Volunteer Information

The Marsh River Cooperative Needs You!

The Marsh River Coop is a member owned and volunteer run cooperative.  We are experiencing rapid growth and while this is good, we are struggling to keep up with the additional needs of the organization, especially in these challenging times. We are looking for individuals who share our values and appreciate having the coop in existence to volunteer their time and energy to keep the coop open and to become truly sustainable. 

There are many different ways to volunteer at the coop, depending on your time, interests, and talents.

Serve on the Board 

Our volunteer board governs the organization and supports the operational side of the co-op. We are excited to welcome new members who can bring diverse interests and strengths to our team. As a board member, you’ll help oversee management, ensure financial stability, plan strategic growth, and engage with our community. Your expertise, especially in finance, marketing, and community organizations, can make a significant impact. Join us in shaping the future of our co-op and contributing to our vibrant local community!

New board member elections occur during the annual meeting in November.

In-store Support

Choose from a variety of in-store tasks or types of shifts. We have a manager and part-time paid staffing, but for many of our open hours, we are solely staffed by volunteers. Volunteers also fulfill many of the other tasks needed to keep the business running, including stocking and repacking, product pickups, cleaning/disinfecting, and facilities maintenance tasks.

Contact for info on any of the above: Kim Jacobs at volunteermarshriver@gmail.com or 207-722-3139.

Join a Committee

Serve on an existing committee, revitalize or head up a needed committee, or work in one of these areas on your own.

Committees are made up of board members, co-op members, and others from our customer base and community to facilitate many aspects of our mission and operations.  There are many interesting and fun areas that you could get involved in.  

Members can also volunteer when there is a “Call for availability” for tasks as they arise.

Current Committees

Facilities/Store/Infrastructure: 

The purpose is to assist in creating and maintaining a physical environment that furthers the mission of the Marsh River Cooperative. The committee will do so by:

• Maintaining a clean and attractive appearance both inside and outside the Coop.
• Helping either build or obtain fixtures, displays, and equipment as needed, such as shelving, coolers, furnishings, etc.
• Ensuring the equipment, such as the coolers and freezers, receives regular maintenance.  
• Repairing or arranging for repair of equipment, fixtures, and displays as needed.
• Helping other committees when carpentry, building skills, or moving heavy objects are needed.

Volunteer and Outreach Committee

The Volunteer and Outreach Committee fosters community connections by engaging with members, educating the public about cooperatives, and managing volunteer recruitment and participation. It also handles online communications, maintains outreach documents, and oversees membership applications and contact lists.

• Community outreach and engagement, including events and communications
• Education about cooperatives
• Member outreach, recruitment, and engagement
• Volunteer recruitment, engagement, and management 
• Newsletter and email communications
• Social media communications
• Website management
• Promotions, press releases, advertising, displays.
• Maintain outreach documents
  • Membership applications
  • Membership and Community Contact Lists
  • Volunteer opportunities and needs

Crafts/Art on Consignment Committee

Our goal is to facilitate and manage a diverse and thriving “crafter’s area” in the Coop store. This showcases the breadth and variety of artistic “craft” talent from coop members and others from the community. The Crafter Committee will:

• Actively recruit crafters
• Oversee the selection of products and make sure a bountiful number is maintained 
• Create and maintain an attractive store set-up and display of products

• Ensure that all facets of crafter sales are running smoothly.  
• Keep up-to-date and available crafter documents such as inventory sheets and crafter applications
• Promote the craft area through marketing endeavors – advertising and events
• Act as liaison between the crafters, the manager, and the board.

Finance Committee:

Responsible for monitoring the financial status of the Co-op and proposing policies impacting the financial status to the Board.

The following committees are currently in abeyance which means that their areas of concern are getting what little attention the board can spare for them or are ending up on the manager’s plate.

Policy Committee

This committee is responsible for reviewing and ensuring the consistency, coherence and clarity of the Co-op´s bylaws and policies and ensuring that all policies are easily accessible to Co-op members.  

Specifically, the Committee is responsible for: Compiling the Co-op’s bylaws and policies in physical and electronic format that is easily accessible to all Co-op members, Ensuring consistency of policies with Co-op bylaws, consistency across policies, and coherence and clarity in the bylaws and policies

• Identifying any gaps in the bylaws and policies

• Making the Board and/or other committees aware of gaps, inconsistencies and lack of coherence or clarity in policies and recommending potential solutions
• Supporting the Board and/or relevant committees in developing or revising policies as needed or requested
• Researching and making recommendations to the Board and/or other committees regarding consistency of Co-op bylaws, policies and procedures with relevant laws 
• Recording and publishing policy additions and changes appropriately including Bylaw changes to the State.

Merchandising and Purchasing Committee

Responsible for evaluating our product line, what to carry, what does well, determining product priorities, sourcing etc. in conjunction with the manager.  Also works with the manager on in-store presentation, layout and display including store displays, fixtures, labeling and signage. Evaluate marketing/advertising/outreach needs to facilitate the sale of the inventory and inform the Marketing Committee of those needs. 

Fundraising – Development:  

The goal is to seek and attempt to obtain gifts, grants or other relevant revenue sources for the co-op outside of those generated from the sales of goods. The committee shall obtain and work in concert with a fiscal sponsor when required or seek other appropriate partners or take other appropriate measures to increase the scope of grants that the co-op may be eligible for. In addition to the seeking of traditional grants, the committee may seek alternative revenue through crowd funding, or other non-traditional fund raising measures as deemed appropriate.