Tidal Creek Co-op relies on owner participation for its existence:  from joining and shopping, to serving on the Board of Directors, to voting in elections and volunteering; this is your co-op! Through the Owner Volunteer Program, every owner has the opportunity to be actively involved with their Co-op. They also enjoy the added benefits of earning additional discounts and contributing to the success of the local, cooperative business in which they have invested! Volunteers have provided an invaluable service to our Co-op for decades. Though the volunteer program has changed throughout the years, Co-op volunteers are still vital members of the Tidal Creek Team. The variety of volunteer positions are flexible and everchanging. There are many ways to contribute your talent to the Co-op!

Volunteer Opportunities
Opportunities at the Co-op vary from month to month. The volunteer newsletter and calendar is e-mailed every month listing available opportunities for owners to volunteer and upcoming events. Dates and times range from morning to evening, weekdays and weekends. Specific details are included in the newsletter. Here are some of the common volunteer jobs available:
Product Sampler – Great for someone who enjoys trying new foods and meeting new people. You will be stationed in the store with a demo table and product. The demo coordinator will be there to assist you in setting up and will provide direction and information on the samples. You will recruit customers to try the sample, educating them about the products, and helping them to locate it on the shelf. Usually during the middle part of the day, from 1- 4 hours. Evening or morning demo times may be available as well.
Tidal Creek Event Support Staff – Help with prep, set up and/or clean up at Tidal Creek events. Provide assistance during the event as needed. Some examples would be setting up tables for our Fall Food Fair or staffing a raffle table during the event.
Front-end Bagger for Events – Your job will be to assist our cashiers with check outs by bagging groceries for customers. During special events at the Co-op, such as Owner Appreciation Days, you will be stationed at our front-end registers helping the cashiers and customers.
In-Store Education – Share information about Co-op programs with your fellow Co-op shoppers. Example: table set up in-store to share info and talk about the “Eat Local Challenge.” Some owners have volunteered to teach classes in their area of expertise for our Lecture Series.
Co-op Kids Program Events – If you like teaching, enjoy children, having fun and sometimes getting a little messy, we’d love to have your help with Co-op Kids Events. Some of these include Co-op Kids Story Hour, Little Owners Day, field trip Co-op tours, and more. The focus of the events is educating about nutrition, sustainability, health, and of course, co-operation! Events can be both at Tidal Creek and within the community.
Health Fairs and Community Outreach Events – Involves working an information booth representing Tidal Creek at community events and health fairs, sharing information about the Co-op. Events are at various locations in the community. The volunteer coordinator may meet you at the event site and to set up or materials can be picked up at the Co-op. Shifts typically last 2 to 4 hours.

How to Become a Volunteer:

1. Invest in the Co-op by signing up for an ownership and paying the annual equity share.
2. Complete Tidal Creek’s Owner Volunteer Application and return it to the Co-op.
3. You will be contacted by the volunteer coordinator and receive the monthly newsletter and calendar.
4. Respond to the coordinator with the dates and events for which you want to volunteer.

Owner Volunteer Application

Volunteers earn a coupon valued at 12% off for each hour spent participating in volunteer activities.

For questions about the Volunteer Program, please contact:
Bethany Rogers
Outreach & Volunteer Coordinator
910.799.2667 ext 214
bethany@tidalcreek.coop