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About us

Scotland’s experts on farmer co-ops and food industry collaboration, we provide a range of specialist information and development services to help businesses work together more effectively. #workingtogether we grow

What we do

Now more than ever, it’s vital for farmers and food and drink businesses to work together more effectively - all of SAOS’s work centres on facilitating this.

Events & Training

Check out our Growing Tomorrow's Leaders programme

Membership

As a development organisation, owned by our members, we provide a range of specialist services not available elsewhere, to assist them in developing their people and their businesses. Get in touch to find out how we can help you.

What's New

Latest news, views and updates from us here at SAOS.

Membership/ Membership Packages

Membership Packages

Discover the membership packages we offer, get in touch to discuss any questions you have.

1. Governance Plus

Key Features

  • Incorporates delivery of governance-related services into the annual membership fee
  • SAOS and the member pre-schedule when governance services are delivered
  • Access to all SAOS knowledge, development and promotion services
  • Fixed annual membership fee

Benefits

  • The most cost-effective proposition for acquiring specialist governance services
  • A menu of governance-related services enables members to tailor their package
  • Responsibility for implementing governance practices is shared with SAOS
  • Assurance provided to current and prospective members, directors and managers
  • Governance services are designed especially for co-ops
  • Full member of SAOS with governance participation rights


2. Development Plus

Key Features

  • Scheduled twice-yearly meeting (or as agreed) to discuss member development issues
  • Tailoring of SAOS development action to support member development
  • Access to all SAOS knowledge, development and promotion services
  • Membership fee related to throughput. Project services on a commissioned basis

Benefits

  • Complete flexibility in tailoring support services from SAOS
  • Regular member development review in-built to management/board schedule
  • Development services are designed especially for co-ops
  • Access to up to date co-op development trends and strategies
  • Full member of SAOS with governance participation rights


3. Group Membership

Key Features

  • Collective membership of SAOS by a group of co-ops in special circumstances
  • Requests for Group Membership subject to SAOS Board approval
  • Scheduled twice-yearly meeting (or as agreed) to discuss group development issues
  • Access to all SAOS knowledge, development and promotion services

Benefits

  • Enables access to membership by groups that could individually not become members
  • Low cost to reflect special circumstances
  • Regular development review in-built to group schedule, and actions agreed
  • Tailoring of SAOS development action to support group and member development
  • Collective access to up to date co-op development trends and strategies
  • Group is a full member of SAOS with governance participation rights