IOWA CITY, IOWA – How does your co-op build a better world? Show us in the My Co-op Rocks Video + Photo Contest for a chance to share in $5,000 in prizes!
The United Nations has declared 2012 the International Year of Cooperatives and the My Co-op Rocks Video and Photo Contest, a nationwide competition in which coop fans fire up their cameras and unleash their creativity to share all the reasons their coops rock, is celebrating with more co-ops and bigger prizes.
This year, National Cooperative Grocers Association (NCGA) is offering the contest in partnership with National Cooperative Business Association, National Association of Housing Cooperatives, and U.S. Federation of Worker Cooperatives, to showcase the social and economic benefits of co-ops around the country.
Whether shooting with a cell phone or high-definition camera, all skill levels are welcome. And just like a co-op, this contest depends on the entire community for success. Website visitors will vote for their favorite entries and pick prize winners. Simply submit a video or photo that celebrates the 2012 International Year of Cooperatives or communicates how your co-op builds a better world and post it for judging.
“Co-ops are deeply rooted in their communities,” said Robynn Shrader, chief executive officer for NCGA. “This contest gives people a way to share what makes their co-op special and we're excited to see the diversity, creativity and passion for co-ops shine through in contest entries.”
Individuals over the age of 18 can submit videos (two minutes in length or shorter) or photos from Mar. 1 through Apr. 30 at www.MyCoopRocks.coop. By voting between Mar. 1 and May 31, the public will determine three winners in the video category and three in the photography category. Winners will be announced on June 15. In each category, first place winners receive a $1,500 co-op gift card or donation to an eligible non-profit, second place winners receive a $750 co-op gift card or donation to an eligible non-profit, and third place winners receive a $250 co-op gift card or donation to an eligible non-profit.
While each entrant is eligible for one prize only, individuals may submit as many videos and photos as they like. For the official rules and inspiration, visit www.MyCoopRocks.coop.
About NCGA
National Cooperative Grocers Association (NCGA), founded in 1999, is a business services cooperative for retail food co-ops located throughout the United States. NCGA helps unify food co-ops in order to optimize operational and marketing resources, strengthen purchasing power, and ultimately offer more value to natural food co-op owners and shoppers everywhere. Our 125 member and associate co-ops operate over 160 storefronts in 35 states with combined annual sales over $1.4 billion. NCGA is a winner of the dotCoop Global Awards for Cooperative Excellence in recognition of the application of cooperative values and principles to drive cooperative and business success. For a map of NCGA member and associate co-ops, visit www.ncga.coop. To learn more about co-ops, visit www.strongertogether.coop or www.go.coop.
About NAHC
The National Association of Housing Cooperatives is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit national federation of housing cooperatives, mutual housing associations, other resident-owned or controlled housing, professionals, organizations, and individuals interested in promoting the interests of cooperative housing communities. Incorporated in 1960, NAHC is the only national cooperative housing organization. Our mission is to represent, inform, perpetuate, serve, and inspire the nation's housing cooperatives.
About NCBA
Founded in 1916, the National Cooperative Business Association is the national voice for cooperative enterprise in the United States and has a mission to develop, advance and protect cooperative business. NCBA provides a strong, unified voice on Capitol Hill and diligently works with lawmakers to enact legislation that supports the development and growth of cooperatives. NCBA’s comprehensive programs help co-ops strengthen their businesses so they can better serve their members and transform the global economy. NCBA also creates connections across all sectors of the nation’s more than 29,000 cooperative businesses, including agriculture, food distribution and retailing, childcare, credit unions, purchasing, worker-owned, housing, healthcare, energy and telecommunications cooperatives. NCBA’s CLUSA International Program has helped develop cooperatives and other sustainable businesses in over 100 countries since 1953. CLUSA currently implements 23 projects in 10 countries. In the 2012, cooperatives around the world will celebrate the International Year of Cooperatives. Cooperative enterprises build a better world. To learn more about NCBA, please visit www.ncba.coop. To learn more about the US observance of the International Year of Cooperatives, visit www.usa2012.coop.
About NCBA
Founded in 1916, the National Cooperative Business Association is the national voice for cooperative enterprise in the United States and has a mission to develop, advance and protect cooperative business. NCBA provides a strong, unified voice on Capitol Hill and diligently works with lawmakers to enact legislation that supports the development and growth of cooperatives. NCBA’s comprehensive programs help co-ops strengthen their businesses so they can better serve their members and transform the global economy. NCBA also creates connections across all sectors of the nation’s more than 29,000 cooperative businesses, including agriculture, food distribution and retailing, childcare, credit unions, purchasing, worker-owned, housing, healthcare, energy and telecommunications cooperatives. NCBA’s CLUSA International Program has helped develop cooperatives and other sustainable businesses in over 100 countries since 1953. CLUSA currently implements 23 projects in 10 countries. In the 2012, cooperatives around the world will celebrate the International Year of Cooperatives. Cooperative enterprises build a better world. To learn more about NCBA, please visit www.ncba.coop. To learn more about the US observance of the International Year of Cooperatives, visit www.usa2012.coop.
About USFWC
The United States Federation of Worker Cooperatives is a national grassroots membership organization of and for worker cooperatives, other democratic workplaces, and the organizations that support the growth and continued development of worker cooperatives. Founded in 2004, the USFWC connects its members to each other and to cooperative support organizations. The organization provides technical assistance and resources to its members and the public, puts on public educational events like conferences and workshops, publishes a quarterly newsletter, maintains libraries and databases of resources both physical and online, and initiates projects to benefit its members and the larger worker cooperative community.
Source: National Cooperative Grocers Association