Bylaws are the owner’s manual for a cooperative. They define how the cooperative functions, including membership requirements, voting procedures, and the roles and responsibilities of the board of directors and management.

Read our Bylaws here.

The Hanover Consumer Cooperative Society (Co-op) is central to a well-nourished community that:

1. Has food and product access for all community members based on their needs and wants, including foods and products that are sourced or produced:
   • Locally
   • Ethically
   • Sustainably
   • By businesses owned by underrepresented populations
   • By businesses that value the well being of their employees
   • Healthfuly
   • Fairly priced
2. Has access to services that support all community members based on their needs, including transportation needs.
3. Participates in a vibrant cooperative ecosystem.

Our vision is a well-nourished community cultivated through cooperation.

Cooperative Values, as defined by the International Co-operative Alliance, are a set of fundamental principles that guide cooperative businesses and organizations. These values include self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity, and solidarity. In addition, cooperative businesses also adhere to ethical values such as honesty, openness, social responsibility, and caring for others.

In addition to the Cooperative Values that cooperatives worldwide adhere to, the Co-op Board established additional values for our cooperative in 2023. They are:

EMPLOYEES

We value the well-being of our employees and their families. We prioritize the well-being of our employees and their families by providing comprehensive support, fostering a healthy work-life balance, and promoting professional development opportunities.

COMMUNITY

We value a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community. We are dedicated to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community by actively engaging with individuals from different backgrounds, advocating for equal opportunities, and fostering an environment of respect, acceptance, and belonging.

LOCAL

We value a resilient local food system and economy. We actively contribute to a resilient local food system and economy by sourcing locally, supporting local producers and businesses, and collaborating with community partners to ensure sustainable and thriving local ecosystems.

ENVIRONMENT

We value being a regenerative business with a positive environmental impact. We promote environmental stewardship through sustainable practices and active investment in initiatives that have a positive and measurable impact on the environment.

Cooperatives around the world operate according to the same set of core principles, adopted by the International Co-operative Alliance. Cooperatives trace the roots of these principles to the first modern cooperative founded in Rochdale, England in 1844. These principles are a key reason that America’s electric cooperatives operate differently from other electric utilities, putting the needs of their members first.

The 7 Cooperative Principles

1. Open and Voluntary Membership
Membership in a cooperative is open to all people who can reasonably use its services and stand willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, regardless of race, religion, gender, or economic circumstances.

2. Democratic Member Control
Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions. Representatives (directors/trustees) are elected among the membership and are accountable to them. In primary cooperatives, members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote); cooperatives at other levels are organized in a democratic manner.

3. Members’ Economic Participation
Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative. At least part of that capital remains the common property of the cooperative. Members allocate surpluses for any or all of the following purposes: developing the cooperative; setting up reserves; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the cooperative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership.

4. Autonomy and Independence
Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organizations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control as well as their unique identity.

5. Education, Training, and Information
Education and training for members, elected representatives (directors/trustees), CEOs, and employees help them effectively contribute to the development of their cooperatives. Communications about the nature and benefits of cooperatives, particularly with the general public and opinion leaders, help boost cooperative understanding.

6. Cooperation Among Cooperatives
By working together through local, national, regional and international structures, cooperatives improve services, bolster local economies, and deal more effectively with social and community needs.

7. Concern for Community
Cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies supported by the membership.

Owner Linkage Committee members outline ways and methods to communicate with and hear from Co-op owners. Got ideas? Reach out to us.

DATE: 3rd Tuesday of Each Month
TIME: 4:30 PM

CHAIRPERSON: Eileen O’Toole

Our board members focus on the governance of the organization, leaving operations to Co-op management. Governance committee members meet regularly to review board policy.

DATE: First Tuesday of Each Month
TIME: 6 p.m.

CHAIRPERSON: Conicia Jackson

A co-op’s bylaws function like an instruction manual that outlines the rules and procedures for how the co-op operates. Committee members review our bylaws on a regular basis for potential amendments.

TIME: 6:30 p.m.

CHAIRPERSON: Eric Deluca