Working the Cooperative Principle-Community Service

I've worked at the Wedge for over a year now and I've reaped many of the benefits that co-ops have to offer. The employee break room usually has free breads that are a rich, dark brown color, in a huge plastic bin, left over bagels from the previous day, or sliced breads that have become expired. Also, at the end of the night after the Wedge closes, the deli counter gives the employees any left over dishes. I always hope for Thai curry noodles, they're my favorite. A girl never gets hungry with all the freebies from the Wedge. But there are other benefits I have never encountered at any of my past 12 jobs. Great pay, great health care insurance, great people, and the Community Service Program.

The Community Service Program started in 1997 as a way to reduce staff stress. Employees accumulate community service hours based on how many hours they work. Employees are paid their regular wage for the amount of accrued hours. Community service hours cap at twenty hours. The program allows employees to choose any non-profit, non-sectarian organization.

Employees participating in the program love it! Jen Meyers, volunteers for two organizations with her community service hours. She has been the leader for the Wedge team at the AIDS walk for the past five years. She has also facilitated a single parenting support group for the past two years. "I've found the experience very rewarding," Jen said, "I learn as much from them as I give."

Josh Bialik volunteers for In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theater where he works in the tool room during the MayDay Parade preparations. He says he enjoys it and it gives him time to work on his own costume for the parade. "The MayDay Parade and Festival couldn't happen without community involvement and volunteer help," HOBT said.

Annette Dreier volunteered for Beverly Health Care center where she played music with a group for the residents at the center. Wing Chan, the musical director at the center, said, "We need more volunteers like Annette, people who are willing to come in and spend time with the residents." The Community Service Program gives employees a chance to use their time off with their community.

Brendan Kelly volunteered his time to kids participating in a program called Kaleidoscope. "We couldn't run the program without volunteers, the kids bond with the volunteers in a different way than they do with teachers," Felicia Fine said. The volunteers bring in a "cool" perspective of the world outside that the kids seem to gravitate toward.

Cindra Halm volunteered time to the Zenon Dance Company and School for their benefit fundraising. She also helps with marketing for shows and substitute teaches a stretch and strength class. "I feel good about volunteering for the arts," Cindra said. She enjoys contributing to a non-profit organization that promotes a healthy culture. Cindra also said, "I'm very glad that The Wedge invests in this program. It's a way to put your energy out in the community in ways you believe in. It's an incentive - it's one way that The Wedge commits itself to the co-op principle of community service, and it teaches and encourages that principle in employees."

Joan Samuelson finds volunteering personally rewarding. She meets interesting people from many different countries at the Franklin Learning Center where she tutors people in English, math, history, and science. She also helps people with their GED programs and citizenship studies. While Joan has helped other people learn about our culture, she, in turn has learned a great deal about Africa and about differences in languages. Joan said, "I think this community service program is a great thing, as I would not have known about this terrific volunteer opportunity without it."

Laurel Zastrow has volunteered with two organizations with her Wedge community service hours. Both the Midwest Farm Animal Rescue and the Minnesota Center for Book Arts have been lucky to have Laurel give them a helping hand. She enjoyed her volunteer efforts at MCBA so much that she was able to turn volunteering into a part-time job. Laurel said, "As non-profits, both have been extremely appreciative of the Wedge's willingness to add value to their organizations by defraying the cost of labor."

The program is not only a benefit for employees but for members as well. Members live in the communities where Wedge employees volunteer, providing an essential ingredient for non-profit organizations in our community. Wedge employees get a chance to earn paid time off and help their community at the same time. This benefit also helps Wedge member/owners because money is going back into the community.

On my pay stub, next to the community service hours it reads nine. I am unsure of where I would like to volunteer. There are so many great non-profits that need volunteers it's difficult to decide on just one. In researching and writing this article I have realized what a worthy program this is and I intend to participate in it soon. I have also learned that a "concern for the community" is the 7th Cooperative principle. This principle is not about organic kale or all-natural deodorant. It is about going beyond the doors of the Wedge and seeing what the neighborhood needs from us.