The Co-op Food Stores

added 02/21/08

Join us on Sunday, April 27, for delicious desserts and fascinating presentations and conversations! The Hanover Consumer Cooperative Society’s Annual Meeting is shaping up to be one of the most important gatherings we have held in many years. Besides looking back at the successes and challenges of 2007, and ahead to the proposed changes to the Co-op Community Food Market, our meeting will feature keynote speaker Michael Shuman, author of The Small-Mart Revolution: How Local Businesses are Beating the Global Competition.

Worldwide evidence shows that local ownership is a fundamental building block of long-term prosperity. By supporting local entrepreneurs, a community can help ensure its future economic security. Locally owned businesses recycle more money within their own community; are more responsive to their employees and their environment; and generally foster positive social, environmental, and economic outcomes.

The title of Mr. Shuman’s book may give the impression that, to survive, local businesses must wage constant battle with corporate Goliaths, but that is not the case. He writes, “What the Small-Mart Revolution is for is more important that what it is against. The Small-Mart Revolution aims to improve the prosperity of every community, here and abroad, by maximizing opportunities for locally owned businesses. [It] means doing more of what we already know how to do pretty well.”

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear-and share ideas with-a leader in the field of locally based economic development and to learn why supporting our locally owned businesses is the best thing we can do for the long-term health of our Upper Valley community.

Save the Date!

The Co-op’s Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, April 27, 2008, at Hanover High School.

The event will begin at 5:00 p.m. with a scrumptious dessert buffet and the opportunity to converse with your fellow Co-op members, the Board of Directors, and Co-op staff. Drawings of the new Co-op Community Market on Lyme Road will be on hand, as well as other displays of interest to Co-op members.

Presentation of the annual Allen and Nan King Award for Community Service, honoring a Co-op member nominated by his or her peers, will inaugurate the business meeting. Reports from the Board President, the General Manager, and the Co-op’s Treasurer will follow, with announcement of the patronage refund for fiscal year 2007. Candidates for the three open seats on the Board of Directors will be introduced, and Co-op members will have a chance to share your thoughts and ideas with the Board of Directors.

At 7:30, keynote speaker Michael Shuman will take the microphone for an hour and a half of interaction with his audience on the topic of maximizing opportunities for locally owned businesses and the future of our communities.

Co-op Annual Meeting

Sunday, April 27, 2008
Hanover High School
41 Lebanon Street
Hanover, NH

• Dessert Buffet and Social: 5:00-6:00 p.m.
• Business Meeting: 6:15 p.m.
• Allen and Nan King Community Service Award Presentation
• Introduction of Candidates for Board of Directors
• Keynote Speaker Michael Shuman: 7:30 p.m.