Thoughts and success stories

  Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash Across Canada, provinces are relaxing restrictions on businesses, after three months of social distancing measures. As businesses start…

During a crisis, an organization’s decision-making process is put to the test. While there is no template for how best to manage a crisis, a…

  Click here to download our Guide to Online Meetings Hosting online meetings complicates things, but it’s not impossible. Numerous online platforms and conference call…

Even under normal circumstances, member engagement can be tricky. Co-ops are always looking for effective ways to get members involved. At the moment, though, engaging…

Community Investment Co-ops are an exciting way to support community development. They allow people to invest their money in local businesses and initiatives. A CIC…

  Every co-op is governed by a board made up of member shareholders, and these directors generally bring different skills and experience to the table. Typically,…

Collecting charitable donations is a popular way to raise funds. Money is always better when you don’t have to pay it back, right? Maybe. But…

Very few people look forward to attending an Annual General Meeting (AGM). Unless you’re part of a small employee-owned co-operative, the percentage of member shareholders…

Having to refer to “The Act” is often an unpleasant (but necessary) process for those starting or running a co-op. Let’s look at how to…

Starting a new co-op is exciting, rewarding, and can have far-reaching benefits. It also takes a lot of work. Many business ideas struggle to get…

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Yes, the holiday season — but it’s also time for co-ops to think about audits. Okay, maybe…

“[Incorporating a co-op] was a process that really was not that difficult once we had some guidance.” – Maggie Bluewaters, the Food Forest and Learning…

In this episode, Kyle, Dan, and Aasa discuss what membership engagement looks like for co-operatives, given how many different types of co-ops – and different…

This episode kicks off our four-part series on co-operative governance with Co-operatives First’s Executive Director Audra Krueger. Kyle, Aasa, and Audra talk about why people…

Most co-ops have, at some point or another, encountered difficulties getting their members involved in the organization. Low engagement can reveal itself in a variety…

Naming a co-operative can be one of the more enjoyable parts of incorporating a co-operative. The naming process sometimes even piques the interest of those…

It’s the most wonderful time of the year – AGM season! Co-operatives and credit unions will soon be issuing notices to shareholders and members of…

Set aside personal biases As a director, all the decisions you make at the board table should be in the best interest of the organization….

Opportunity costs Taking an opportunity from idea to reality requires time and resources. It also shuts the door on what might have been had you…

If you are interested in buying into co-operative housing, you may be wondering how it works. Affordability is one of the key characteristics of co-operative housing….

A few things shareholders, members and directors can do to help make their co-op more successful.