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

~ building the co-operative economy

Growing a Co-op

Presenter — Carol MurrayBC Co-operative Association

Powell River ~ February 9, 2011

~ building the co-operative economy

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

~ building the co-operative economy

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

~ building the co-operative economy

The Co-operative PrinciplesSeven 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

~ building the co-operative economy

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

~ building the co-operative economy

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

~ building the co-operative economy

Local Food Co-ops — Opportunities – 3 considerations

1. Type of co-op (producer, consumer, etc)

2. Point on the value chain (production, distribution, value-added, retail)

3. Social issues (poverty, malnourishment, peak oil, food safety, farm income crisis, high cost of agricultural land, barriers to food distribution, working conditions/wages)

~ building the co-operative economy

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

~ building the co-operative economy

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

~ building the co-operative economy

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.

~ building the co-operative economy

Examples….

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

~ building the co-operative economy

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.

~ building the co-operative economy

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

~ building the co-operative economy

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.

~ building the co-operative economy

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.

~ building the co-operative economy

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.

~ building the co-operative economy

Setting up your co-op

The BIG Three

1. Do you have your Steering Committee together?

2. Who are your members?

3. How will your co-op make money?

~ building the co-operative economy

Steps to Co-op Development

1. Group Development

2. Needs & Opportunities

3. Co-op Suitability

4. Development of your Idea or Concept

5. Determining the Co-op Structure

6. Feasibility Study/Business Plan

7. Incorporating your Co-op

8. Internal Structure & Roles

9. Maintenance, Aftercare & Growth

~ building the co-operative economy

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

~ building the co-operative economy

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

~ building the co-operative economy

Thank You!

For more information, visit:

www.bcca.coop

www.coopscanada.coop