Title
Proclamation for International Year of Cooperatives
Memorandum
PROCLAMATION
International Year of Cooperatives
February 2012
WHEREAS, Cooperatives are a unique form of collaborative business where members own, use, and run their own businesses not for profit, but for the collective good of members; and
WHEREAS, There are 30,000 co-operatives in the United States that own more than $3 Trillion in assets, and generate over $500 Billion in revenue and $25 Billion in wages; and
WHEREAS, There are cooperative businesses throughout Ann Arbor, including, but not limited to The Inter-Cooperative Council (ICC) of the University of Michigan; Forest Hills Cooperative Housing; Arrowwood Hills Cooperative Housing; Colonial Square Cooperative; Pinelake Village Cooperative; Ann Arbor Cooperative Preschool; Stone School Cooperative Nursery; First United Methodist Cooperative Nursery; University of Michigan Credit Union; Huron River Area Credit Union; and the People's Food Co-op; and
WHEREAS, The United Nations has declared the 2012 "International Year of the Cooperatives" to promote the cooperative model and build the capacity of cooperative organizations worldwide.
NOW THEREFORE, I, John Hieftje, Mayor of Ann Arbor, do hereby officially honor the cooperative businesses that serve the Ann Arbor community, and encourage city residents to explore the benefits available through cooperative businesses by proclaiming the year of 2012 as International Year of Cooperatives in the City of Ann Arbor.
I hereby set my hand and seal
This 6th day of February, 2012
________________________
John Hieftje, Mayor