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Mountain Community Co-op Strategic Planning
In 2007 the Mountain Community Co-op received assistance for organizational and infrastructure planning and development from the Northwest Cooperative Development Center (NWCDC) through a USDA Rural Cooperative Development Grant. With some assistance from NWCDC, the MCC Board of Directors, led by facilitator Bryan Bowden and financial specialist Betsy Harris, completed a Strategic Plan that includes an updated vision and mission, defined goals, strategies and actions to be taken within the next five years, and associated business and financial plans. The Strategic Plan will improve our ability to manage and prioritize goals and endeavors, promoting maximum use of available resources. USDA Rural Cooperative Development Grants are made for establishing and operating centers for cooperative development. Their primary purpose is to improve the economic condition of rural areas through the development of new cooperatives and to improve the operations of existing cooperatives.
Vision and Mission and Goals, Strategies and Actions are posted.
Member Survey
Vision and Mission and Goals, Strategies and Actions are posted.
Member Survey
As part of the strategic planning effort, a membership survey was conducted to better understand who are members are and what are the most important actions the Co-op should focus on for the future. The survey results tell us that the co-op’s members are primarily women over 40 years old. Generally women do the households shopping. Though members are typically doing the shopping for a small family, they are using the Co-op very little.
A majority of the members who responded to the survey say they shop at the Co-op one to three times a month and are only spending somewhere between $50 to $100 per visit. Although the respondents of the survey indicate they value supporting the local economy and often shop locally, very few are using the Co-op more than once a week. The main reasons indicated for members shopping elsewhere were for a better range of goods, prices and convenience. Members suggested changes like: longer more consistent hours, a wider selection of items and a bigger store might encourage people to shop at the Co-op more.
A majority of respondents said they either never use the buying club or purchase through the buying club less than two times a year. Less than a fourth spend over $100 for each order. Members indicated that being reminded about ordering would help them use the buying club more often. Some felt a more streamed lined, efficient and easier to follow process would be helpful.
Just under half of the respondents would like to see a paid manager with other staff volunteering. There was a clear contingent who expressed the opinion that the co-op should continue to use volunteers only. A strong sentiment cautioned that raising prices to pay for a store manager should only be considered as a last resort. Almost all respondents thought the way to raise money to pay for management should come from increasing volume.
The survey showed that many members are willing to volunteer but their time is limited. Suggestions were to organize a volunteer system and scheduling options with an inventory of members’ skill sets and times available. There were also members who said they would offer services that could be done from home.
Just over 70% of all responders indicated that the co-op should continue to grow. There were concerns voiced about creating a better organized business and be financially stable before the Co-op expands.
When asked about the Washington Street property, most thought the store should either move or expand to include the property. Members often indicated they would like to see a larger store with more fresh produce and larger selections. The focus of any new changes for the Co-op should be based on the promotion of health and nutrition.
The Strategic Planning team and the MCC Board of Directors is using the information gained in the membership survey to address the issues, with a particular emphasis on membership suggestions for improvement. The entire results of the membership survey are summarized below in the attached .pdf document.
A majority of the members who responded to the survey say they shop at the Co-op one to three times a month and are only spending somewhere between $50 to $100 per visit. Although the respondents of the survey indicate they value supporting the local economy and often shop locally, very few are using the Co-op more than once a week. The main reasons indicated for members shopping elsewhere were for a better range of goods, prices and convenience. Members suggested changes like: longer more consistent hours, a wider selection of items and a bigger store might encourage people to shop at the Co-op more.
A majority of respondents said they either never use the buying club or purchase through the buying club less than two times a year. Less than a fourth spend over $100 for each order. Members indicated that being reminded about ordering would help them use the buying club more often. Some felt a more streamed lined, efficient and easier to follow process would be helpful.
Just under half of the respondents would like to see a paid manager with other staff volunteering. There was a clear contingent who expressed the opinion that the co-op should continue to use volunteers only. A strong sentiment cautioned that raising prices to pay for a store manager should only be considered as a last resort. Almost all respondents thought the way to raise money to pay for management should come from increasing volume.
The survey showed that many members are willing to volunteer but their time is limited. Suggestions were to organize a volunteer system and scheduling options with an inventory of members’ skill sets and times available. There were also members who said they would offer services that could be done from home.
Just over 70% of all responders indicated that the co-op should continue to grow. There were concerns voiced about creating a better organized business and be financially stable before the Co-op expands.
When asked about the Washington Street property, most thought the store should either move or expand to include the property. Members often indicated they would like to see a larger store with more fresh produce and larger selections. The focus of any new changes for the Co-op should be based on the promotion of health and nutrition.
The Strategic Planning team and the MCC Board of Directors is using the information gained in the membership survey to address the issues, with a particular emphasis on membership suggestions for improvement. The entire results of the membership survey are summarized below in the attached .pdf document.
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MCC SurveySummaryAlAndComments.pdf (Adobe Portable Document Format - 227k)
posted by Tahoma07 May 25 2008, 6:55 PM EDT
MembershipSurveyResultsMay2008
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