Owner Benefits
Wheatsville Our Services Contact Us/Map Community Links Deli Menu Recipes Rush Hour Recipes Bulk Cooking Directions Bulk Herbs Item Codes Local Suppliers Job Opportunities Donation Requests Cooperatives What Are They? Co-op Resources & Links Membership Benefits Frequently Asked Questions Joining Info Change of Address Administation Guidelines Member-Owned Businesses Board of Directors Kid's Page Wheatsville 3101 Guadalupe Austin TX 78705 512-478-2667 Open Daily 7:30 am to 11 pm Cooperative Values • Self-help • Self-responsiblity • Democracy • Equality • Equity • Solidarity • Honesty • Openness • Social responsibility • Caring for others Cooperative Principles • Voluntary and open membership • Democratic member control • Member economic participation • Autonomy and independence • Education, training & information • Cooperation among coops • Concern for community	You've invested your money, you've got your member card and now you're an owner, but what do you get in return for it? At Wheatsville, everyone who is an owner pays either an annual fee for a yearly membership or invests refundable capital for an investment membership. It is this investment or fee that makes every member an owner and the co-op uses this money to capitalize the business. In return, the co-op pledges to operate for the good of our community of members. Unlike most businesses which make decisions primarily to maximize profits, Wheatsville and other co-ops make decisions to maximize service to the members and the community. While anyone can shop at Wheatsville, as a owner you receive some unique benefits. The most important benefit is that this is our store. Because we own our store we are involved in helping to keep ourselves, our community and our co-op healthy.   As an owner you . . . Save extra with our Co-op Advantage Owners-Only Specials Specials for extra savings are offered exclusively to owners and are indicated by special signs. We also mail owners special coupon books once or twice a year. Receive our newspaper, the Wheatsville Breeze Mailed to your home seven times a year, the Wheatsville Breeze is a great place to look for news about our co-op and our community as well as information on nutrition, food and food issues, bicycling, and personal care. Archives of the Breeze are also available online. Free Business Listings Advertise your business with a free listing in our Member Business Directory. In each issue of the Wheatsville Breeze and here on the Wheatsville website, you can let other co-opers know about your member-owned business with a free listing in our directory. Wheatsville encourages co-opers to support one another and help keep our community strong by doing business with one another. Benefit from the profits made by the co-op The co-op operates to maximize the benefits we offer to our owners and our community, so while we budget to make a profit, it always goes toward improving services to you. This is different from a profit that goes towards improving the dividends paid to investors. By being responsible to our community and owners, co-ops improve the quality of life by keeping money in the community. In years when the co-op does especially well financially, we may pay a patronage rebate. Join the University Federal Credit Union Credit unions and co-ops are two peas in a pod. As organizations which are not primarily profit-motivated, both credit unions and co-ops are dedicated to providing superior service at a fair price. As a way to honor and recognize the historical and philosophical link between co-ops and credit unions, all Wheatsville members are eligible to join the University Federal Credit Union. Call the credit union at 467-8080 for more information. Enjoy a voice in your co-op's governance Our co-op is governed by a member-elected Board of Directors. They are responsible to see that the future of the co-op is secure and we are moving in the direction which will best serve the needs of the owners. Don't forget to vote! Board elections take place each fall, so learn about the candidates and then cast a ballot for your choice.
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