2013 03 13 pfc - co-ops 101
TRANSCRIPT
NW Co-op Development Center
Co-ops 101Peoples Food Co-op
Mar. 13th, 2013
Eric Bowman, Cooperative Development [email protected]
1063 S Capitol Way # 211Olympia, WA 98501
360.943.4241
Presentation: Co-ops 1011. Intro
2. Overview and History
3. Co-op Economy and Models
4. Development Process
5. Resources
6. Q&A
NWCDCThe Center
a 501(c)3 nonprofit which provides development services for new and existing co-ops
Our mission to foster community economic development through the co-op business model
We’rea team of co-op developers with skills specific to start-up and organizational business development
Co-ops 101
Investor owned:
Sole proprietor:
Co-ops are member:◦ Owned◦ Controlled◦ Benefited
Corporate Structure
Co-op Role
U.S. Facts:– 250 purchasing co-ops procure for 50,000 businesses– 3,000 farmer co-ops market 30% of farmers’ products– 8,000 housing co-ops provide 1 m homes– 7,500 credit unions provide services to 90 m members– 1,000 rural electrics operate ½ the nation’s distribution– 29,000 co-ops serve 43% of the population
Top 100 co-ops’ 2010 revenues = $194 Billion!
Internationally Recognized Principles
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
Ownership
Member-Owners can be
– Consumers– Producers/Farmers– Workers– Other Businesses
Distributionism
Consumer◦ Credit Unions◦ Housing◦ Retail (e.g. food co-ops)◦ Farm Supply
Two Schools
Producer◦ Worker◦ Farmer◦ Artisan
Distributionism cont.
Another School…
Solidarity or Multi-Stakeholder◦ Weaver Street Market owners:◦ Workers◦ Consumers
◦ Idaho’s Bounty Co-op owners:◦ Producers◦ Consumers
Why Cooperate?
…to access resources not individually achievable
Why form an entity?
Creating:• Something bigger and beyond oneself• Economy of scale• Solid foundation for growth• Legitimacy• Commitment• Limited liability• Formal structure to work together
When not to form…
• Too small to cover admin• Dependant on volunteer and/or grant• Less than 3 members• Don’t need structure• No compelling economic need
Estimated Timeline
• 6 to 12 months (or more for each):1. Organizing
2. Planning
3. Implementation
• Total of 1 ½ to 3 years
Co-op Development Stages
• Identify a need a co-op could meet
• Form Steering Committee• Research Feasibility • Review Findings (Go/No Go)• Membership Drive• Planning and Financing• Begin Operations (Go/No Go)
Project LifecycleProject Lifecycle
Co-op Development Stages
• Identify a need a co-op could meet
• Form Steering Committee• Research Feasibility • Review Findings (Go/No Go)• Membership Drive• Planning and Financing• Begin Operations (Go/No Go)
How We Assist
• Facilitate identifying mission and goals
• Train founding Board members• Market and feasibility research• Assist with organizing• Professional, 3rd party perspective• General business consulting
Project LifecycleProject Lifecycle
Organizing• Held “go or no go” votes at every meeting
Organizing• Form committee– A “proto board”– May or may not be potential members– Role is:• Advisory• Exploratory• Planning• Networking• Visionary• Fundraising
How?
- Watershine, OPMA
How?
“…hold about 500 meetings.”
- Watershine, OPMA
Planning & Feasibility• Studying:– Technical• Location, management, etc.
– Economic/financial• Projections on profit and loss, cash flow, start up
– Market• Competition, sales, etc.
Feasibility• More risk = more complex research• Industry specific– e.g. food co-ops: market analysis
• Who wants it?– Potential members may– Lenders– Member lenders/investors
What you’re not:
What you are:…is spending your neighbor’s money!
Membership Drive Phases1. Highly motivated early adopters
2. Friends, family and fools are super easy
3. Tap out networks
4. Community organizing and it’s uphill– It’s P.R., outreach, communications, etc.– Need a plan– “Political campaign without an election”
Resources1. How to Start a Food Co-op; CGIN
2. How to Start a Cooperative; USDA
3. The Worker Cooperative Toolbox; NCDF
• Resources/toolboxes– Food Co-op Initiative– US Federation of Worker Co-ops
• Magazines– Cooperative Grocer– The Cooperator; Co-op and Condo monthly
Thank You!
Eric [email protected]
Northwest Cooperative Development Center1063 Capitol Way S # 211 Olympia, WA 98501
360.943.4241 | www.nwcdc.coop
Fostering community economic development through the cooperative business model