You don’t have to be a member. By shopping at the AMHC farmers market and eventual market house, you are contributing to a member-owned business that supports local, organic and natural growers, local artisans and crafters and provides jobs and services that stay within our community.
While absolutely anyone can shop here. a grocery co-op is nothing without its members. Literally. A grocery co-op democratically represents the needs and wishes of its members (you) and forms a powerful economic force in its community. This "democratic capitalism" allows members to support local farmers and artisans, provides jobs to Northside residents and returns, when profitable, a portion of store earnings back to the membership itself. This helps to create a thriving economy, flowing in and out of the co-op's doors.
Economic Development - As a
foundation for local Northside economic development the AMHC,
acting as a market house is required to look locally for its
products before securing products externally. AMHC supports and
assists the growth and restoration of Northside small businesses
like bakeries, greenhouses and artisan food producers.
If you aren't a member of AMHC Cooperative, take a moment to
look at the benefits of belonging to our cooperative. Joining
just takes a few minutes but the benefits of a state of the art
market house cooperative will have substantial economic and
quality of life benefits to our Northside communities.
Sustain the AMHC Twilight
market by shopping weekly at the market. The Twilight Market is
the primary vehicle for the membership drive. It is critical
that we as a community prove to our artisan producers and
farmers and our funders that we can support and sustain a
market. AMHC is working hard to bring the very best food
products to our community and setting the stage for building the
Northside Market House.
Benefits of being an owner member
- Community Ownership – owner members have a say in how the business is run. Community ownership preserves and celebrates what is unique and local. By becoming an owner member, you are actively involved in building the economic life of our community.
- Support local farmers and producers.
- Participate in Co-op governance – A Board of nine elected co-op members represents AMHC’s members. AMHC’s Board sets policy and supervises the operations of the Co-op. Each Co-op member gets one vote. Vote for Board representatives or run for office yourself
- Member only specials
- We pass on extra savings exclusively to our members. Look
for the “Member Special” signs posted on promotions
throughout the store.
- Receive our monthly
newsletter
How to become an owner member
- Apply for membership online or at the AMHC farmers market
- Choose a payment plan that works best for you.
- You will receive your owner-member capital certificate and packet in the mail
Membership Alternatives
$100 Equity Membership
When you choose an equity membership, you are purchasing one
$100 share
of ownership in the AMHC
Owner Member Rights & Responsibilities
Owner Members are encouraged to participate in the ownership of their co-op (see the By-laws and Articles of Incorporation). Becoming a Owner Member of a co-op means accepting the rights and responsibilities of a business owner. If co-ops are to succeed, Owner Members need to understand and take their rights and responsibilities seriously.
Rights
- Elect Directors at the annual election held by ballot.
- Review reports on financial performance at the annual meeting.
- Run for a position on the Board of Directors.
- Vote on questions put before the membership by the board.
- Vote for changes in bylaws as needed to keep the Co-op current with the law.
- Attend board meetings. Meeting dates are publicized in the newsletter.
- Serve on committees established by the board.
Responsibilities
- Contribute to the Co-op’s capital. Each adult or household must purchase $100 in capital certificates
- Patronize the Co-op, give your business to your business.
- Attend annual meetings.
- Sustain the AMHC Twilight market by shopping weekly at the market. The Twilight Market is the primary vehicle for the membership drive. It is critical that we as a community prove to our artisan producers and farmers and our funders that we can support and sustain a market. AMHC is working hard to bring the very best food products to our community and setting the stage for building the Northside Market House.