Growing a Co-op
~ building the co-operative economy
Objectives of the Session
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To give you some basic knowledge of the co-op model
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To outline the benefits of the co-op model
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To stimulate your thinking of how you might apply the
co-op model
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To outline some steps for co-op development
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To provide some examples of co-ops
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To give you an opportunity to ask questions about coops
~ building the co-operative economy
What is a co-op?
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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
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A different purpose –
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A different set of values –
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based on self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality,
equity & solidarity
A different control structure –
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co-ops care about members’ needs
each member has only one vote
A different allocation of profit –
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non-profit co-ops use surplus to increase or improve
services to clients
~ building the co-operative economy
Types of co-ops
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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.
2.
3.
Type of co-op (producer, consumer, etc)
Point on the value chain (production,
distribution, value-added, retail)
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
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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)
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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…
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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….
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The primary focus for
NOWBC Co-op’s online market is
seasonal, local,
organic foods
sourced directly from
small farms and
processors.
~ building the co-operative economy
Examples…
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Welcome to the the
Kettle Valley Food Coop’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…
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The purpose of the
Vancouver Island
Heritage Foodservice Coop 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.
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Contending with the
Local Food Access
Puzzle – report
http://www.heritagefo
odservice.coop/Final
Report_BCMSF.pdf
~ building the co-operative economy
O.U.R. Ecovillage
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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…
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Roofs and Roots is our
answer to this unnecessary
housing crisis in Victoria. We
are developing a new model
for co-operatively owned, nonprofit 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…
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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.
2.
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5.
6.
7.
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9.
Group Development
Needs & Opportunities
Co-op Suitability
Development of your Idea or Concept
Determining the Co-op Structure
Feasibility Study/Business Plan
Incorporating your Co-op
Internal Structure & Roles
Maintenance, Aftercare & Growth
~ building the co-operative economy
The Co-op Advantage
Advantages for Members
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Address a common need that individuals cannot
meet alone
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All members own and control the enterprise
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Members benefit in proportion to their use of the
co-operative
~ building the co-operative economy
The Co-op Advantage
Advantages for Communities
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Provides local goods & services, stable jobs and
economic opportunities
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Retains wealth and control in the community
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Builds local leadership & business skills
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Builds communities through providing services
~ building the co-operative economy
Thank You!
For more information, visit:
www.bcca.coop
www.coopscanada.coop
~ building the co-operative economy