Title
Proclamation for Co-op Month 2017
Memorandum
PROCLAMATION
Co-Op Month
October 2017
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, Cooperative businesses are operated according to the Rochdale Principles, recognized and used by co-ops throughout the world, which include: Voluntary and open membership; Democratic member control (1 person 1 vote); Members’ economic participation (limited return on investment, rebates in proportion to usage); Autonomy and independence; Education, training and information (for members and the general public, about the benefits and practices of cooperation); Cooperation among cooperatives; and Concern for community; and
WHEREAS, There are 48,000 cooperative businesses in the United States, serving their 120 million members in nearly every sector of the economy, including, but not limited to: agriculture, finance, child care, energy, housing, food, education, retail, and more; and
WHEREAS, There are cooperative businesses throughout Ann Arbor, including, but not limited to The Inter-Cooperative Council of the University of Michigan, Forest Hills Cooperative Housing, Arrowwood Hills Cooperative Housing, Colonial Square Cooperative; Pinelake Village Cooperative; Ann Arbor Cooperative Nursery, 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, October is Co-op Month, first so designated in 1948 by the Minnesota Association of Cooperatives and celebrated by co-ops throughout the United States as a time to honor the service to their members and their communities provided by cooperative businesses.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Christopher Taylor, Mayor of Ann Arbor, Michigan, on behalf of the City Council and citizens 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 month of October as “Co-op Month” in the City of Ann Arbor.
I hereby set my hand and seal
This 16th Day of October 2017
Christopher Taylor
Mayor of the City of Ann Arbor