Volunteer Opportunities Abound at the Co-op

Thursday, 01 March 2012 13:30

By Alexis Alexander,

Membership Manager

If you've been thinking about volunteering at GreenStar, you couldn't pick a better time! We currently have a wide variety of in-store (discount-earning!) super-worker and member-worker opportunities available, and Council and GreenStar Community Projects are looking for meeting-minded (and discount-earning) volunteers.

Why volunteer?

Volunteering is an important Co-op tradition that provides member-owners the opportunity to become actively involved in supporting the Co-op's mission. It's a great way for us, as member-owners, to connect with one another while supporting the business that we mutually own and help govern. Volunteering also provides a great member-owner benefit, earning each participant a higher discount at the register.

What is the commitment?

Super-worker opportunities: We ask for a six-month commitment for super-worker shifts. Super-workers are given a two-hour weekly assignment in a specific department at the same day and time each week. For every two-hour shift worked, they receive a 17½ percent discount, good for one week.

Member-worker opportunities: This is a more flexible way to volunteer, by simply being on the on-call list for member events and for the monthly 10 on the 10th sale. Every two-hour shift you take on will provide you with a 10 percent discount for four weeks. The 10 on the 10th shifts include bagging and attending the parking lot, while event shifts include set-up, clean-up, serving food and other tasks. While a monthly shift is not guaranteed, being on the on-call list works well for any member-owner who cannot commit to a weekly shift.

Council and GreenStar Community Projects opportunities: There are three options in this category. Council Member-at-Large Committee Members attend a monthly two-hour committee meeting and receive a 10 percent discount for four weeks. Council members serve for terms ranging from one to three years. Their work involves at least ten hours of work per month attending and preparing for meetings and special events, working on projects, and speaking with members. GreenStar Community Projects Board members make an eight-hour commitment per month involving meetings and administrative work. Both Council and GSCP Board members receive a 17½ percent discount during their terms of office.

How to volunteer?

All available super-worker and member-worker shifts are posted at the Member Center in both the West-End and Oasis locations. To request a super-worker or on-call member-worker shift, simply choose one or two shifts on the board that work for you and fill out a Member Labor Request Form. You will receive a call from the relevant store, depending on which shifts you sign up for. We fill super-worker shifts on a first-come, first-served basis; it's a good idea to request more than one shift since others may be in line before you for a given shift.

If you're interested in becoming a Member-at-Large committee member, fill out the Council Committee application available at the Member Center and return it to the Customer Service Desk at the West-End store. A member of Council will contact you about your application.

If you'd like to be a write-in candidate for Council, you can pick up a candidacy packet at the Customer Service Desk at the West-End store. The deadline for write-in candidacies is the end of March. Applications for the GreenStar Community Projects Board of Directors are available at the Member Center at the West-End store.

NOW'S YOUR CHANCE.

If you would like to become more actively involved in your co-op and further support GreenStar's mission of promoting sustainable, healthy food, living wages, social and environmental justice and a strong local economy, check out the Member Center board soon!