Advantages of becoming a member of CO-OP Régionale

1. When purchasing merchandise at any of our locations (Verner Ag Center, Verner Bulk Petroleum, Verner Gas Bar, Verner Co-op Food Town, Noelville Co-op Foodland, Northern Feed & Supplies and Tem Ag Center in Thornloe, Algoma Ag Center in Echo Bay, Sudbury Bulk Petroleum), the customer is asked if he or she has a member number. That number is on the member card issued by the Verner head office. The amount of the purchases is tracked at every location. At year end (September 30th), all data from all locations is sent to the Verner head office and all location purchases are combined. This information is used to calculate any patronage dividend a member is entitled to receive based on his total purchases and CO-OP Régionale’s financial results. Please note that patronage dividends are declared and paid only if CO-OP Régionale has had a profitable year. Some years, members might not receive any patronage. The more the members support their CO-OP, the better the chances patronage dividends will be declared. 
2. Being a member is also a requirement to becoming a director of CO-OP Régionale. Thirty days before year end, all vacant positions on the board are posted in all of our locations. If a person is interested, they must submit their intent to become a director, signed by 2 other CO-OP Régionale members as his or her sponsor. If only one person shows interest for a single vacant position, he/she is elected. If more than one person shows interest, an election is held at the annual meeting. These meetings are usually held in early December every year.  
3. Being a member also gives you the right to participate at the annual meeting. As a member, you may be required to vote on different issues at annual meetings. It gives the right of speech, at the annual shareholders’ meeting or any special shareholder meetings that may be called. 
4. The membership shares are redeemable. The board of directors has approved the following policies regarding the withdrawal of common shares: