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EFFECTIVE PRACTICES EFFECTIVE PRACTICES

ININ

DEVELOPING CO-OPSDEVELOPING CO-OPS

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BC Institute for BC Institute for Co-operative StudiesCo-operative Studies

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PURPOSEPURPOSE

To explore effective practices in To explore effective practices in starting new co-ops by documenting starting new co-ops by documenting the knowledge and insights gleaned the knowledge and insights gleaned from a broad sample of experienced from a broad sample of experienced co-operative developers. co-operative developers.

In particular the focus will be on the In particular the focus will be on the formative period of co-operative formative period of co-operative development – from conception to development – from conception to stabilization. stabilization.

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PHASE ONEPHASE ONE

Began December 2005Began December 2005 Objective in Phase One – Bring Objective in Phase One – Bring

together a group of peer-nominated together a group of peer-nominated co-op developers from across the co-op developers from across the countrycountry

Call for nominationsCall for nominations Came together in May of 2006Came together in May of 2006

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QUESTIONSQUESTIONS

What are effective practices in the What are effective practices in the start of new co-ops?start of new co-ops?

What are the crucial issues in the What are the crucial issues in the start-up phase?start-up phase?

What factors hinder the growth of What factors hinder the growth of new co-ops?new co-ops?

What factors lead to their success?What factors lead to their success?

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THEMESTHEMES

From Best From Best Effective Practices Effective Practices From Micro From Micro Macro Macro Who are the real developers?Who are the real developers? Language Language

community developers – co-op proponentscommunity developers – co-op proponents

Some Themes:Some Themes: Community, Developer’s Role, Stages, Community, Developer’s Role, Stages,

Process & Challenges, Role of Other Process & Challenges, Role of Other Players, ContextPlayers, Context

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OUTCOMESOUTCOMES

A Book on Effective Practices in A Book on Effective Practices in Starting Co-opsStarting Co-ops

A VideoA Video Web Tools and ResourcesWeb Tools and Resources Each developer to write an article on Each developer to write an article on

an aspect of co-op development for an aspect of co-op development for which they had some expertise and a which they had some expertise and a passion passion

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PHASE TWOPHASE TWO

WritingWriting Survey Survey Daniel Côté – interviews with 8 co-op Daniel Côté – interviews with 8 co-op

development experts in Québec development experts in Québec Eighteen other interviewsEighteen other interviews

Critical IssuesCritical IssuesEffective SolutionsEffective SolutionsOther Issues, Roles Played & Counsel for Other Issues, Roles Played & Counsel for

other Developersother Developers

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CRITICAL ISSUESCRITICAL ISSUES

CONTEXTCONTEXT SUPPORT FOR DEVELOPERSSUPPORT FOR DEVELOPERS VALUES & PRINCIPLESVALUES & PRINCIPLES

• ““values & principles relate to values & principles relate to everything”everything”

• ““about human and spiritual about human and spiritual development”development”

CONCEPTUALIZATIONCONCEPTUALIZATION PROCESSPROCESS

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CRITICAL ISSUESCRITICAL ISSUES

GROUP PROCESSESGROUP PROCESSES• ““misconception on what a co-op is”misconception on what a co-op is”• ““a team that is committed and a team that is committed and

passionate”passionate” GOVERNANCEGOVERNANCE

• ““people do not get it until things go people do not get it until things go wrong”wrong”

MEMBER EDUCATIONMEMBER EDUCATION SPONSOR ORGANIZATIONSPONSOR ORGANIZATION

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CRITICAL ISSUESCRITICAL ISSUES

FINANCIALFINANCIAL• Solid business plan – BP is a road mapSolid business plan – BP is a road map• Importance of sound financial administrationImportance of sound financial administration• Co-op book-keeping practicesCo-op book-keeping practices• A lot can be done with a little A lot can be done with a little • Tips on finding resourcesTips on finding resources• Helping co-ops find fundingHelping co-ops find funding• Importance of hiring a developerImportance of hiring a developer• Need for a co-op development fundNeed for a co-op development fund

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CRITICAL ISSUESCRITICAL ISSUES

LEADERSHIPLEADERSHIP• ““one member can cause a lot of havoc”one member can cause a lot of havoc”

MANAGEMENTMANAGEMENT PARTNERINGPARTNERING ROLE OF OTHER CO-OPSROLE OF OTHER CO-OPS

• Creating a MovementCreating a Movement• Grounded in Social ChangeGrounded in Social Change• Role of Regional Co-op CouncilsRole of Regional Co-op Councils• 1 % Plan1 % Plan

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CRITICAL ISSUESCRITICAL ISSUES

GOVERNMENTGOVERNMENT CO-OP PROMOTIONCO-OP PROMOTION

• Need to act with one voiceNeed to act with one voice• Need to develop a national co-op Need to develop a national co-op

development strategydevelopment strategy

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Developers on Developing: Developers on Developing: Effective Practices in Starting Effective Practices in Starting

New Co-operativesNew Co-operatives

Due out in August of 2007Due out in August of 2007

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Thank YouThank You

For more information email For more information email joybcics@uvic.ca