1 / 21

Growing a Co-op

Growing a Co-op. Presenter — Carol Murray BC Co-operative Association Powell River ~ February 9, 2011. Objectives of the Session. To give you some basic knowledge of the co-op model To outline the benefits of the co-op model To stimulate your thinking of how you might apply the co-op model

samcameron
Download Presentation

Growing a Co-op

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript


  1. Growing a Co-op Presenter — Carol Murray BC Co-operative Association Powell River ~ February 9, 2011

  2. Objectives of the Session • To give you some basic knowledge of the co-op model • To outline the benefits of the co-op model • To stimulate your thinking of how you might apply the co-op model • To outline some steps for co-op development • To provide some examples of co-ops • To give you an opportunity to ask questions about co-ops

  3. What is a co-op? • A co-operative is any enterprise which is collectively owned and democratically controlled by its users for their mutual benefit

  4. The Co-operative Principles Seven Principles of Co-operatives Worldwide 1 - Voluntary and open membership • 2 - Democratic Member Control 3 - Member Economic Participation 4 - Autonomy and Independence 5 - Education, Training and Information 6 - Co-operation among Co-operatives 7 - Concern for Community

  5. The Co-operative Difference • A different purpose – • co-ops care about members’ needs • A different set of values – • based on self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity & solidarity • A different control structure – • each member has only one vote • A different allocation of profit – • non-profit co-ops use surplus to increase or improve services to clients

  6. Types of co-ops • Financial co-ops • Producer co-ops • Consumer co-ops • Worker co-ops • Service co-ops • Multi-stakeholder co-ops

  7. Local Food Co-ops — Opportunities – 3 considerations Type of co-op (producer, consumer, etc) Point on the value chain (production, distribution, value-added, retail) Social issues (poverty, malnourishment, peak oil, food safety, farm income crisis, high cost of agricultural land, barriers to food distribution, working conditions/wages)

  8. Local Food Co-ops — Issues What does local meant? Perhaps regional is a better concept? Value chain issues – scale, commercially operated/managed Industry knowledge e.g., labeling laws, traceability regulations, food safety, grading standards, etc. Legislated marketing Red tape e.g., packaging Infrastructure Access to financing

  9. Local Food Co-ops — Key Ingredients (Source: ACENet) Food & farm entrepreneurs Infrastructure (land, processing facilities, farmers’ markets, distribution hubs, co-packers) Local & independent retail Engaged consumers Civic investment/community pride Leaders & champions Policy commitment & change Network weaving & collaboration

  10. Examples… • City Harvest is an urban farming co-operative that transforms backyards and unused urban spaces into thriving food gardens, providing an abundance of healthy, accessible food for our communities and a sustainable livelihood for our members.

  11. Examples…. • The primary focus for NOWBC Co-op’s on-line market is seasonal, local, organic foods sourced directly from small farms and processors.

  12. Examples… • Welcome to the the Kettle Valley Food Co-op’s online shopping system! Producers and Shoppers come together here on a weekly basis to buy and sell local products.

  13. Examples… • The purpose of the Vancouver Island Heritage Foodservice Co-op is to mobilize partners to rebuild local food systems in the Island Coastal region.  The co-op’s business plan includes providing distribution, warehousing, co-packing services aimed at the ‘foodservice’ market channel.   • Contending with the Local Food Access Puzzle – report • http://www.heritagefoodservice.coop/FinalReport_BCMSF.pdf

  14. O.U.R. Ecovillage • O.U.R. ECOVILLAGE Co-op is a sustainable learning community and demonstration site located in the beautiful Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

  15. Examples… • Roofs and Roots is our answer to this unnecessary housing crisis in Victoria. We are developing a new model for co-operatively owned, non-profit continuous housing. The co-op is designed to allow members, with little to no money, find a home that satisfies their individual needs and work co-operatively to purchase it.

  16. Examples… • The Kootenay Columbia Seniors Housing Cooperative (KCSHC) is a Not-For-Profit Housing Development catering to seniors seeking to live the rest of their lives in a self-governed community.

  17. Setting up your co-op The BIG Three • Do you have your Steering Committee together? • Who are your members? • How will your co-op make money?

  18. Steps to Co-op Development Group Development Needs & Opportunities Co-op Suitability Development of your Idea or Concept Determining the Co-op Structure Feasibility Study/Business Plan Incorporating your Co-op Internal Structure & Roles Maintenance, Aftercare & Growth

  19. The Co-op Advantage • Address a common need that individuals cannot meet alone • All members own and control the enterprise • Members benefit in proportion to their use of the co-operative Advantages for Members

  20. The Co-op Advantage Advantages for Communities • Provides local goods & services, stable jobs and economic opportunities • Retains wealth and control in the community • Builds local leadership & business skills • Builds communities through providing services

  21. Thank You! For more information, visit: www.bcca.coop www.coopscanada.coop

More Related