Mission & Vision Statements from other Co-ops

[Mary]

Here are some samples I found along with some guidelines.

As you create your Mission Statement consider including some or all of
the following concepts.
• The moral/ethical position of the enterprise
• The desired public image
• The key strategic influence for the business
• A description of the target market
• A description of the products/services
• The geographic domain
• Expectations of growth and profitability

Sample Co-op Mission Statements

Note how these statements reflect the purpose, business and values of
the respective co-op.

Sunshine Propane

To be the best, full service Propane Company in the North Olympic
Peninsula

Group Health Co-op

To design, finance and deliver high-quality health care

REI

We inspire, educate and outfit for a lifetime of outdoor adventure and
stewardship

Oregon Woodland Co-op

We serve the Oregon woodland community by providing services and
assistance through the power of cooperative actions of our members

Farmers Cooperative Creamery

To supply top quality milk, butter and powder products, operate an
efficient manufacturing plant, create an enjoyable work place, and
generate the highest dividends possible for our member/owners

InterTribal Bison Co-op

Restoring buffalo to Indian Country to preserve our historical,
cultural, traditional and spiritual relationship for future
generations

Organic Valley

To create and operate a marketing cooperative that promotes regional
farm diversity and economic stability by the means of organic
agricultural methods and the sale of certified organic products.

Olympia Food Co-op

To contribute to the health and well-being of people by providing
wholesome foods and other goods and services, accessible to all,
through a locally-oriented, collectively managed, not-for-profit
cooperative organization that relies on consensus decision making

Mission Statements for Multi-stakeholders Co-ops

5th Season Co-op

The Fifth Season Cooperative is a multi-stakeholder cooperative made
up of producers, producer groups, food processors, distributors, and
buyers from the 7 Rivers Region. Our members represent all of the key
players in the food system at the local level. Our goal is to build a
robust regional food system that supports a healthy environment, a
strong economy, and thriving communities.

Mission Statement

Weaver Street Market's mission is a vibrant, sustainable commercial
center for the community of owners and potential owners, which is
• Cooperative - control and profits stay within the community
• Local - maximizes local resources to meet local needs
• Ecological - works in harmony with the environment
• Primary - provides for basic community needs
• Fair - mutually beneficial and non-exploitative
• Inclusive - accessible to the whole community
• Interactive - creates opportunity for community interaction
• Empowering - enables fulfilling work and customer experiences
• Educational - develops an informed community
• And is reliant on community support - to purchase goods and
services, invest in the cooperative, and participate in governance.


Oklahoma Food Co-op

The purpose of this cooperative is to provide retail marketplaces that
sell Oklahoma grown and/or Oklahoma processed foods and non-food
items, for the mutual benefit of its producer and customer members.
The activities of the Oklahoma Food Cooperative are governed by its
Core Values of social justice, environmental stewardship, and economic
sustainability. The cooperative shall educate members, and the general
public, regarding cooperative principles, the local food movement, its
core values, and the practical implementation of these principles.
This association shall be operated on a cooperative basis for the
mutual benefit of its members as patrons and owners of the
cooperative.


WEST END Food Co-op

Vision

A thriving local community food culture that has a positive impact on
the economy, environment and society and promotes a connection to a
sustainable global food system.
________________________________________
Mission statement
The West End food Co-op will:
• Promote co-operative values and ownership;
• Act as a catalyst for local food security by coordinating community
driven food initiatives; and
• Provide the local community with a full-service grocery store that
focuses on selling products that are ecologically sustainable, local
and healthy, such as fair trade and organic;
________________________________________
Values
The West End Food Co-op values:
• Ethical transparent governance that is non-hierarchal, locally
controlled and culturally diverse;
• An organization that is agile, resourceful, pragmatic and promotes
innovation;
• Food Initiatives that provide quality member service while ensuring
a strong quality of work in a living wage model;
• Community leaders and hope to set an example of how multi-
stakeholder co-operation can be prosperous for all;
• Quality assured groceries that focus on purchasing local, direct
from producer, human, organic and fair trade;
• Direct and personal relationships between producers and consumers;
and
• Co-operation, through organizational education and mentoring.


Mission Statements of Well Known Enterprises
The following are some examples of mission statements from real
enterprises.

3M
"To solve unsolved problems innovatively"

Mary Kay Cosmetics
"To give unlimited opportunity to women."

Merck
"To preserve and improve human life."

Wal-Mart
"To give ordinary folk the chance to buy the same thing as rich
people."

Walt Disney
"To make people happy."