Membership Development

CDS Consulting Co-op believes that the cooperative difference is your competitive advantage. We help co-ops build member investment and loyalty. Effective member services and membership programs come from a thorough understanding of members’ needs and desires. Good research data about members and customers can help co-ops make strategic decisions to better service needs and build loyalty.

Every co-op needs a strong membership program that will serve the business and strengthen your co-op’s role in the community. Important to your co-op’s success are programs that promote the cooperative difference, store operations that support member equity growth, and an enthusiastic and well-trained staff. One key resource is the list of Best Practices for Membership Development in Food Co-ops.

(Scroll down to see associated newsletter articles and other resources.)

Products and Services

Member Linkages and Membership Development

• Building Member Capital and Equity
• Assess and Strengthen Membership Programs
• Membership Benefit Packages
• Membership Loan Programs
• Member Equity Drives
• Cooperative Education – Principles, Practices, Economics

Market Research

• Customer/Consumer Surveys
• Focus Group Planning and Facilitation

Best Practices

We brought together some of the best marketing and membership services coordinators to develop in a set of Best Practices for marketing and membership in cooperatives. These ideas were tested and approved by over 200 cooperators at the Let’s SOAR conference.