Press Release Coop Month 3  
 

Contact Information:
Elizabeth Davis
Boardman Davis Communications
802-244-6425

edavis@boardmandavis.com

OCTOBER IS CO-OP MONTH


(Montpelier, Vermont)- In an effort to raise awareness on the role and benefits of co-ops in their community, Vermont’s leading cooperative businesses have come together to celebrate co-ops and their commitment to community by forming “The Vermont Alliance Of Cooperatives”. Members of the Vermont Alliance of Cooperatives include the Burlington Community Land Trust’s Cooperative Housing Program, Cabot Creamery Cooperative, Onion River Co-op/City Market, Vermont Electric Co-op, Vermont State Employees Credit Union and Washington Electric Co-op.

“Our goal is to call attention to the role that all co-ops play in Vermont and the many benefits that they offer their members,” states Roberta MacDonald, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Cabot Cooperative Creamery. “We invite all Vermont co-ops to participate as possible in this effort.”

Over 300,000 Vermonters belong to co-operatives, including food, electric, housing, agricultural and credit unions. Based on a national survey conducted in 2003 regarding the perceptions of co-operatives, respondents overwhelmingly express a preference for co-operatives believing them to be trustworthy and able to be counted on to meet customer needs.

Cooperatives are businesses that are owned and operated for the benefit of those who use its services ~ its members. For co-ops, commitment to community is what it’s all about as we serve the communities in which our members live, work and shop.
“Cooperatives represent the very essence of community and neighborliness,” states MacDonald. “It is the investment of not just money, but hard work, passion and ownership by our farmers that is the secret behind Cabot’s success. These same values and benefits are universal to the cooperative structure.”

During “Co-op Month,” several Vermont cooperatives are hosting events highlighting their work as a cooperative organization. Following are details:
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Activities of Vermont Co-ops during “Co-op Month”

Burlington Community Land Trust
Event:

Date:

Time:

Location:
 “October Co-op Gathering”

October 23, 2004

12 noon – 2:30 p.m.

Multi-Generational Center, 241 N. Winooski Ave., Burlington
Onion River Co-op/City Market
Event:

Date:

Time:

Location:

Purpose:
 Harvest Food Fair

Saturday, October 2, 2004

11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Onion River Co-op/City Market

A celebration of Vermont’s bounty and community spirit
Vermont State Employees Credit Union
  • Montpelier
  • Berlin
  • Rutland
  • Waterbury
  • Burlington
    • Purpose:






    		 Credit unions in 94 countries around the world will be celebrating their financial cooperative. Stop by one of the VSECU branches for open house festivities. A display from the American Museum of Credit Unions will be located at the main branch in Montpelier from October 18 through October 22.
    Contact Information

    Cynthia Tokos
    Cabot Co-op Coordinator
    Phone:(802)223-4884
    Email:ctokos@cabotcheese.coop

    Josh Slade
    Burlington Community Land Trust
    Co-op Housing Coordinator
    Phone:(802)862-6244
    Email:coops@bclt.net

    Rosie Gowdey
    Marketing Manager
    Onion River Co-op/City Market
    Phone:(802)863-3659 ext 216
    Email:rgowdey@citymarket.coop

    Sara Rabin
    Community Outreach and Education
    Onion River Co-op/City Market
    Phone:(802)863-3659 ext 217
    Email:srabin@citymarket.coop
    Yvonne Garand
    Business Development Officer
    Vermont State Employees Credit Union
    Phone:(802)371-5197

    Lynette Kemp
    Marketing Coordinator
    Vermont State Employees Credit Union
    Phone:(802)371-5162

    Avram Patt
    General Manager
    Washington Electric Co-op
    Phone:(802)223-5245
    Email:avram@washingtonelectric.coop


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