suppliers. Each month, we feature an A and B cycle of sales items. Pick up a sales flyer in store or online (www.mountainviewmarket.coop/ news/image-galleries/sales-flyers) and keep an eye out for the green and white tags that say “Co-op Deals”.
H o wG o o d
HowGood is a third-party rating system used to evaluate the food products that we carry. Each item is evaluated in 3 categories: Environmental Impact; Social Responsibility; and Product Integrity. In their own words, “HowGood allows shoppers to go beyond advertising and purchase products that are best for their health, society, and the environment.” This doesn’t mean a product with no score is bad; it is simply a way to highlight the companies that go above and beyond to bring you a really exceptional product. Our Produce department uses a different categorization process. Our tags are color-coded for Organic, Local, or MVM Farm produce (see next page for more info on our Farm initiative).
Fai r Tr ade
Fair Trade is an economic model that ensures producers receive fair prices for their goods. Independent third party verification is required to use the Fair Trade logo. Look for this label on coffee, chocolate, sweeteners, teas, and more.
N on GMO Pr oject
Labeling is not required when companies use GE (genetically engineered) or GMO (genetically modified organisms) ingredients in their products. The NonGMO project was created as a way for companies to ensure consumers that they do not use GMOs in their products. A third party verification process takes place before companies can use the label on their products. Learn more at nongmoproject.org.
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Or g an ic
Organic products are those grown without the use of harmful chemicals or pesticides. In addtion, genetically engineered seeds cannot be used to grow organic food, so all Certified Organic products automatically fall into the non-GMO category. All of the fruits and vegetables in our produce department are either Certified Organic, Locally Grown, or from our very own MVM Farm. Look for this label on foods and body care products:
Gl u t e n -Fr e e
Each year we see more and more community members affected by gluten sensitivity and Celiac disease. It can be challenging to transition to a new diet, so we make gluten-free product identification easy. Just look for the orange price tags for a quick reference.
O nli ne O r de r s + G r ocer y Deliv er y
We make shopping even easier with online ordering. Shop in your pajamas! Shop for your friends! Place your order online, and we’ll get it ready for you to pick up in-store, or we’ll deliver it right to your doorstep. Great for those days when you are tight on time or sick at home with a cold. You can even order groceries for someone else and surprise them with delicious organic goodies. Call us at 575.523.0436 or visit our website for more info: www.mountainviewmarket.coop
MVM Fa r m
In October 2011, Mountain View Market took a big step in our commitment to local, sustainable agriculture. We started leasing 2.5 acres in the Mesilla Valley, where we grow a variety of organic and heirloom crops. The farm incorporates systems such as on-site composting, crop rotation, cover-cropping, drip irrigation, vermiculture, aquaponics, and more. The farm produce is available for purchase in-store and at the Ardovino’s Farmers’ Market every Saturday in Sunland Park. Look for these MVM Farm tags in the produce department. For more information or to get involved, contact us at mvmoutreach@gmail.com or 575.523.0436.
MVM Ki t c he n Our Kitchen has two locations: One right in the Co-op on Idaho Road, and one located downtown at 120 S Water Street. We offer a rotating selection of over 70 made-from-scratch items in our Grab n Go case, many of which are gluten-free, soyfree, or vegan. We also offer made-toorder sandwiches, salads and wraps. Our Kitchen uses over 70% local and organic ingredients and serves up locally-roasted espresso drinks as well as organic juices and smoothies. Call us at the store 575.523.0436 or at the Downtown Kitchen 575.556.9856 6 for more info.
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The Co-operative Priciples These are the 7 Cooperative Principles upon which our business is founded: 1. Voluntary and Open Membership - Cooperatives are voluntary organizations, open to all people able to use its services and willing to accept the responsibilities of 2. membership, without gender, social, racial, political, or religious discrimination. 3. Democratic Member Control - Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members—those who buy the goods or use the services of the cooperative who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions. 4. Members’ Economic Participation - Members contribute equally to, and democratically control, the capital of the cooperative. This benefits members in proportion to the business they conduct with the cooperative rather than on the capital invested. 5. Autonomy and Independence - Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If the co-op enters into agreements with other organizations or raises capital from external sources, it is done so based on terms that ensure democratic control by the members and maintains the cooperative’s autonomy. 6. Education, Training, and Information - Cooperatives provide education and training for members, elected representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperative. Members also inform the general public about the nature and benefits of cooperatives. 7. Cooperation among Cooperatives - Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional, and international structures. 8. Concern for Community - While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of communities through policies and programs accepted by the members.
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Tips for Thrifty Shopping •
Do your big shopping on Member Appreciation Days. Members earn a 5% discount on all non-sale items and a 10% discount on bulk orders. See a full calendar of Member Appreciation Days below.
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Bring your own bags. Each time you shop and remember your reusable shopping bags, we add a punch to your Remember Your Bags Card. When it fills up, you get a 10% discount on any one item
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Buy in bulk. Items in our bulk bins often cost less than their pre-packaged counterparts, and you can buy exactly the amount you need. Plus, bring in your own container and cut down on waste. (Just remember to weigh your empty container at the register before you fill it up.)
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Going through a lot of something? Order a case! Members receive discounted pricing on cases, and you’ll never run out of your favorite items at home again!
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Start a Buying Club to save even more! If you go through a lot of bulk items, we offer deep discounts for bulk orders of $250 or more. They are great for staple items like beans, rice, olive oil, toilet paper etc. You can even order cases of fresh produce. Ask for a buying club info sheet or talk to one of our friendly employees at the Courtesy Desk for more information. Get your friends to sign up with you. It’s kind of like starting your own cooperative!
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Don’t see what you’re looking for? Try a Special Order. Through our distributors, we have access to tens of thousands of items, of which we can only carry a fraction in our store. If we don’t carry your favorite product, just ask! We may be able to order it just for you.
Member Appreciation Days 2013-2014 Members receive 5% off all non-sale items and a 10% discount on case orders! Every first and third Thursday of the month (unless otherwise noted in case of a holiday) 2013 September 5th and 19th October 3rd and 17th November 7th and 21st December 5th and 19th 2014 January 2nd and 16th February 6th and 20th March 6th and 20th April 3rd and 17th May 1st and 15th June 5th and 19th July 3rd and 17th August 7th and 21st September 4th and 18th October 2nd and 16th November 6th and 20th December 4th and 18th
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We Co-operate! Program Strengthening the small, locally-owned business community in Las Cruces Think local first! Our We Cooperate business partners offer discounts or special services to Co-op members. Call one of these local businesses today to learn what benefits they offer you! Also, visit our website at www.mountainviewmarket.coop/content/we-co-operate to see a current list of businesses and the discounts they offer. Interested in adding your local business to the program? Please contact our Outreach Department at 575.523.0436 or mvmoutreach@gmail.com Acupuncture Crossroads Community Acupuncture 312-6569 American Sign Language Sandi Zielinski MA, LPC 202-4076 Animal Care + Services Anthony Animal Clinic (915)886-4558 The Agile Animal 649-3193 Art Galleries The Potteries 524-0538 Auto Repair German Auto Repair 382-9705 Bakery Let Them Eat Cake 649-8965 Chiropractor Chiwawa Chiropractic LLC 520-2318 Hawkins Chiropractic Care 520-6002 Clothing + Textiles A Perfect Fit Clothing Alterations 523-2565 DJ’s + Entertainment Hubbard Family DJs (617)733-3466 Fitness Services Gold Medal Taekwondo 526-4429 Tai Chi 526-0977 Tranquility Fitness Studio 571-8446 Gardening + Landscaping Natura LLC 805-6559 Picacho Peak Trees 571-0195 Health Products/Services Alpha Center for R&R 621-3195 A Next Step 382-8771 Beyond Envisioning LLC 571-1345 From the Ground Up 523-2652 Full Circle Health Center 525-3700
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Health Products/Services (continued) Kari Hinojosa, Weight Management 525-1384 Ruth Romo, Family Nurse Practitioner 525-3700 Tesoro Integrative Health Center 541-5660 Timi Agnew, Sound Healing Therapy 520-4477 Transformational Light Designs 233-1108 Counseling/Hypnotherapy Integrity Counseling 373-1163 Jane Grider 526-5620 Phoenix Transformational Services 382-2078 Homeopathy Katherine Hannan 647-3744 Wendy Robin Weir 650-7543 Jewelry Elkin Studio Jewelers 568-6828 Healing Crystal Jewelry 520-4477 Riffraff Jewelry (805)559-3476 Massage Therapists Let It Go Massage Therapy 640-1591 Marie Mathewson, PhD 915-2155 Patricia Gray, Body Synergy 636-3456 Pecan Valley Massage, Sue Styer 647-4468 Vincent J. Ortega 642-3157 Midwives All Natural Birth 636-4627 Heather Rische 743-0439 Solar Power Positive Energy Solar 524-2030 Sunspot Solar Energy Systems 541-3533 Tarot Reading Linda Marlena Carr 312-3040 Self Defense Innovative Defense Strategies 405-4917 Las Cruces Self Defense 621-0230 Yoga Downtown Desert Yoga 647-9642 Yin Yoga (805)559-3476
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Legal Stuff Your Privacy Our Governance Policy States: “The General Manager shall not make any individual member or customer data available outside the co-op except for the purposes of law enforcement and fraud prevention, and only with appropriate confidentiality measures.” Membership Equity When you sign up as a member you are beginning a subscription toward owning a share of stock in the Market. Your $20.00 annual equity payment is due during the month in which you first signed up, and each payment brings you one step closer to owning a full share in the Co-op. Once you have paid your $205.00, you own a full share of stock for life! If your annual payment is more than 30 days past due, your equity may be debited from your account. This means you lose your balance toward a full share and have to start over again from a zero balance. In other words, don’t be late! We call our members one month before your membership is up for renewal. If we cannot reach you, we will send a postcard to the address we have on file. This is one reason it is important to notify us of any changes to your phone number or address. Ultimately, it is up to you to renew your membership on time. If you have any questions about your equity, our friendly Customer Service staff will be happy to help! Just stop in the store or give us a call at 575.523.0436. Membership Withdrawal Full membership equity at the Organ Mountain Cooperative d.b.a. Mountain View Market is refundable at the Board’s discretion. We can only make a refund for the par value of a single “B” share of stock. Member Equity Refund information is available at the Customer Service Desk. It could take up to eight weeks for a Member Equity Refund to be approved by the Board and payment processed and sent out. Articles + Bylaws As a cooperative business, MVM is subject to the laws of the State of New Mexico and federal government tax codes. We are organized under cooperative law, which makes us different from both non-profit organizations and typical profit-driven businesses. These laws recognize cooperatives as businesses that exist to serve their members, rather than to maximize profits for investors. The Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws are on file with the New Mexico Public Regulatory Commission. They can be changed by vote of the membership of the cooperative, as recommended by the Board. Through the Board of Directors, the members are responsible for seeing that the cooperative is run in accordance with the law and the Articles and Bylaws.
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Board Of Directors: Roles & Responsibilities Board Member
Term Expires
Board Member Since
Paul Heiberger, President
2016
2010
Claudia Piper, Vice President Carolyn Gressit, Secretary Stella Field, Treasurer Karen George Randy Harris LoriKae Schwab Hollis Train Caitlin Karrenberg, Employee Board Member
2014
2008
2016 2015 2016 2015 2014 2014 2015
2009 2012 2013 2009 2008 2012 2013
Contact the board directly at canton49@hotmail.com The Board is responsible for ensuring effective and fiscally sound programs, policies, and operations by providing leadership, advice, and direction to the management of the Co-op on behalf of the owners. The three primary responsibilities of the board are: 1. To ensure sound management of the Co-op’s resources, 2. To set long-range goals and to ensure planning for the future, and 3. To act as trustees on behalf of the members. Directors are expected to act in good faith, in a manner they reasonably believe to be in the best interests of the cooperative, recognizing that individual members may come and go, but the cooperative must continue to serve the community that uses it. To fulfill these responsibilities, the board of directors must focus on four key areas: 1. 2. 3. 4.
Hiring, supervising, and evaluating the Co-op’s manager Planning for the Co-op’s future and approving management’s plans Approving capital and operating budgets, and Recruiting new directors to ensure a well-qualified board.
Other decisions regarding the mechanics of the Co-op’s governance system, development of policies and guidelines, the specifics of member benefits, and related matters also fall within the job of the co-op board of directors. The Mountain View Market Board of Directors holds regular monthly meetings and special meetings as needed. Agendas, minutes, and the board calendar of meeting and event dates are posted on the Board Bulletin Board in the front of the store. Eight directors are elected directly by the Member/Owners and serve staggered three-year terms. One staff director is elected by the employees. Only member-owners of the cooperative can serve on the board. Interim board members are appointed to fill vacancies until the Board election which takes place each year during the months of April and May. Individual directors do not direct the operation of the store, supervise staff members, or speak for the cooperative as a whole, except when the board has authorized a member as spokesperson. They exercise authority only as a group. For more information on becoming a 14 board member contact the Board President at canton49@yahoo.com.
F AQ s - frequently asked questions Am I the only one who can use my membership? Anyone in the household is welcome to shop under your membership! However, voting privileges and patronage rebates are only issued to the person who is the account holder of the membership. One membership = one vote. We keep it democratic! Can anyone in my household use my Patronage Rebate? Normally, we only allow the main contact on the membership to redeem the Patronage Rebate. If you want others in your household to be able to use it, just let one of our friendly Customer Service employees know. We’ll make note of it on your account. Why do you charge for bags? In 2010, we made the decision to charge 5 cents per bag at the register. We do this as a way to encourage shoppers to reduce waste by bringing their own bags. Each bag costs us between 8 and 11 cents to purchase, so we are only passing on a fraction of the cost to you. What happens if I move? Please notify us as soon as possible if you change your address, phone number, or email address. This ensures that your membership remains active and we can remind you when it is up for renewal.