Cooperative History
Wheatsville Expansion Update & Pictures Our Services Contact Us/Map Community Links Deli Menu Bulk Cooking Directions Bulk Herbs Item Codes Recipes Job Opportunities NEW! Local Suppliers Cooperatives What Are They? Co-op Resources & Links Membership Benefits, FAQ How To Join Change Address Member-Owned Businesses Administation Guidelines Bylaws Board Minutes Board Agenda Map to Board Meeting Board Policy Governance 2006-07 Annual Report Kid's Page Wheatsville 3101 Guadalupe Austin TX 78705 512-478-2667 Open Daily 9 am to 11 pm	Q: How did co-ops originate? Today's co-ops are the direct result of the Industrial Revolution. The devastating toll of the Industrial Revolution spawned many radical social movements as reformers sought answers to the growing economic despair. One of these reformers was Dr. William King whose idea was to start small distributive ventures with co-op members supplying the capital. By 1830 about three hundred stores had begun under King's influence, but most were short-lived due to mismanagement. It was in 1844 in Rochdale, England, that the modern-day consumers' cooperation had its first lasting success. Twenty-eight flannel weavers registered with the Parliament under the hopeful title, "Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers." The previous year these workers had been fired and then blacklisted by their factories after they had organized a strike for better wages and failed. Now they decided that if they could not organize for better wages, at least they might organize as consumers for lower prices. It took them a year to save the necessary capital to begin the venture. Their initial goods were flour, butter, sugar, and oats. By opening membership to all who would accept the responsibility and by practicing sound management, this co-op met with lasting success. By 1900, it had 12,000 members and $1,500,000 in sales. It added bakeries, dairies, building and painting services, and a laundry and coal delivery service. In protest against the food tainting by local millers, these co-operators opened and operated their own corn mills. Later they bought and operated the very mill from which they had been blacklisted. "As the Pioneers made progress, a coherent philosophy emerged... When members exchanged money over the counter for cooperative goods, an empire was born, an empire meant to equalize, not to exploit.. Revolutions were occurring frequently, throughout the world.. While others urged armed revolt, strikes, and mass action on the streets, the cooperators were quietly building the people's business." Excerpted from Weavers of Dreams by David J. Thompson. By joining the cooperative movement, you become one of the millions of people worldwide who are working to create a more just society through a more responsible and human economic system. Q: What makes a co-op a co-op? In 1995 the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) defined the modern co-operative movement by revising the principles developed by the Rochdale Pioneers. As a member of the ICA, Wheatsville and its members have pledged their support to these standards. Cooperative Alliance Principles A cooperative is defined as an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically controlled enterprise. Cooperatives are based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity, and solidarity. Cooperative members believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility, and caring for others. Cooperatives are voluntary organizations open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination. Wheatsville does not discriminate against any one or any class. Participation as active and responsible members should be based on a clear understanding of the values for which the cooperative stands and support for these values. Democratic Member Control Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members. Men and women serving as elected representatives are accountable to the membership and have equal voting rights (one member, one vote.) At Wheatsville, the affairs of the co-op are determined by the Board of Directors which is elected by and accountable to the membership. Member Economic Participation Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their co-op. At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the co-op (e.g., our store). Members receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a condition of membership. Members allocate surpluses for any or all of the following purposes: developing the co-op, setting up reserves, benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the co-op (a patronage refund), and supporting with activities approved by the membership. Through decisions guided by the Board of Directors, Wheatsville utilizes its resources to the best and highest purposes for the benefit of the majority of the membership. Throughout its history, cooperatives have been built on the premise that capital is a servant of the enterprise, not its master. Cooperative activities are organized to meet member needs, not to accumulate capital in the hands of investors. Autonomy and Independence Co-ops are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with organizations, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their cooperative autonomy. Wheatsville is a nonpolitical organization focused on achieving our mission. To avoid becoming a lightning rod for political issues outside our mission, or becoming dependent on outside forces, the co-op relies upon itself as a self-help, self-reliant organization to achieve our mission. We support organizations which promote goals that are compatible with the co-op but we do not become dependent upon them. Education, Training, and Information Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers, and staff so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperatives. They inform the general public, particularly young people and opinion leaders, about the nature and benefits of cooperation. The Wheatsville Breeze, our membership video, this web site, and store resources are all developed and provided to offer you an education about co-ops. If co-ops are to offer a solution to many of the world’s problems, people must not only by aware of the concept, they must appreciate it and be willing to participate in it. Cooperation among Co-ops Co-ops serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional, and international structures. Wheatsville is a member of several national and international cooperative associations and we have worked together with local co-ops too: KO.OP Radio, REI, student housing cooperatives College Houses and ICC, and the University Federal Credit Union. Concern for the Community While focusing on member needs, co-ops work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies accepted by their members. Grounded in the values of social responsibility and caring for others, cooperatives strive to make contributions to realize the betterment of our society at large. Wheatsville donates regularly to and works with many nonprofit organizations that work to further the health and well-being of our community, such as the Capital Area Food Band, Caritas and the Sustainable Food Center. By practicing concern, co-ops develop, not exploit, the communities which support them. Q: What does membership entail? As an active member of Wheatsville: I agree to invest the full capital requirement in a timely manner or to pay in full upon applying the subscription fees. I agree to use the information resources provided for members, such as The Breeze, the member center and member meetings to keep myself informed. I will keep the co-op informed of my current address and phone number in order to remain on the active member list so that I receive notification of meetings, reports, election information, or offers in a timely manner. I agree that I have been properly notified if Wheatsville uses the last information I have provided. I have the right as a member-owner to vote in co-op elections. I will respect the rights and opinions of other members. I agree to abide by all decisions made in accordance with the bylaws, articles of incorporation and board policy. I understand the policies of the co-op, including those concerning member investments and refunds, are subject to change by the member-elected board of directors, and that the bylaws and articles of incorporation may be changed by the vote of the membership. I agree to abide by any such changes. Want to know more? Learn about:   How to join Wheatsville   Wheatsville's partners   Other co-operative organizations
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