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This project aims to explore effective practices in starting new co-ops by gathering insights from experienced co-operative developers across Canada. It focuses on the formative period of co-operative development, from conception to stabilization, to identify crucial issues and success factors. The outcomes include a book, video, web tools, and individual articles by developers. Critical issues examined encompass context, support for developers, values and principles, governance, member education, financial aspects, leadership, management, partnering, and the role of other co-ops in creating a movement for social change. Scheduled for release in August 2007. For more information, contact joybcics@uvic.ca.
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EFFECTIVE PRACTICES IN DEVELOPING CO-OPS
bcics.uvic.ca 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. In particular the focus will be on the formative period of co-operative development – from conception to stabilization.
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
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?
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
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
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
CRITICAL ISSUES • CONTEXT • SUPPORT FOR DEVELOPERS • VALUES & PRINCIPLES • “values & principles relate to everything” • “about human and spiritual development” • CONCEPTUALIZATION • PROCESS
CRITICAL ISSUES • GROUP PROCESSES • “misconception on what a co-op is” • “a team that is committed and passionate” • GOVERNANCE • “people do not get it until things go wrong” • MEMBER EDUCATION • SPONSOR ORGANIZATION
CRITICAL ISSUES • FINANCIAL • Solid business plan – BP is a road map • Importance of sound financial administration • Co-op book-keeping practices • A lot can be done with a little • Tips on finding resources • Helping co-ops find funding • Importance of hiring a developer • Need for a co-op development fund
CRITICAL ISSUES • LEADERSHIP • “one member can cause a lot of havoc” • MANAGEMENT • PARTNERING • ROLE OF OTHER CO-OPS • Creating a Movement • Grounded in Social Change • Role of Regional Co-op Councils • 1 % Plan
CRITICAL ISSUES • GOVERNMENT • CO-OP PROMOTION • Need to act with one voice • Need to develop a national co-op development strategy
Developers on Developing: Effective Practices in Starting New Co-operatives Due out in August of 2007
