CASHIER (Male, Canadian): Welcome to Higgs Co-op. What can I do for you today?

CUSTOMER (Female, Canadian): I actually just moved to this area of the city and my friend…well, my neighbour, actually…told me about your co-op.

CASHIER: Uh-huh.

CUSTOMER: I’ve never belonged to a co-op before, so I’m not sure how it works.

CASHIER: Ah, OK. Well, um, I guess first is to understand that unlike normal grocery store businesses, a co-op is owned by its members.

CUSTOMER: You mean, as opposed to by a single person or business?

CASHIER: Kind of. A regular business can be owned by several people as well, but a co-op is owned by the people who shop there.

CUSTOMER: Oh, I see. But how is it managed, then?

CASHIER: Co-ops have Boards of Directors, and the Directors are elected by the members. So, it’s a democratic process. Each member has one vote. And the Board of Directors makes decisions about what is sold at the store, how it is run…things like that.

CUSTOMER: That’s really interesting.

CASHIER: Yeah, I think it’s pretty cool. It gives a community more control over what is offered to them in terms of products and services.

CUSTOMER: But do regular members get to attend the Board of Directors’ meetings as well?

CASHIER: Oh, definitely. Anybody is welcome. I guess each co-op is different, but ours has monthly meetings that are open to the members.

CUSTOMER: Huh. And anyone can become a member?

CASHIER: Absolutely. Well, as long as you’re able to purchase shares in the co-op.

CUSTOMER: What if a person can’t?

CASHIER: At co-ops, people who aren’t members pay more for their products than people who are. So anyone can shop there, but you’ll save a lot if you choose the membership option.

CUSTOMER: But if you purchase shares in a business, that means you are like an owner. Do you get a portion of the earnings, then?

CASHIER: Sort of. If the co-op is doing well, the amount that members pay for their products decreases. So you don’t get a check or anything, but you do get a distribution of the earnings.

CUSTOMER: It definitely sounds like something I’d like to be a part of.

CASHIER: Great. Should we do your application now?

CUSTOMER: Yeah, why not? What do I have to do?

CASHIER: First thing is to fill out this application. Then you’ll need to choose a payment plan for your shares.

CUSTOMER: How much does it cost?

CASHIER: Members have to purchase a minimum of eight shares. Each share costs, um, $10. So that’s $80 in total.

CUSTOMER: For the year?

CASHIER: Right. And you can pay all at once, or buy two shares every three months.

CUSTOMER: I’d rather just pay all at once.

CASHIER: Sure.

CUSTOMER: Credit card OK?

CASHIER: Yes. Cash or credit is fine.

CUSTOMER: So in exchange for purchasing the shares, I get discounted goods.

CASHIER: Yep. But that’s not all you get. As a new member, we have several coupons we’ll give you for some of our more popular products…uh, mostly stuff in the kitchenware and organic beauty product sections.

CUSTOMER: Cool.

CASHIER: You’ll also receive 10 percent off all classes offered at our co-op.

CUSTOMER: Classes?

CASHIER: We offer cooking classes, soap-making classes, nutritional workshops...a few different classes each week. Tonight there is an informational workshop on natural cleaning products for your home.

CASHIER: That sounds wonderful! Can I join?

CUSTOMER: Sure, since you are becoming a member today. What’s your name? I’ll register you in the system for the event.

CASHIER: Cassy Schneider.

CUSTOMER: Can you spell that last name?

CASHIER: S-C-H-N-E-I-D-E-R.

CUSTOMER: All right. I’ll sign you up for the class while you fill out that membership form.

Answers

1. D

2. G

3. C

4. E

5. B

6. eight

7. $10

8. cash or credit

9. 10 percent

10. natural cleaning products