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Basics has embarked on a grand new adventure and became a cooperative as of January 1, 2005! This page should
answer many or most of the common questions about the cooperative. If you have any
questions that are not answered here, please feel free to
click here to send an e-mail to the general manager.
How can I become an owner of the Basics Cooperative?
Click here for a copy of the Onwership Enrollment Form. Simply print it out and bring it or
mail it to Basics Cooperative at 1221 Woodman Road, Janesville, Wisconsin 53545. You may
either send your ownership fee with the form or pay online by clicking here (just put "Basics Cooperative Ownership Fee" in the product description box).
Who's on the Board of Directors of the Basics Cooperative?
The current board members are:
Clarice Green, Footville
Jim Hutchinson, Janesville
Karin Jordan, Edgerton
Tom Peczerski, Janesville
David Roang, Evansvile
We will be having elections in the upcoming issues of The Scoop, so watch for the details if you're interested in running!
When is the next meeting of the members?
The third annual meeting of the Basics Cooperative will be held in June 2007. We will have food (including a pot luck),
entertainment, and fun, as well as a meeting. Hope to see you there.
Where can I find a copy of the Basics Cooperative Bylaws?
You can ask anyone at Basics for a copy or
click here for a copy.
Can I see the Basics Cooperative mailing online?
Sure! Just click here! Note that
it does not print out as nicely as the mailing, but all the info is there!
Why should I join the Basics Cooperative?
First and foremost, you will be able to join the wonderful Basics Family. The Basics
Cooperative owners democratically control the co-op, and you will be able to help make all
of the big decisions for the business. Here are some of the financial benefits to joining:
How much does ownership cost?
You can become an owner of the Basics Cooperative for $150. This is a one-time cost (not an
annual fee) and represents your investment in the Co-op. When you decide you do not want to
be an owner anymore, the Co-op will refund your ownership fee (subject to some limitations in
Bylaws -- see above). If you have trouble paying the ownership fee all at once, you may
pay over time, but you must pay at least $30 each year, and Basics will charge $5 service fee
each time you make a payment (after your first payment) to help defray the administrative
costs.
How many people may share an ownership?
Only members of a household may share an ownership, and only two cards will be issued per
household. You may have up to two adults and unlimited kids on a single ownership. One
person will be the primary owner. She or he will be the party responsible for the ownership
and will receive any repayment from the ownership.
What will the owner investments be used for?
Like any capital investment, the owner investments will be used for the capital needs of
the store. Initially, these investments were used to purchase the Basics business, but
in the future, these assets likely will be used to make improvements at Basics. If you are
an owner of Basics, you will be able to participate in the decisions of how to use the
member investments.
Do seniors still get any special treatment?
You bet! We hope that everyone will want to become an owner of the Co-op, but seniors that
do not want to become owners will get owner pricing (5% off) every day anyway! However, unless
they become owners, seniors will not have any of the the other benefits of ownership, including
the right to vote or the rights to get case discounts or make special orders. Whenever Basics
is having any other sale, seniors will get only the greatest discount on the sale, while owners
will get 5% IN ADDITION to any sale pricing.
Do I have to be an owner to shop at Basics?
No! Owners get much better treatment, though, owning and controlling the store,
receiving 5% off every purchase and being able to participate in all that the Basics
Cooperative has to offer.
Will the Basics Cooperative still have Super Tuesdays?
Yes! Basics has become renowned for this special monthly sale and opportunity to meet
representatives from the leading supplement manufacturers. We will still have discounts on
supplements and health and beauty products.
Will David Roang still be involved with the Basics Cooperative?
Absolutely! David became the first owner of the Co-op and is on the Board of
Directors. Here is his letter to the customers of Basics:
You have enjoyed Basics for 27 years. You have watched the business grow and flourish,
and I hope you will join me on the next great step for Basics.
I would like to invite you to become an owner of Basics.
How can you become an owner of Basics? A cooperative! A cooperative is simply a type of
business in which the ownership interests are held by the customers. It operates for the
benefit of all of its customers, not necessarily to make a profit. By joining together,
you can ensure that Basics continues to be everything you want. Basics will become a
sustainable, democratically controlled, economically fair form of business ownership.
This is not a new idea. The natural food industry is full of examples of very successful
food cooperatives, all owned and run by their customers. And, importantly to me, it is an
idea that my dad had before he died. When he knew that I would be responsible for Basics,
he asked that I pursue the cooperative future for Basics. It has taken me a bit of time to
get myself and Basics ready for the transition, but we are ready now.
I have been honored and privileged to continue my dad’s lifetime of work. With the
assistance of the Basics staff, we have made sure that Basics continues its mission of
providing quality natural foods and information. As always, your dedication and loyalty to
Basics have kept the business going strong. Please accept my invitation to participate in
this exciting new future for Basics, and we will work together to make Basics better than
ever.
Join the Basics Cooperative today!
Sincerely,
S. David Roang
What is a cooperative?
A cooperative business may be new to many of you. A cooperative is an association of
persons united to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations
through a jointly-owned enterprise.
Cooperatives are based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality,
equity, and solidarity. In the tradition of their founders, cooperative members believe in
the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility, and caring for others.
These cooperative principles are followed by co-ops around the world:
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