How to join the Co-op

Joining the Co-op is simple. Just ask any staff member for the signup form, and they’ll guide you through the process. Alternatively you can download and print it yourself and bring the completed copy in to the Co-op. Either way, the whole process takes less than five minutes.

When first joining, many members pay a one-time equity deposit of $100 (or $150 if signing up for our special “Household” membership), payable in full or in quarterly installments of $25. This equity deposit supports the Co-op’s infrastructure and long range goals, and is 50% refundable should you decide to leave the Co-op.

For students and for others who cannot afford this monetary equity investment, we offer an alternative called “Sweat Equity”. Under Sweat Equity, you can permanently satisfy the Co-op’s equity investment requirement through volunteer labor instead of through capital investment. Not everyone qualifies for this program, so check the details here.

Either way you join, membership earns you at least a 5% discount on all items from the store and café. But you can raise your discount as high as 25% by becoming a regularly scheduled volunteer. Just drop an email to gstcoopvolcoord@gmail.com with your scheduling requirements, and we’ll do our best to find you a work shift.

If you’re able to commit to 24 hours per month (6 hours per week) you’ll earn a 25% discount on all items from the store and café. For a lesser commitment of 8 hours per month (2 hours per week), your discount earned will be 15% instead.

No matter how you join, one year after signing up, and each year thereafter, there is a $20 renewal fee ($30 for Household members) to help cover administrative costs.