The co-op relies upon its members to perform the tasks that keep our doors open. We invite you to join us if you have the time, energy and willingness to pitch in and help.

Please carefully consider whether you truly could honor a commitment of 24 hours a year.

If your "plate is already full" owing to employment, school or family obligations, consider joining as a Non-Working Member at an additional $10/month, payable annually or semi-annually (details below). You get to shop at Member prices without having to work 24 hours a year.

Or, simply shop on Tuesdays, when members of the public get an automatic 10% discount on all purchases. No muss, no fuss, no timekeeping -- for you or us.

We'd rather have you as a satisfied shopper than an "un-cooperative" member.

Honest.
 

• Generous discount on all purchases to members in good standing (i.e., those whose fees are paid up and whose work commitments are being fulfilled in a timely manner).

• Subscription to The Grape Vine, SCFC's monthly newsletter.

• Invitation to SCFC's annual business meeting the first Monday evening in May - a casual, social event.

• Voting privileges in co-op matters.

• Commitment to work a total of 24 hours each year (2 hours per month) either in the co-op during business hours or performing a specified task off-site or after hours.

• The co-op's Job Scheduler arranges with members to work their hours in the store. Each member's work schedule is recorded on their card kept in the file box at the register.

• Should an emergency arise, telephone the store to speak with the manager on duty to reschedule your shift. Don't you just hate being left in the lurch? So do we!

• When you complete your work shift, have the manager on duty note the hours worked and initial and date your schedule card.

• Typical tasks: packaging, weighing and pricing bulk items, light duty stocking of shelves, checking expiration dates, cashiering, housekeeping, taking cardboard to the recycling center, performing inventory.

• Please note that the Sussex County Health Department prohibits food handling by minors.

• For safety reasons, the co-op does not allow children to work in the store.

• Discount privileges are revoked if obligations are not honored.

New Members

• First-year Working Member dues are $30 per household per calendar year. Please drop by the co-op in person to fill out the paperwork.

• Non-Working Members pay an additional $10/month ($120 annually) in advance and are relieved of the work requirement.

Payment may be in full (total of $150 on or before January 15) or in two installments ($90 on or before January 15, and $60 on or before July 15) .

Working Members in good standing may renew during the first two weeks of January at $20/year.

• Kindly fill out and sign the renewal form (printed in the October, November and December issues of The Grape Vine) and drop it off at the store along with your check or money order for $20 no later than January 15.

• Oops! Missed the January 15 renewal deadline? You'll have to re-join at $30. Renew promptly and save yourself $10.

• Working Members who have not fulfilled their work commitment can buy their way back into the co-op's good graces by renewing as Non-Working Members and paying the full amount ($140) on or before January 15. The Non-Working Member fee is non-refundable.
 
When they have worked their promised 24 hours, they can apply the $120 Non-Working Member fee to purchases at the co-op.
 
• A renewing Non-Working Member in good standing has the choice of making either:

 
one payment of $140 on or before January 15
or
one payment of $80 on or before January 15 and one payment of $60 on or before July 15.