Retailer looking for people who want to make a difference in their community
Posted by nathan lloyd | Published: 02/02/2017
Central England Co-operative has issued a call of ‘your community needs you’ ahead of its annual Membership & Community Councils (MCCs) elections.
The Society runs six regional councils across 16 counties, which are made up of Co-op members who are passionate about their community and want to make a difference within it.
Each council is given funding and support by the Society to organise activities and events ranging from keep fit and gardening to educational visits, school workshops and dance classes.
Now Central England Co-operative members are being urged to put their name forward as nominations open for the MCC elections.
Jim Watts, Central England Co-operative Society Secretary, said: “As a strong, independent co-operative business and community retailer, the participation of our members is a key point of difference that sets us apart.
“Our Membership & Community Councils allow members to join with others to make a difference in their local community whilst being supported by the Society.
“Each Council acts as a link between Central England Co-operative, its members, colleagues and their communities.
“We are looking for those who have great people skills and knowledge of their local area.
“Spending a few hours every month can make a real difference to the people on your doorstep.”
Successful members will receive an activity fee and expenses for attending meetings and events on the MCC’s behalf. Council members usually meet every other month
for two hours.
Nominations should be received by 5pm on 24 February 2016. Results will be announced following the completion of voting on Friday, 28 April.
Those eligible have to have been a full member of Central England Co-operative for at least six months, be a regular customer and spend a minimum amount per year.
More information on eligibility, the role and how to apply can be found at http://www.members.coop/elections
Notes to editors
Case study: Please see photo attached.
Selina Watts is part of one of Central England Co-operative’s Membership & Community Councils.
Here she talks about her involvement with the Co-op and her reasons for becoming an MCC.
She said: I am very lucky to have a Central England Co-op food store right at the top of the road I live on, so we usually visit two or three times a week for bread, milk and bananas.
“Over the years I have used all the main Co-op services, including the funeral service as, in 2010, we sadly lost our son to stillbirth. The funeral services were amazing and compassionate and I have the utmost respect for the job they do.
When I became a stay-at-home mum in 2014 after the birth of our second son, Henry, I became interested in Co-op membership. My husband, Simon, and brother-in-law, Richard, have both worked for Central England Co-op food stores for over 15 years, but 18 months ago Richard was elected to the MCC.
Richard started telling me about all of the projects he had taken part in and I was in awe. It all sounded brilliant; from healthy eating programmes in schools to support for the elderly, it was refreshing to hear that people wanted to be involved in their community. “With my oldest son, Oliver, starting school it seemed like the perfect opportunity to get involved.
“I became a member around four years ago and was elected to the MCC in April this year. I have supported community events, including going to Selly Oak School and working with pupils with special educational needs.
“The three MCC’s run weekly classes for members who want to get involved. Furthermore, even though I have not hosted my own presentation, I have approached my local school with the intent to work on a project for packed lunches with them, as well as the Christmas fair.”
About Central England Co-operative
Central England Co-operative is one of the largest independent retail co-operative societies in the UK. It is a modern, forward-looking organisation employing over 8,000 staff, with projected gross sales of £958million for 2016/17. The Society recently celebrated being named Leading Co-operative of the Year 2016 by Co-operatives UK. The Society’s principal areas of activity are food, funeral services, and property. Central England Co-operative has more than 430 trading outlets across 16 counties including; West Midlands, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire. The Society has an ambitious food store development programme for 2017.
Central England Co-operative is proud of its reputation for ethical business practices and corporate responsibility. It is a member of Business in the Community, the membership organisation that stands for responsible business, and has also won many business awards for excellence. The Society supports a number of charities including Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children and invests a percentage of its trading profit into local communities.
Becoming a member of Central England Co-operative offers a whole host of benefits ranging from collecting points every time you spend in store to earn a share of the profits, access to members activities and community initiatives including the Community Dividend Fund, which hands out grants of up to £5,000 to charities and good causes across the Society’s trading estate.
Find out how to become a Central England Co-operative member by calling 0800 0501 601, emailing members@centralengland.coop or visiting https://www.members.coop
For more information visit http://www.centralengland.coop follo,w Central England Co-operative on Twitter: @mycoopfood, and on Facebook: facebook.com/centralenglandcooperative
Rob Smyth – PR officer - Central England Co-operative - 01543 414140
Email – publicrelations@centralengland.coop