Membership

All are welcome! Becoming a member of the Thoughtful Foods co-op means you are joining our family. All members give what they can to make things work, and of course, get to enjoy privileges and benefits in return.

How much do memberships cost?

The $25 annual membership fees are due each February. The annual membership fee reduces to:

$20 - for members who join after June 1,
$15 - for members who join after September 1,
$10 - for members who join after December 1.

All new members will need to buy a $10 co-op share. This share is refundable and remains valid as long as the membership is active.

Therefore, a new membership purchased between February 1 to May 31 will cost $35 ($25 annual membership fee + $10 refundable share).

Discounts are not applicable to shares and membership fees.

How do I become a member?

You can become a member at the Thoughtful Foods shop. Alternatively you can apply for membership online here, or renew your membership online here. To renew, you must be an active member, meaning you paid your membership fees between 1 February last year and January 31 this year.

In order to approve your membership, all of your details must be completed. Under the Co-operatives Act, Thoughtful Foods requires you to provide a current address so that we can maintain an accurate membership register. Additionally, to fulfill our legal obligations, Thoughtful Foods requires a current email address. These legal obligations include informing members of our AGM and notifying members of their addition to the membership register. Providing a phone number means it is possible to try and remind you to pick up your veggie box if you have forgotten.

How long do memberships last for?

Memberships are active until the end of January each year. To keep your membership active you must renew it every year from February by paying the annual membership fee.

If you leave the co-op, you may request for your share to be refunded by emailing [email protected]. This requires that your membership is still active, you don't have any outstanding debts to the co-op and the share hasn't been forfeited. Share refunds must be claimed within a year and can only be transferred via EFT into an Australian bank account. Shares are non-transferable.

Unfortunately, the annual membership fee can not be refunded and there are no part-year memberships (i.e. all memberships are active until the end of January).

What are the membership benefits?

Discounts

Current members receive a 10% discount on most grocery items. The discount does not apply to reusable jars and bags, gift cards, bulk orders, veggie and fruit boxes or bread orders.

After 3 hours of volunteering, you will receive a 30% discount. This discount lasts for 7 days after the 3 hours have been completed and added to the system. Hours are logged at the end of your shift and the system is generally updated once a day on days the co-op is open.

Discounts are automatically applied on the iPad when you provide your name (so we can attach the sale to your membership record) at check-out.

Other benefits

Order organic fruit and/or veggie boxes and add-on produce
Order organic bread
Special and bulk orders for grocery items
Access to the online ordering system for veggies and bread, and weekly recipe featuring the fruit or veg of the week
Regular bulletin newsletter
Volunteering opportunities

What are my rights and responsibilities as a member?

Your rights as a member

To attend meetings, including the AGM, and take part in discussions concerning Thoughtful Foods
To receive the weekly Thoughtful Foods Bulletin via email
To learn about running a cooperative/business
To attend training sessions and workshops run by Thoughtful Foods
To volunteer at and for Thoughtful Foods
To be informed about meetings and social events
To place bulk orders, and to order prepaid bread and fruit and vegetable boxes
To suggest new products for Thoughtful Foods to consider stocking
To receive your Thoughtful Foods membership card when you join or renew your yearly membership

Your responsibilities as a member

To pay your annual membership fee in order to keep your membership active
To help facilitate the ongoing sharing of skills you learn within the co-op
To be considerate of volunteers
To ensure the co-op has your current contact details
To refrain from grazing while you are doing your shift or shopping and to pay for any spillages
To wash your hands before shopping and to use the utensils provided
To be constructive when criticising any issues or problems within the co-op, and to be prepared to take an active part in resolving the problem
To ensure you comply with the conditions of the prepaid bread and fruit and vegetable boxes system including add-ons.
To ensure you don’t conduct yourself in a manner prejudicial or detrimental to the interests and values of the co-op
To present your membership card and/or provide your name or membership number in order to receive any relevant discounts
To promptly log any volunteer hours so that the co-op has a record for insurance purposes and in order to receive the volunteer discount
To comply with policies of Thoughtful Foods as well as public health and foods safety rules

By joining or renewing your membership, you agree to the terms and conditions of membership and agree to abide by Thoughtful Foods policies.

Thoughtful Foods also runs a suspended memberships program for potential or existing members experiencing severe extenuating circumstances. For more information, to apply or sponsor a membership, contact [email protected]

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