Become a Member
Every member is a co-owner of the community co-operative.We are members because of our shared need for a community owned, democratically controlled non-profit enterprise to facilitate sustainable development projects in St. James Town.
Co-op Membership
Every member is a co-owner of the community co-operative.
We are members because of our shared need for a community owned, democratically controlled non-profit enterprise to facilitate sustainable development projects in St. James Town.
We share the goals:
- To develop a community co-op model suitable for a multicultural, multilingual low-income urban neighbourhood;
- To provide development support, community education & training to enable St. James Town residents to successfully run social enterprises & community projects;
- To create opportunities for green jobs and improve community health by developing resilient food security projects.
The 8 Principles of a Cooperative
- Voluntary & Open Membership
- Democratic Member Control
- Members’ Economic Participation
- Autonomy & Independence
- Education, Training and Information
- Cooperation among Cooperatives
- Concern for Community
- Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Community Benefits
- Community empowerment and mutual benefit
- Divesting from corporate food systems and attaining food sovereignty
- Access to healthy, nutritious food for the neighbourhood
- Numerous food security and wellness projects
- Incredible knowledge-sharing from each other and opportunities to learn from others’ lived experiences
Member Benefits
- The right to vote on major decisions in the Co-op and elect the Board of directors
- First access to programs, food, and employment in the Co-op.
- Higher savings in the Good Food Buying Club.
- First access to our Community Garden.
- Your very own Time Bank account and access to our Time Bank community
- Access to our Community Chat forum
- Be a part of a growing network for community empowerment and mutual benefit
- Opportunities for learning, new skills and personal growth
- Opportunities for Canadian experience for newcomers
- Opportunities to engage in local farming
Member Responsibilities
- Annual $5 Membership fee
- Respect the Code of Conduct: Respect everyone’s human rights?
- Participate in the democratic process to further the goals and objectives of the Co-op
- Be responsible to your commitments.
- Invest time, talent, and/or resources to build and sustain the co-op for ongoing mutual benefit, within your capacity.
Thrive together!
How to become a Co-op Member:
- Read and sign our code of conduct
- Fill out and submit our membership form
- Attend an info session or talk to a Coop member
- Pay the Annual $5 Membership fee