1. bcics.uvic.ca 1 EFFECTIVE PRACTICES IN DEVELOPING CO-OPS

2. bcics.uvic.ca 2 BC Institute for Co-operative Studies

3. bcics.uvic.ca 3 PURPOSE To explore effective practices in starting new co-ops by documenting the knowledge and insights gleaned from a broad sample of experienced co-operative developers. To explore effective practices in starting new co-ops by documenting the knowledge and insights gleaned from a broad sample of experienced co-operative developers. In particular the focus will be on the formative period of co-operative development – from conception to stabilization. In particular the focus will be on the formative period of co-operative development – from conception to stabilization.

4. bcics.uvic.ca 4 PHASE ONE  Began December 2005  Objective in Phase One – Bring together a group of peer-nominated co-op developers from across the country  Call for nominations  Came together in May of 2006

5. bcics.uvic.ca 5 QUESTIONS  What are effective practices in the start of new co-ops?  What are the crucial issues in the start-up phase?  What factors hinder the growth of new co-ops?  What factors lead to their success?

6. bcics.uvic.ca 6 THEMES  From Best  Effective Practices  From Micro  Macro  Who are the real developers?  Language  community developers – co-op proponents  Some Themes:  Community, Developer’s Role, Stages, Process & Challenges, Role of Other Players, Context

7. bcics.uvic.ca 7 OUTCOMES  A Book on Effective Practices in Starting Co-ops  A Video  Web Tools and Resources  Each developer to write an article on an aspect of co-op development for which they had some expertise and a passion

8. bcics.uvic.ca 8 PHASE TWO  Writing  Survey  Daniel Côté – interviews with 8 co-op development experts in Québec  Eighteen other interviews  Critical Issues  Effective Solutions  Other Issues, Roles Played & Counsel for other Developers

9. bcics.uvic.ca 9 CRITICAL ISSUES  CONTEXT  SUPPORT FOR DEVELOPERS  VALUES & PRINCIPLES “values & principles relate to everything”“values & principles relate to everything” “about human and spiritual development”“about human and spiritual development”  CONCEPTUALIZATION  PROCESS

10. bcics.uvic.ca 10 CRITICAL ISSUES  GROUP PROCESSES “misconception on what a co-op is”“misconception on what a co-op is” “a team that is committed and passionate”“a team that is committed and passionate”  GOVERNANCE “people do not get it until things go wrong”“people do not get it until things go wrong”  MEMBER EDUCATION  SPONSOR ORGANIZATION

11. bcics.uvic.ca 11 CRITICAL ISSUES  FINANCIAL 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 littleA 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

12. bcics.uvic.ca 12 CRITICAL ISSUES  LEADERSHIP “one member can cause a lot of havoc”“one member can cause a lot of havoc”  MANAGEMENT  PARTNERING  ROLE 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

13. bcics.uvic.ca 13 CRITICAL ISSUES  GOVERNMENT  CO-OP PROMOTION Need to act with one voiceNeed to act with one voice Need to develop a national co-op development strategyNeed to develop a national co-op development strategy

14. bcics.uvic.ca 14 Developers on Developing: Effective Practices in Starting New Co-operatives Due out in August of 2007

15. bcics.uvic.ca 15 Thank You For more information email Thank You For more information email joybcics@uvic.ca