Welcome to C.O.C.O.!  The Council of Community Organizations of Oktibbeha County, Inc. (C.O.C.O.) with headquarters located in Starkville, Mississippi is a non-profit organization tax exempt under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code and a network service provider with focus on economic development at all levels of community life.  The organization was founded in 1984 as a provider of services to the community.  Today, the organization's Phase I is fully operational in providing services to the community.  Phase II is expected to be starting in Summer 2007 and Phase III thereafter.

What is C.O.C.O.?

C.O.C.O. stands for "COUNCIL OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS," a nonprofit corporation tax exempt under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code concerned with individual and economic development at all levels of community life.

Who Belongs?

Any organization or individual concerned about the economic, social, or political status of the community is eligible to join C.O.C.O.

How does C.O.C.O. Operate?

C.O.C.O. is managed by a Board of Directors.  The Board elects its own Officers.  The President appoints committees to help manage the affairs of C.O.C.O.

Area Covered:

"COCOLAND" covers Oktibbeha County and its cities and towns.

Types of Affiliates:

C.O.C.O. is open to all clubs and organizations that are interested and willing to participate in our programs.  All groups are invited to join.  Like-minded individuals are welcome also.

Our Vision is to provide services to the community through economic development.

Our Mission is to insure progress through education, industry, initiative, and pursuit of our goals.

Objectives:

• To make the dream of economic development a reality.
  
  
• To buy or build a home for C.O.C.O.  We want economic control over what we use.
  
  
• To insure progress through education, industry, initiative, and pursuit of our goals.  We will develop all of the skills and attitudes necessary for this mission.
  
  
• To advocate self-reliance, self-help, and cooperative effort on jobs to big for the individual, or the smaller affiliate.
  
  
• To enhance the quality of life with moral support, financial support, integrity, and honest work.
  
  
• To establish channels of communication and the framework for teamwork among members.
  
  
• To provide a forum for discussion of issues so members can hear both sides and make knowledgeable, informed decisions.
  
  
• To use the political process more effectively in dealing with city and county government.

C.O.C.O. believes that through these things unity will be achieved: moral, industry, intellectual, community service, recreation, and spiritual.  

History:

C.O.C.O. formed in 1984 with a dream to construct an educational building and recreational community center for Oktibbeha County.  On November 18, 1994, C.O.C.O. broke ground bringing a 10-year dream into reality.  The purpose of the facility is to serve as a meeting place for family reunions, meetings, concerts as well as a facility for educational, moral, spiritual, and recreational uses for residents of Oktibbeha County.  After the groundbreaking, collaborations began with other community organizations including Mississippi State University.  The result of these collaborations brought the following visions for the facility: grant writing, an arts program, preservation of cultural heritage, health and crafts fairs, and recreational activities.  Some of the early dreamers were David Rogers, Jimmie Lee Randle, Sr., Viola Johnson, Katie Franklin, Wilbur Logan, Evette Harps-Logan, *Yancy Outlaw Jr., *Bennie Butler, *William B. Robinson, *Dr. Douglas Conner, *Ozzie Elliot, Rep. Tyrone Ellis, Rev. Donald Anderson, Emma Randle, Peggy J. Rogers, and Virginia Gandy.

*Deceased

Dedication service organizers Rev. David Miles, Viola Johnson and Rev. Merlin D. Conoway plan a
Saturday ribbon cutting and dedication service for the new community center on Highway 182 East.

Members of the Council of Community Organizations of Oktibbeha County held a
groundbreaking ceremony Nov. 18, 1997 at the new site on old Highway 82.

David Rogers, left, the Rev. David Miles and Jimmy Randle look over blueprints as the
community center they hoped for rises around them on Feb. 10, 1995.

Martin Luther King III shares a hug and smile with Starkville residents Martha Rice Vaughn (center) and Elma Robinson.  More than 300 people turned out to hear the oldest son of the late
Martin Luther King, Jr. at the C.O.C.O. Center on Feb. 28, 1996.

Mississippi State University President Robert H. "Doc" Foglesong spoke to students
about the dangers of smoking during a week long camp at the C.O.C.O. Center.

Future Goals:

C.O.C.O. taps $50,000 in federal grant funds

Please view our Photo Gallery below.