Tami Bauers

Tami Bauers has worked with foods co-ops in Minnesota for over 16 years in a variety of capacities. In her first job at a food co-op, she was immediately struck by how many educational opportunities the job offered to learn about food, community and understanding how cooperation works. Since then, she has worked in both the retail and distribution sectors for food co-ops, specifically in management and customer and member services.

Tami began consulting because she feels a strong desire to demystify raising member capital within the cooperative model. Tami said that co-ops need capital, but often are not sure how to launch a campaign for raising money. Her expertise in this specialized area has helped many food co-ops meet their goals for successful capital drives. “Part of my work is helping co-ops build the structure they need, and to show how doable it is. It can be really fun too, and there’s a lot of excitement that is generated when people start investing in their community co-op. I love to give boards and managers that confidence,” she said.

Tami’s services include:

• Planning and implementation of member-owner loan and/or preferred shares stock campaigns for expansions, new stores and new co-ops.
• Planning and implementing a member-owner equity drive and/or changing an existing member-owner equity structure.
• Promoting member-ownership. Training for staff to help achieve your membership goals. Helping staff talk comfortably and confidently about ownership in the co-op.

For more specific information about services and rates, contact Tami.

“Tami Bauers did a great job for us. I enjoyed working with her. Her immediate responses to questions I had during the 9-month investment campaign were very helpful and reassuring. CDS Consulting Co-op has a very valuable resource in Tami.”

— Jim Robinson, Board Member and Investment Caller/Contact Person, St Peter Food Co-op, St Peter, Minn.

“Our goal was to raise $1.5 million dollars through member investments as part of our $10.5 million project. The employee training program she constructed helped the staff talk effectively about the complex concept of Member Investment. The support she provided board members was essential for them to engage with members and promote investment. This goal could not have been done without the team building approach Tami used.”

— Sean Doyle, General Manager, Seward Co-op, Minneapolis, Minn.

“Tami understands the meaning of membership. Her trainings give staff tools to talk about membership with customers, and help them deliver complex messages in an accessible manner. Tami’s commitment to co-ops gains her the respect of the people she works with: staff, boards and customers alike.”
— Gail Graham, General Manager, Mississippi Market, St. Paul, Minn.