As was mentioned around the table and by earlier speakers, there is a need to be able to educate industry, banking, etc., on what a cooperative is. The issue we constantly have is the differentiation between members' investment. Banks will see that as debt, and it's not debt; it is equity, because it is generational capital that doesn't leave the cooperative. When they calculate how much money they will loan you, it is always based upon members' investments being debt. So there is a necessity to be able to educate on that differently. We've had members who have been members since 1958. There are grandfathers, fathers, and daughters. It's changing. That needs to change.
On July 10th, 2012. See this statement in context.