Vision: An Ontario where co-operatives contribute to the sustainability and growth of our economy and communities.

1. Ontario Co-operative Association Vision: An Ontario where co-operatives contribute to the sustainability and growth of our economy and communities. Mission: To lead, cultivate and connect the co-operative sector

2. Topics • Co-operatives in General • Local Food Co-ops – Opportunities • Local Food Co-ops – Issues • Steps to Starting a Co-op • Resources

3. A Co-operative is . . . An autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise.

4. Where do Co-ops come from? • Co-ops have strong roots in both 19th century rural communities and the newly industrialized urban areas of the late 1800s • Focus on providing goods and services to members meant co-ops were formed to provide: • Essential services in under-resourced communities • Fair and accessible alternatives to existing services • Many of these same motivations exist today, but with additional pressures and trends

5. Co-operative Principles • Voluntary and open membership • Democratic member control • Member economic participation • Autonomy and independence • Education, training and information sharing • Co-operation among co-operatives • Concern for community Elaborated in 1995 by the International Co-operative Alliance

6. Co-op Values • Co-operatives are based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity. • In the tradition of their founders, co-operative members believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility and caring for others.

7. One billion people 25% increase since 2007 Driven by principles and values 100 million jobs Co-ops Around the World

8. Co-operatives by Sector(Canada 2007)

9. Co-ops in Canada • Canada’s 10,000+ co-ops and credit unions have combined assets of approximately $167 billion • Co-ops and credit unions employ over 160,000 people • Co-op success rate is 2x private business • For profit and not-for-profit • 8 out of 10 Canadians support co-ops over large corporations

10. Benefits of Co-operatives • Fulfills people’s needs • Creates jobs • Supports the triple bottom line • (economic, social and ecological) • Builds and enhances local prosperity • Enhances democratic participation • Twice the survival rate of regular businesses

11. Opportunities • Fastest growing co-operative sector in Ontario • Growing interest in local/known food • Momentum in Northern Ontario and established co-operatives • Resources available • Democracy

12. Issues • Governance • Grant Reliance • Financial • Energy Dissipation • Membership Engagement • Must meet the needs of customers • Democracy

13. Best Advice-Strong Planning and Development • Basic Business Feasibility • Governance Structure • Business Plan • Decrease risk of business failing • Diminish Risk of Costly Mistakes

14. 10 Steps to Develop a Co-op • Identify a real need/opportunity • Assemble a committed group of interested people • Conduct a basic feasibility study: market review and financial feasibility • Write a comprehensive business plan • Determine the organizational structure/governance decisions

15. 10 steps continued • Incorporate the co-operative • Recruit and educate members • Have the first General Meeting • Open for business

16. Notes on 10 steps • Not linear • Starting a business is a complex activity • Range of skills required, range of people involved • Weeks, months • You do not have to re-invent the wheel

17. Incorporating a Co-operative • 5 people (3 for a worker co-op) • Co-operative Corporations Act (Guide Available through On Co-op) • Articles of Incorporation and bylaws • Regulating body: Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO)

18. Contact Information • Maureen Strickland 705-207-1913 • Ontario Co-operative Association www.ontario.coop • LOFC – Local Organic Food Co-operatives www.cultivatingfoodcoops.net