The Power of the Rogue Co-ops

I regularly write about the credit union difference and how Rogue Federal is a not-for-profit cooperative financial institution. Rogue Federal is rooted in the cooperative ideals of self-help and caring for our community. In 2012, cooperatives from around the world are joining together to celebrate the International Year of Cooperatives. The Ashland Food Co-op, Grange Co-op, Medford Food Co-op, and Rogue Federal Credit Union have formed a unique coalition of cooperatives, Rogue Co-ops. We are poised and ready to celebrate the theme "Cooperative Enterprises Build a Better World," and focus on the concept of cooperatives putting people first, innovating to meet member's needs, and providing local service while being part of a global network.

Together our cooperatives employ nearly 600 people in Southern Oregon and Northern California and serve nearly 90,000 members. Combined, your Rogue Co-ops donated nearly a quarter of a million dollars to a variety of community service organizations, charities, and events in our community in 2011. This is a powerful group led by volunteer boards that live and work in our community and are truly invested in making Southern Oregon a better place to live.

Cooperative enterprises really do build a better world and we are proud to celebrate them over the coming year. By joining together, Rogue Co-ops are supporting a business model that promotes the fullest possible participation in the economic and social development of all our local communities. Darren Davidson, Director of Retail Operations of Grange Co-op, recently stated that, “Grange Co-op, and our local cooperative friends, provides a cooperative alternative, for rural and urban folds, when doing business locally in Southern Oregon!” Cooperatives are a major factor in economic and social development around the world and contribute to the eradication of poverty. The great thing about being a member of your local Co-op is that you are an owner. You have a say in who runs the organization and the opportunity to serve as a volunteer leader. Cooperatives are “conceived, built, owned, and operated by the community for the community”, says Emile Amarotico, General Manager of the Medford Food Co-op. When you become a member and patronize your local Co-op you take an important step in creating a sustainable Southern Oregon economy.

Please join us in celebrating the International Year of Cooperatives by joining one of our local Co-ops today… heck join all four of them and make Southern Oregon even stronger! I want to leave you with this thought from the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, as we celebrate the bright future for cooperative enterprises…

“Co-operatives are a reminder to the international (and local) community that it is possible to pursue both economic viability and social responsibility.”