Cooperative Month

By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution of Virginia in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:

Cooperative Month

WHEREAS, from its roots in the spirit of neighbor helping neighbor and operating as voluntary, user-owned enterprises, cooperatives are associations that unite people to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations; and

WHEREAS, cooperatives are designed as not-for-profit associations with the primary goal to provide benefits to their members who are also the owners; and

WHEREAS, several Virginia cooperatives have become major enterprises across the Commonwealth, providing for many needs such as supplying farmers with agricultural products and providing rural residents with vital services such as electricity and access to broadband; and

WHEREAS, many Virginians are members of cooperatives and reap their benefits based on the values of self-help and personal responsibility; and

WHEREAS, cooperative enterprises support economic development in the form of investment and employment opportunities while providing greater freedom of choice that contributes to productivity and quality of life; and

WHEREAS, cooperative month was first celebrated in 1924 and has grown to touch the daily lives of countless Virginians; and

WHEREAS, cooperatives continue to solve problems while also evolving to meet new challenges and providing for citizens’ needs through education, training, and initiatives that serve all Virginians;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize October 2023, as COOPERATIVE MONTH in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.

Governor of Virginia

Proclamations