Customer Mailing Contact Centre Brief

Members’ meetings – questions and answers

What is The Co-operative Group marking? 2013 is a special anniversary for The Co-operative Group as it marks 150 years of Co-operative goods and services – our own label products.

How are you marking the anniversary? We are marking the anniversary in a number of ways including at our members’ meetings. For more information on how you can take part, please log on to: www.co- operative.coop/150.

What is a members’ meeting? Every year, The Co-operative organises meetings for members to meet the representatives they have elected. You will have the opportunity to meet members of your Area Committee, the Regional Board and a Group Board Director. Local and regional management will be there as well.

What can I do at a members’ meeting? You can find out about the major events in The Co-operative, our financial performance, how we work to implement our co-operative values and ask questions or make comments. It’s really important that we hear your voice as that shapes our co-operative future.

At the members’ meetings in October 2013, we will be marking the 150th anniversary and asking for your co-operative memories: interesting stories about your experiences with The Co-operative.

Is a members’ meeting for me? Our members’ meetings are relaxed, informal meetings where you will be received with a warm welcome. They last about two hours.

Where do they take place? We try to hold meetings where there is public transport and car parking available. The members’ meetings will take place on: In Salisbury City Centre on Saturday 12 October at 11am In Plymouth City Centre on Monday 14 October at 6.30pm In Truro City Centre on Tuesday 15 October at 6.30pm Near Taunton on Thursday 17 October at 7pm Near Ledbury on Friday 18 October at 6.30pm In Bristol City Centre on Saturday 19 October at 10.30am

Is transport available? Subject to demand, coach transport will be available to the following meetings: Bristol from Bath and Keynsham Ledbury from Worcester: city centre, St John’s and Ombersley Rd Plymouth from Newton Abbot, Paignton and Torquay Salisbury from the centre of Southampton Taunton from Exeter, Wellington, Taunton town centre and the Priorswood estate We ask that members donate £3.50 per seat to Carers Trust – The Co- operative Charity of the Year When will you confirm my place? We will send out full details of the venue, including coach times, at the beginning of October.

How many places can I book? Members can book one place and one for a guest.