Economic Development on First Nation: Chief Darcy Bear
Whitecap Dakota First Nation has achieved immense economic growth in the past 30 years. In this fascinating episode, Chief Darcy Bear talks about the success…
Read More5 things a board needs to do once their co-op is up and running
Incorporating is a big step for a co-op. It makes the business a legal entity, allows it to open a bank account, sell memberships, and…
Read MoreDoing the right thing: the Conexus Kindness Capital Fund
Displays of kindness were quietly taking place throughout the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some people gathered food for those in need. Local…
Read MoreHow Co-op helped western Canadians get into the giving spirit
December is a special time of the year — the giving season. It’s a time when organizations, businesses, corporations, and even families and individuals give…
Read MoreHand in Glove Co-op Weaves a Thread through Communities
Photos taken in 2019, and provided by Hand in Glove Community Service Co-op From the outside of a stalwart brick church in the north…
Read MoreHow small towns create the services they need
Big changes are happening in small towns. Baby Boomers are approaching retirement. Urban amenities, career advancement, and higher wages are pulling many young people away…
Read MoreStarting a co-op? Do a business model canvas
A successful business doesn’t just happen. Like a garden, a healthy business requires planning, nurturing, and a hospitable environment. It also requires experimentation, adaptation, and…
Read MoreAsk the Expert: Managing HR ‘hotspots’
Welcome to our “Ask the Expert” series for co-op start-ups. In this guest blog post, Michele Hengen from People First HR Services discusses three Human…
Read MoreModo Carshare Co-op: Caring during a crisis
When the pandemic started, Modo Carshare Co-op‘s business took a big hit. But by focusing on what was best for their members and staff, the…
Read MoreAt-Risk Together: a co-operative school for immunocompromised kids
This year parents had a difficult decision: send their kids to school or keep them home? While a first for most parents, it’s nothing new…
Read More5 Governance Lessons We Can Learn From A Failed Co-op
Governance lessons come from many places. Sports. Family. Canoeing. The analogies are endless. But real-life business failures offer the best sources. Because failure — especially…
Read MoreA delicate balance: how to form a Dream Team board
Photo by Jon Flobrant on Unsplash It’s common knowledge that a board of directors should include members with a mix of skills and experience. Every…
Read MoreHow to Wear Two Hats: A Co-op Governance Challenge
Photo by Joshua Coleman on Unsplash You’ve probably heard someone say they “wear a lot of hats.” For people serving on a co-op board of directors,…
Read MoreHow to be a kick-ass co-op board chair
Photo by Luz Fuertes on Unsplash Want to be a kick-ass board chair? Start the Good Governance Matters course today! Every board needs a…
Read MoreThe Common Share: Good Governance Matters with Dr. Murray Fulton
What are the secrets to good co-operative governance? Dr. Murray Fulton and his colleagues at the Canadian Centre for the Study of Co-operatives have identified…
Read More3 Ways to Show Leadership in the “New Normal”
Photo by Mathias Jensen on Unsplash With the ongoing public health crisis, co-op leaders — like other business leaders — have faced the enormous…
Read MoreHow two consulting co-operatives embrace “Millennial values”
Photo courtesy of Co+Host Collective The word “Millennial” has come to mean “change” in business circles in recent years. And while discussions around these changes…
Read MoreWhat is limited liability, and why is it important?
Photo by Loic Leray on Unsplash When deciding whether to start a co-op, people’s first question is often about risk. How much risk am I…
Read MoreWho pays the bill? Co-op start-up capital
When you’re at a pub with friends, and the waiter brings the cheque, what do you do? Do you split the bill evenly? Pay the…
Read MoreBreaking New Ground: Talking co-ops with Kristen Wittman
Read More5 Reasons Co-ops Need Profit
It’s a misconception that co-ops don’t have or need profit. In fact, it’s just as important for co-ops to be profitable as other types…
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