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Transition Tips for Buying Club Coordinators 

The conventional wisdom is that people dislike change.  But we happily change our clothes, our hair, our homes, our cars; we like to try new products and we watch our children change before our very eyes!  Perhaps what people dislike most is pressure to change.  So here are some thoughts on reducing the pressure as you lead your buying club through this transition. 

1. Recognize that you are in a period of change and adjustment.  Things will be a little more difficult but only for a little while. 

2. Take stock of your resources: especially the skills, talents and energy of the members of your buying club.  Being a buying club coordinator has enough everyday challenges, so in a time of change it will help to spread the work around a little bit more.  This is your chance to delegate (who knows, maybe this is the time to make some changes in your group as well)!  Ask your members to help you out more than usual.  For example, ask one member to make copies of this packet and distribute to all the members of your group.  Ask another member to become an ‘expert’ about the transition, to help you answer the questions your members will have.  Ask your members to do their homework (read the packet, transition information on www.unitedbuyingclubs.com,  and the August Prairie News) before calling you with questions.

3. Communicate with your members.  Let them know that a period of change and adjustment is coming and that you need their cooperation and support.  Share information, be clear about when changes will take place, expect the best from your members. 

4. Anticipate Stress.  Most things are hardest the first time you do it.  Mistakes are made, people get confused or misunderstand.  Simply expecting stress and knowing that it’s temporary can take the pressure off.  Humor helps, too.

5. Put time on your side!  Everything takes longer the first time you do it.  Your members will be getting used to a new Prairie News (same great products, but with new product numbers, descriptions and arrangement), your FoodLink coordinator will be using the new version, you and your driver will be adjusting to new delivery procedures and paperwork.  So plan in some extra time and extra people to get the work done. 

Transition Tips for Buying Club Members

Coping With Changes

Since we have to lay all these changes at your doorstep, we wanted to also provide some tips for helping you and your buying club make the transition.  Here are a few ideas that might be useful:

1. Recognize that you are in a period of change and adjustment.  Things will be a little more difficult but only for a little while. 

2. Be a resource: the skills, talents and energy of the members of your buying club are especially needed when adjusting to changes.  Can you help out more than usual for one or two order cycles?  If nothing else, please remember that your buying club coordinator has a lot to cope with right now.  Do your homework (read the information in here) before calling your coordinator with questions.

3. Anticipate stress.  Most things are hardest the first time you do it.  Mistakes are made, people get confused or misunderstand.  Simply expecting stress and knowing that it’s temporary can take the pressure off.  Humor helps, too.

4. Put time on your side!  Everything takes longer the first time you do it.  Plan extra time to put your household order together, and try to get it in early!  Your FoodLink coordinator will be using the new version – take some pressure off by getting your order in early.  Buying clubs and drivers will be adjusting to new delivery procedures and paperwork.  So plan to give extra time and extra help to get the work done.