~ 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 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 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

~ 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 odservice.coop/Final Report_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: