From time to time our Board of Directors reevaluates the cost of the Co-op’s membership shares. In late 2010 they decided that an increase in price was prudent because ownership of the Co-op is more valuable now that we are an existing brewpub. As a thank you to our Charter Member-Owners who have supported us through the years, the Board has also decided to apply this increase to new Member-Owners only.
Effective November 1st, the equity assessed of each new Member-Owner will be increased to $150. Concurrent with the increased equity assessment, the non-refundable joining fee will be discontinued. These decisions were made in Board Resolution 010.
All new memberships received on or after November 1st, 2010 will reflect this change, but all Charter Member-Owners who were assessed $85 in membership equity will continue to be deemed fully invested. Also, member-owners who are joining the Co-op before November 1st, and are making payments forward their fully invested membership, will still be assessed at their original $85 membership capital.
Even with the increased assessment to $150, we will continue to allow people to join the Co-op and make payments over time. However, the minimum payment to join will be $40.
Looking for the perfect gift this Father’s Day? Chances are your Dad doesn’t own a brewpub, so give the gift of co-operation: Charter Membership in the world’s first co-operatively owned and worker self-managed brewpub. That’s right, now your dad can own a brewpub and support co-operative businesses in Austin!
For Father’s Day we’re offering a complimentary Black Star Co-op cap and bottle opener keychain with your purchase of a fully invested membership for that favorite father figure in your life. Make sure you get one now so we can ship it in time for Father’s Day: Sunday, June 20th.
The Co-op grew by 48 new members during the first week of our Spring Membership Drive! That’s 48 down, 52 to go.
As a reminder, we set a goal to get 100 new member-owners this month and aim to have 2,000 members by the time we the brewpub opens. For the month of March, each new member gets a Black Star Co-op mug and bottle-opener keychain. Let’s keep the momentum going by telling our friends, family, and loved ones to join the Co-op today!
This is an exciting time for the Co-op. We recently installed a “Coming Soon” sign to the side of our building at N. Lamar and Airport Blvd., which is attracting lots of attention to the brewpub. We completed the first round of permitting with the City of Austin and are still on track to begin construction within the next few weeks. Additionally, we’ve kicked off the second round of our offering of Member-Investor Shares and are having weekly Investor Q&A gatherings at the development office on Thursdays from 5-7p.m.
As you may know, in addition to raising money through Member-Investor Shares, our project budget includes raising $50,000 in new memberships by June 2010. This is where you can help. In the spirit of open and voluntary membership, your Co-op needs your help in attracting more member-owners. Now is the time to ask your friends, family, and loved ones to join you in co-operative ownership of our Co-op!
Throughout the month of March, each new member-owner will get a Black Star Co-op mug and bottle-opener keychain with their welcome packet. Also, keep in mind that all members paying their full membership equity before the brewpub opens will be recognized as Charter Members. If you or someone you know has been on the fence about joining, now is the time make the leap and become a member of the world’s first co-operatively owned brewpub!
Becoming a member is quick and easy, so pass this link on to your friends and family: