Willy Street Co-op Policies

Purpose

To inform our customers of boycott actions pertaining to products offered by the Willy Street Grocery Co-op (WSGC).

Guidelines

WSGC is a consumer co-op; our products are selected based on our understanding of our customers' interest. Should a product or products we offer be the focus of a recognized boycott action, we will post signage informing customers of that action. A thirty-day comment period will begin at the time of the posting. At the end of the comment period, WSGC will use the input to decide what action to take.

Boycott

WSGC will recognize boycotts called by reputable and informed organizations. At this time, those organizations include the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Family Farm Defenders, United Foods and Commercial Workers (UFCW) and the Wisconsin Green Party.

Boycott Outcome

WSGC will post comments contributed to the boycott and a statement of what actions have been taken at the end of the thirty-day period.

The Williamson Street Grocery Co-op is, and will remain, an economically viable and environmentally sound business cooperatively owned by its owners; its primary mission, as expressed in article 1.1 of our bylaws, is to operate a retail grocery store that forms a cornerstone of a vibrant community.

To evaluate progress towards these ends, the Board shall monitor whether;

Policy A1:

Owners make informed choices about food, agricultural practices, environmentally sound practices and the cooperative movement.

Policy A2:

Owners have a sense of Williamson Street Grocery Co-op (WSGC) community and realize the responsibility of ownership.

A2.1 Owners participate in decision-making.
A2.2 Promote owner involvement.
A2.3 Celebrate, educate, and promote community.

Policy A3:

WSGC is a cornerstone of a vibrant economically and environmentally sound community.

A3.1 Local farmers, manufacturers and distributors work in partnership with WSGC.
A3.1.1 Foster local production of goods, including food.
A3.2 Other businesses and co-ops link with WSGC to improve services.
A3.3 Persons of all ages and economic groups view the Co-op as an important resource for their well-being.

Policy A4:

Workers participate in management, work in a humane environment and are recognized and rewarded as being fundamental to a thriving community.

A4.1 Become an employer of choice in Madison, WI

Policy A5:

The Co-op pursues growth and expansion opportunities that meet the long-term needs of its owners and workers.

A5.1 Grow and link neighborhood grocery co-ops.

Policy A6:

Board and management commit to ongoing system improvement.

A6.1 Make healthy, timely decisions.
A6.2 Best operational practices are identified and implemented.
A6.3 There exists a systems approach to sustainability.

These policies statements shall be reviewed at each board meeting, and the GM shall provide a monitoring report in February.

Adopted by action of the Williamson Street Grocery Co-op Board of Directors on October 12, 2002.
Amended by action of the Williamson Street Grocery Co-op Board of Directors on February 8, 2003.
Amended by action of the Williamson Street Grocery Co-op Board of Directors on April 4, 2005.

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Willy Street Grocery Cooperative supports providing opportunities for not-for-profit organizations (501(c)3) to network with our community on Co-op property.

The following is required to table on Co-op property:

1. Individuals working or volunteering for the approved organization are requested NOT to directly approach people entering into or out of the Co-op or in the Co-op’s parking lot. A display with materials about the organization’s goals or relevant materials and staffed with the organization’s representatives is suggested. Representatives of the organization or others present with the organization are also requested to refrain from wearing any political or religious messages or endorsements while tabling. Aggressive canvassing or “hard-sell” tactics are never allowed and may result in a suspension of that organization’s privilege to table on WSGC property.
2. Willy Street Grocery Co-op is comprised of over 28,000 individual owners. Therefore, politically partisan or religiously affiliated tabling is excluded from this privilege. However, all other 501(c)3 organizations are encouraged to apply.
3. Organizations interested in tabling at Willy Street Co-op East are required to pre-arrange with , at 608-251-6776 and organizations interested in tabling at Willy Street Co-op West are required to pre-arrange with , at (608) 284-7800 to confirm date, time, and availability.
4. Those who are NOT eligible or approved to table on Co-op property are encouraged to canvas on the public sidewalk in front of the store.
5. The selling of any items in front of the store for a not-for-profit organization must be approved by the Cooperative Services Manager and will be determined on a case-by-case basis.