Whole Life Co-op
"For the earth is the Lord's and all its fullness." -Psalms
2009 Membership Information

Please note that you will sign the paper copy of this agreement in person on a master copy when someone with the group meets with you to join. Please keep a copy for your records from the site if desired.

I. The Whole Life Co-op welcomes members from the various diverse backgrounds of Louisville and the surrounding areas and seeks to serve all its various members through a group buying club, education, research, and personal care. We encourage people to realize that price and convenience are not, ultimately, the most important considerations as to what we should buy and whom we should buy from, but rather community, stewardship, friendship, justice, and sustainability.

II. Each co-op member or family is required to have a "share" in the co-op, whose size depends on the dollar amount of their purchases through the co-op over a two to three month period. Usually, a family should have a minimum of $100 to $400 in their co-op account from which their purchases can be debited as needed. If a family is participating in the cow/goat/herdshare programs, they will be required to have a larger deposit with the co-op that is then used for purchasing our group share in a local dairy and goatherd. To stay a member in good standing, the co-op desires (but does not require) families to purchase approximately $1500 per year through the co-op (note that this does not include participating in a CSA). If a family is looking only for a few items, such as local eggs or beef, they may be able to purchase through the group as a non-member and need to contact the head family to do so.

III. The Co-op adds a surcharge/fee onto orders to defray the costs of running the co-op, such as storage, refrigeration, printing, travel expenses, communications, and the cost of products for the head co-op family so that they may have samples for those interested in the co-op, ensure the quality of what is being purchased, and be compensated for the time and energy they put into running the co-op. This fee is subject to change as necessary and without notice. The fee usually runs for a majority of orders and items from 10%-20%, and is intended to stay at around 15% on average, though factors not entirely under our control (phone and energy costs, breakdown of equipment, repair and replacement of appliances, weather, for example), may cause it to fluctuate. Refridgerated items and items that require travel have a higher fee.

Moreover, certain behaviors affect a member's surcharge: difficult or improperly submitted orders that have to be fixed or edited, that have SKU's or other information missing or wrongly entered, or that are otherwise improperly done, lack of help at pickups, making messes of co-op areas, etc. may cause an increase in a member's surcharge, but never above 20%.

IV. Members are responsible for any sales tax that they may incur by ordering through the co-op, including the recording, filing, and paying of any taxes.

V. Members may not resell products to others who are not members of the co-op. If a non-member desires to purchase a product offered through the co-op, they are able but will pay an additional fee over the normal co-op fee required of members so that they do not enjoy the benefits of the co-op apart from its responsibilities and so that our status with various companies is not endangered. If you are found to be reselling to non-members, you will be immediately removed from the co-op. You may purchase items from the co-op to give as gifts to others and others may purchase gifts for you through the co-op.

VI. Prompt pick-up of orders is required for all members. A penalty of 1% per day (minimum $1 per day) will be assessed for late order pick-ups, unless some mitigating factor exists (extreme illness, death, etc.) or we have announced some other pickup schedule. Members need to plan ahead and work together to ensure prompt pick-up, unless they have worked out arrangements with us ahead of time.

VII. Members may not, at any time or for any reason, distribute co-op information (such as forms, company catalogs, research) to others without our express permission or use it for personal gain. Moreover, company information, such as price lists, catalogs, etc. may never be shared with others outside the co-op. Companies have entrusted this information to us and it is not to be shared outside the co-op. Violation will result in removal from the co-op and may result in legal action from the co-op and the companies we work with.

VIII. We reserve the right to remove, at any time, a member from the co-op, and to change the member agreement as needed with approval from the co-op advisory board.

IX. Members are not allowed to utilize the co-op emailing list or any other personal information without our express permission. Any violation of another member's privacy will result in immediate removal and any other actions that are deemed appropriate, just, and consistent with Scripture by the Co-op.

X. Members must understand that they are not purchasing products from the co-op, but through the co-op. They are purchasing products directly from various farms, farmers, and companies, which is organized and administered by the co-op. Thus, members are solely and wholly responsible for how they use whatever they purchase through the co-op, for any circumstances that arise from the use of the products, either good or ill, and agree to hold the co-op harmless if because of their use or misuse of a product offered through the co-op, they, their family, or someone they share a product with suffers any sort of injury, loss, etc. In other words, you need to purchase and use only what you are comfortable with and want and you are completely responsible for any repercussions that may arise from what you purchase and how you use it.

Disclaimer: For the Full Disclaimer and Terms and Conditions of Use, please see the website, www.wholelifeco-op.com.

All materials distributed by the Whole Life Co-op are provided for informational and educational purposes only and may not be construed as medical advice or instruction. No action or inaction should be taken based solely on the contents of this site's information, information presented a group gatherings of any kind, including pickup, or information shared among members; instead, readers should consult appropriate healthcare professionals on any matter relating to their health, well-being, medical treatments options, and the like. The information provided via emails, at meetings, or elsewhere should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. It is not a substitute for professional medical care. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, you should consult a qualified health care provider.

Summary of Member Expectations

Members are expected to help with the finding of local and other resources, products, companies, etc… for the co-op to purchase from, build relationships with, and support, with unloading, sorting, and on occasion, picking up orders as needed, or any other needs related to processing orders as they arise, and with furthering the co-op's work as desired through referrals and the handing out of materials to both the interested and those in need of such information.

By signing the below, members agree to the full member agreement and the Full Disclaimer along with its terms and conditions.

Name (Please Print): ________________________________

Signature: _________________________________________

Date: ___________________