Membership in the Fourth Street Food Co-op: The Fine Print

Non-Working Members pay $35 in dues annually for an 8% discount on all purchases.**

Working Members pay $25 in dues annually.** ^ Hours and discounts vary:

• Weekly: (2.25 hours per week) --20% discount
• 2+ Weekly: (signed up for and committed to work a 2.25 shift plus a 'non-traditional' shift every week, by arrangement with Membership Working Group)--25% discount
• Shared: (2 members sharing a weekly shift of 2.25 hours every week) --15% discount

* * Households pay an additional $10 per year in dues. The household will be responsible for only one shift per week/month. Any member of the household qualifies for the discount as long as the household is current with dues & shifts. ^Shift workers who perform an ongoning responsibility in addition to a weekly shift pay $10 to renew.

Member Responsibilities

1. Find work to do during your entire shift and to be aware of what's going on in the store. Though you may be scheduled in a quiet timeslot or have just arrived after a full day's work somewhere else, there's always a lot that needs to get done at the co-op, and just reading the paper or checking your e-mail & waiting for people to shop means you’re not really doing your share. A little downtime is ok, but during your shift, you should:

• · Arrive on time; sign in and out (this is important for our workers’ comp insurance)
• · Take care of the produce (keep it moist, cut ends of greens and soak for 15 min, mark down or compost unrevivable pieces and record composted amounts on “Produce Waste Form”).
• · Keep fridges, bulk bins and shelves stocked and neat:

· Check overstock for items that aren't out! This reduces over-ordering and spoilage.
· Review instructions before unpacking any deliveries & take care of paperwork. It’s also better not to start a project you can’t finish or hand off to the next shift with confidence.

• · Keep the store clean (sweep, vaccum behind bins, mop, clean sink, baskets & food utensils).
• · Ring up sales; lock the register if you’re working in another part of the store.
• · Run an 'x' tape and do a drawer count at the end of (closing) shifts.
• · Be respectful to customers and other members. No one expects you to say “thanks for shopping the Fourth St. Co-op” to everyone that comes in the door (this isn’t Walmart) , but be sensitive to questions you can answer, people who need help and members working on other co-op tasks.

2. Find your own replacement when you can't work a shift & let your partner know who will be subbing for you.

· Do not ask the Scheduling Coordinator to do this for you. This goes for extended vacations as well. Start by posting a message to our e-mail list. If you don't get a response, follow up with phone calls until you find someone.

· Do not use your shift partner as a “replacement;” it’s safer if people don’t work alone and more can get done.

· You are required to make up all missed shift(s). "Banking" shifts against future absences is ok but must be arranged in advance with the Scheduling Coordinator.

3. Pay your annual dues on time, and, of course, pay for all purchases, including food eaten while working.

NOTE: New working members are subject to a three month probation period.

We know that everyone has different strengths. Even with training, some people aren't well-matched to the requirements of regular or alternate shift work, and we have to ask them to become non-working members. You may also decide the co-op isn’t for you; in that case, please give the Scheduling Coordinator two weeks’ notice before leaving.

Grounds For Termination Of Membership

Sounds serious, and it is. But in nearly 30 years, we've only had to ask a handful of people to leave. Here are the things that just don't go:

1. Stealing of goods, cash or equipment.

2. Threatening or violent behavior toward others in the Co-op (or off-site), either verbal or physical.

3. Excessive missed shifts & failure to make up missed shifts or cover absences.

4. Consistent failure to perform shift duties competently and responsibly (see 'member responsibilities', numbers 1 & 2).

5. Failure to pay dues on time (membership will be suspended until dues are paid and reinstated when paid up).

Members who quit without adequate notice, or have their membership terminated for actions described above cannot rejoin the Co-op without a unanimous vote of the membership at a monthly co-op meeting (except in the case of #5, late or unpaid dues). Hell hath no fury like a Co-op scorned.

So What's In it For Me?

Other than the glam and glory of being part of Manhattan's oldest and only Food Co-op? Well:

1. You receive your discount as long as you are a member in good standing. (New working members receive their discount when they complete their first shift). Take the largest of whichever discount category you fit in, but remember, they aren’t cumulative. A working member ( 20% discount) who’s over 65 (8% discount) gets 20% off, not 28%.

2. You can attend Co-op meetings, place an item on the agenda and make your voice heard. Each member carries equal rights of one vote per person.

3. You can pay for purchases by check (made payable to Good Harvest Cooperative). Non-members can't pay by check. Ha!

4. Working members are entitled to 2 “vacation shifts” per year. You arrange for someone to cover your shift, but you don’t have to make the time up later. Obviously, emergencies come up, and some last more than a week. Extended leave for long vacations or those who have family to care for can be arranged, too.

If that's not enough, we'll throw in a cubic zirconia pendant or a set of Ginsu knives (while supplies last).