With dedicated account representatives readily available to provide assistance, the Co-Op is here to help. Whether it’s in regards to

• Event Planning
• Property Management
• Kitchen Management
• Food Services
• or Anything Else!!

Just let us know what you are looking for and we can point you in the right direction. You are welcome to contact any Co-Op Vendor directly if preferred, but at the same time, we can help identify all possible options with specific background information that may aid in your decision making process. Members are free to choose which Vendors they want to work with and in general coordinate the delivery/exchange of goods/services independently. However, when first searching for a solution, do not hesitate to contact us and we can offer support.

From a consultative perspective, we have already identified numerous best practices based on our Members’ needs and can drastically reduce the amount of time and effort spent searching for solutions. Regardless if you are a community organization, student group, fraternity or sorority or whether you have a physical facility or not, Nittany Co-Op can connect you to a multitude of service and product providers to handle any necessity you may have.  Reducing costs and providing quality service is our primary goal.  We realize that the transitions that occur each year puts an undue burden on maintaining stable practices.  Instead of reinventing the processes, let Nittany Co-Op be the constant resource so your organization can focus on building off the success gained each year.

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We extend a line of credit to our Members Organizations by issuing identified Authorized Purchasers official Purchasing Cards so they can purchase through the Co-Op Vendor network. The Co-Op pays invoices on the Member’s behalf and consolidates all the purchases on a single statement.  We provide a shared link access to officers where they can see their recent and past billing statements, copies of original Vendor invoices and bi-annual spending reports.

This billing consolidation can be extremely beneficial to student organizations that get reimbursed from Penn State’s ASA Office. Instead of officers having to pay for things out of pocket and wait to get reimbursed (which can be a long time), Members can pay for goods and services through their Co-Op account. From their billing statement, they then can request to get reimbursed from ASA to pay their Co-Op bill. Since we provide copies of original invoices, we have the accurate information needed by ASA.

With a comprehensive list of Vendors, Nittany Co-Op can make your job extremely easy when planning an event. From tables, chairs, tents, grills, catering, flowers, transportation, themed decorations, screen printed shirts, promotional products, invitations, banners, flyers, awards, privacy fencing, portable toilets, 3^rd party venues, event promotion, entertainment, photo booths or anything else, the Co-Op can handle it all. Simplifying the back-end logistics will give you more time to focus on the details of the event to ensure its success.

By truly understanding Penn State fraternity life, promoting individual ownership of the property and emphasizing leadership development, Nittany Co-Op offers comprehensive and long-term Chapter Management solutions for the day-to-day chapter house operations. Acting as House Dads or out-of-House Directors, this program will help implement best practices and preventive maintenance measures for the physical plant and property as well as improve compliance with local codes to maintain safety standards. In being a stable resource for all officers and giving them the tools needed, the Co-Op will help them achieve more in accomplishing their goals as opposed to starting from scratch and exhausting their time and energy just trying to learn what the position entails. An online shared platform gives any necessary officer comprehensive access to all aspects of the program, ensuring transitions occur smoothly and the loss of knowledge, which is very common, is prevented.

The Co-Op originated from supplying food to fraternities so this is the bread and butter of what we do. In helping approximately 30 fraternities supply daily meals to 25-65 individuals per house, that is well over 1,000 heads being fed per day. In addition to that and numerous annual events, various community organizations have their own internal kitchens to support their needs. We work with various wholesale distributors, other providers on a wide scale and many individuals with expansive culinary backgrounds to provide high quality solutions at a leveraged rate. Collectively, the Co-Op has an extensive reach and again, can share best practices as needed.

Providing services for facilities and the exterior property is another substantial component of what our Vendor network does. We have spent countless hours learning the needs of our Members and in turn work with selected Vendors to develop specific solutions to enhance the physical plant and to simplify routine maintenance. Although similar, facility management is different from taking care of a personal home and should be treated more from a business standpoint. We can share best practices as well as be involved to ensure any required annual inspections occur in a timely fashion. In addition, we secure any documentation such as 3^rd party agreements or inspection reports for Members so they are not lost during officer transitions. Facilities are a major expense so having efficient processes in place will make a significant impact on an organization’s operating budget. Let us know what areas are a concern for you and we can identify some possible options.

Over the last few years, the Co-Op has invested in low cost but exceptional cloud-based services to enhance the level of service provided to Members as well as to streamline our own internal operations. We have significantly decreased operating costs while simultaneously expanding capabilities. We have become a highly efficient team that maximizes our limited resources. Since our goal is to help others, we don’t mind sharing what resources we utilize or even help with implementation if needed. We can help with

• Database Management
• Email Marketing
• Cloud Storage
• Accounting Software
• Website Management
• or Anything Else!!

Being a Co-Op, it’s natural for us to help others with sustainability efforts. Our cooperative nature defines Nittany Co-Op’s commitment to the local community and to the environment.  Many of our member organizations share the same promise so we provide solutions to make it simple and cost effective.  Whether its access to recycling containers, information on recycling programs and resources, or connecting people up with similar goals, let us know how we can help.

The Co-Op is strategically positioned in the middle of various local entities and we can connect people who otherwise may not find each other.

• Does your organization need volunteer assistance?
• Does your organization have manpower to lend for community service projects?
• Are you hosting a local philanthropic event that you would like to promote?

The Co-Op can help bring the local community together by understanding the needs and capabilities of our Members and Vendors and linking them up where appropriate.

Becoming a Vendor of the Co-Op is more than just gaining access to our Member Organizations. Although we only extend a line of credit to not-for-profit entities, that does not prevent our Vendors from using one another. Through the Individual Membership Program, which all Vendor employees are eligible for, cardholders are able to take advantage of discounts and benefits on goods and services that can readily be used in a business’ own internal operations. In addition, the Co-Op is a priceless network comprised of like minded business owners and associates who promote quality customer service ethics. We also hold an Annual Vendor Trade Show that is a great environment for all to come together to learn about each other and truly see the extent of the Co-Op’s reach in the local community.