What is happening with the Co-op? Are we getting closer to opening a store? Have you selected a site yet? These are very common questions we get all the time. And they are very valid questions, too!
The leadership of the Cedar Falls Food Co-op would like you to know the answers to these important questions: A lot. Yes. Not yet, but soon.
Okay, let me explain these in further detail. But first, let’s look back at a key development model that we’re using to launch our own community grocery store here in Cedar Falls:
Your Cedar Falls Food Co-op is in Stage 2 right now, and we’re gearing up for Stage 3, probably starting this fall. In that phase, we’ll select a site and launch a capital campaign to raise much of the necessary funds to open the doors.
Much of the Co-op’s progress is measured by the number of owners. We’re fast approach 530 owners, and Stage 3 begins around 600-800. So, yes, we are close to Stage 3 and thus, close to selecting a site, probably one of the most exciting milestones in our progress.
However, I want to bring your attention to the four cornerstones in this diagram—the colored boxes marked Vision, Talent, Capital, and Systems. The reality is that so much of our progress is actually taking place in these arenas…and it’s much harder to show on a timeline or goal thermometer. There is a lot of work to do in developing these cornerstones for the Co-op, and without this important work, the efforts to grow our ownership base is pointless.
The board, its four committees, and many other supporters, have been hard at work in developing the infrastructure for the Co-op to ensure it will be successful once we open.
So, what is happening with the Co-op? Let’s try this by looking at the 4 cornerstones.
VISION. The Co-ops has developed a strong mission & vision statement, one that we can use to rally support and ownership growth. And we are working on developing our values statement as well. In addition, we’ve developed our organizational goal (a 10,000-14,000 sq ft store in or near downtown…). Lastly, we are going to revisit all of these goals as we gear up for Stage 3. It will be a time for critical input from ALL the Co-op’s owners.
TALENT. Did you know that there are Co-op volunteers who have been behind this effort since the very first community meeting in September 2012? These folks are heroes to me. But as we grow and expand, we rely on new volunteers who can bring new and new talents to the table. Back in 2013 and 2014, we really needed the help of a logo designer, but now in Stage 2 we need new people with new talents. And we have been active in recruiting some amazing new volunteers! (But there’s always room for more, so let us know if you’d like to lend your skill set.)
CAPITAL. Since we won’t start on a capital campaign until we’re in Stage 3, our options for raising capital outside of owner shares is somewhat limited. And while we have secured some donations, it’s not expected of start-up co-ops to do a lot of work on raising funds until the capital campaign. However, there is a TON of work that can be done to prepare for the upcoming campaign, and I’m so pleased with all the work of our Operations Committee on getting things ready for this.
SYSTEMS. This is the big one. Each sub-step of each stage requires the development of a system. From setting up a checking account, to developing bylaws, to establishing an online documents storage site, and all the other critical steps of Stage 1, to all the latest efforts of database management, legal document preparation and more, the Co-op has spent a significant amount of time in building a solid foundation for the business. Next month I’ll be sitting in on a conference call about the steps we’ll need to take to recruit and hire a general manager. The work in developing the “behind the scenes” of the Co-op won’t quit until we open our doors!
So, hopefully that answers your questions. If not, please send me an email at tomwick@sbcglobal.net. I just might put your question—and the answer—in next month’s column!
In cooperation,
Tom Wickersham