What is a Cooperative?FACT SHEET Introduction A co‑operative, or co‑op, is an organization that is owned by its members. Co‑ops are formed when a group of individuals come together to meet a common need. Co‑ops can provide almost any type of product or service imaginable and can operate either on a notforprofit or forprofit basis. A co‑op operates on a democratic system that specifies “one member, one vote.” This ensures that all members of the co‑op have an equal say in how the co‑op is run, regardless of how much money they have invested in the co‑op or how much they use the services offered. Members do benefit financially from the co‑op’s activities based on how much they use the service or products provided by the co‑op — but this does not impact how much of a voice their vote carries within the co‑op. There are many different types of co‑ops operating in many different sectors all over the world. Co‑ops can and do offer services of every type in Ontario, including: food production and sale, tourism, health care, child care, funeral services, retail goods, housing, renewable energy, transportation, social services, natural resources and financial services. History of Co‑ops The first formal co‑operative, structured as most of the co‑ops operating today are structured, was formed in England in 1844. In a town called Rochdale, a group of weavers came together to address the terrible conditions they were subjected to and take more control of their lives. The weavers in Rochdale were tired of paying high prices for poor food — so they wanted to start a store of their own. Individually, none of the weavers had enough money to start the store alone, so they, along with the other residents of the community that wanted to be members, started a fund. Each contributed a small amount of money. Once the fund was big enough, the co‑op started operations as the Rochdale Pioneers and began selling basic supplies and foodstuffs. Their co‑op tracked how much each member purchased, and distributed the

I would like to get your feedback. Should we continue with this group/platform(Skool)? I know we only have a few members so far (even though it is a free to join group). What type of content/information would you like to see on this group? I would like to keep this group for those of us who would SERIOUSLY like to see us have a full time skating rink in the Sarnia/Lambton area. That conversation could include anything from financing/fundraising, to site selection, to equipment/rentals, proshop, merchandise, programming music genres, legal and incorporating to what else to do with the space ie roller derby, pickleball, indoor skateboard park etc. The thing I like about this platform is that it set up similar to other social media sites, but without the ads and algorithms (noise) to get in the way. So we all should be able to see other posts and comments. So let's keep it clean, positive and encouraging ( we already know why things won't or can't work). Let's come together as a community and create something for the local community and for the benefit of this community's members. How do we get more new members? Thank you. Brad (B-Rad Shuffler)

We are starting this journey in order to create a more interactive and engaged community of rollerskaters in Sarnia. I believe there are a lot of us out there and if we can come together as a community we can accomplish more. Our main purpose is to create and organize rollerskating activities for the purpose of having our own rink that operates year round. Please comment and provide feedback as we continue to learn and grow this community. Please encourage your rollerskating friends to join us as well. We will still provide updates on FB and our website at sarniarollerskating.ca. Thank you and KEEP ON ROLLIN'