We’re getting ready to make our co-op dream a reality and we need YOU to make it happen…

Below we have listed specific critical needs – both in terms of position title and skills. If you are interested, contact our volunteer coordinator. Our current and very critical need is for committee members and board members (9 – 15). Although all are strictly unpaid, volunteer positions, it’s possible that paid employees (or even our general manager) could eventually be sourced from these members. We are looking for Committee Members to have one or more of the skills noted under the various committees and one or more of the four W’s: Work, Wisdom, Wallop, and Wealth…

Committee Positions

Every committee will need a chairperson and members. Do your skills and/or interests fit into one or more of these committees?

If you are interested in lending us a helping hand and think you’re a fit for one of the committees listed below, contact our volunteer coordinator.

Committees currently include but are not limited to:

Leadership Committee

Responsible for nominating board members and also for ensuring the necessary skill sets exist within the co-op structure of Board Members, volunteers and staff. Requires recruiting and people management skills as well as attention to time lines required within the proposed by-laws.

Marketing Committee

Responsible to establish the Doylestown Co-op  brand and identity and develop the communications and educational materials to support that. Members of this committee should have one or more of the following skills (in abundance):

• Able to generate and implement ideas which bring people to our table with energy and enthusiasm
• Able to write copy which does the same
• Ability to develop collaborative communications and partner with other non-profit and educational organizations as required

Fundraising Committee

Responsible for creating and implementing the programs and events to raise capital for the co-op.  This committee’s first primary effort will be the Membership Drive Launch Sub-Committee, the May event at which we will begin our public membership drive at the County Theater.  Members of this committee should have one or more of the following skills (in abundance):

• Event management and organizational skills to pull together many elements of the puzzle
• Willingness to collaborate with marketing
• Creative fund-raising skills
• Researching and writing of Grants and proposals
• Ability to communicate to the general public
• Time and enthusiasm – to go door to door and hand out materials…. to sit at informational venues and solicit membership – to assist with town hall or other gatherings – to ask permission to post materials – to staff fund-aising events

Location Committee

Responsible for identifying and acquiring, with full support of the Board, retail space for store operations. Members of this committee should have one or more of the following skills:

• Ability to understand and negotiate real estate
• Knowledge of zoning regulations and variances, access, etc.
• Time and access to appropriate information

Membership Committee

Responsible for working with existing Membership to  “rally the troops” to become the volunteer “hands” required to implement the marketing plan, fundraising strategies, dissemination of educational materials and other volunteer opportunities. Members of this committee should have one or more of the following skills:

• Enthusiasm
• Organizational Skills
• Time and enthusiasm – to go door to door and hand out materials, to sit at informational venues and solicit membership – to assist with town hall or other gatherings – to ask permission to post materials – to staff fund-raising events
• Willingness to become knowledgeable about our Co-op and its impact on our community

Operations Planning Committee

Responsible for planning and implementing the detailed operational elements of the co-op.  This broad and critical committee requires varied skill sets, including:

• Retail experience – grocery experience would be very helpful
• Understands inventory, purchasing, daily operations, etc.
• Understands customer interaction and customer needs
• Management of the ongoing operations of a business to ensure continuing improvement
• Knowledge of local farming community
• Legal understanding of co-op laws and regulations in Pennsylvania (or ability to get that and implement it)
• Knowledge of and ability to ensure Compliance of appropriate government regulations relating to the store

Finance Committee

Responsible for establishing and maintaining financial controls and for managing the finances for the co-op under the direction of the Treasurer.  Skills include:

• Knowledge of basic bookkeeping/cash-flow/ banking
• Ability to research existing co-op systems and make appropriate recommendations
• Ability to help define our financial systems within the structure of the proposed by-laws

Information Technology Committee

Responsible for the ongoing maintenance and development of our website and internal and external communication via IT. Please note that we currently have these skills, but are interested in identifying additional individuals to support our IT volunteers.

• Software and web design
• Social networking