Maintenance
The task of starting your co-operative may be over, but surviving and growing are challenges you will always face. Your co-operative will have to maintain quality services and products and grow financially. You will need to continue learning about co-operatives and co-operation if your co-operative is to flourish.
CO-OPERATION AMONG CO-OPERATIVES
On Co-op, co-op and sector federations and local organizations often provide education and training services to their members through conferences, workshops, publications and sometimes with visits to your co-operative. Each federation has its own program of services, which range from board training, member education and government relations, to workshops on financial management, legislation, and how to develop education plans... the programs are wide and varied. Some are part of your member fees and some have an extra fee.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE
Associations such as On Co-op invite co-ops to come together to Network, Share, Discuss and Learn. Take advantage of those opportunities! Remember - co-ops are strengthened by working together. Other co-op and credit union sector organizations may be able to offer support, financing or services through possible joint ventures or as a market for your own co-op's services and products. You in turn may be able to provide the same for other co-ops.
For information on other co-op organizations, visit the Links, Funders and Member pages of the On Co-op website.
SUSTAIN YOUR CO-OP
These ongoing initiatives will strengthen your co-op. On Co-op provides programs and services in many of these areas.
- Board of Director training and education
- Member training and education
- Co-operative education of staff, members and the community
- Increasing or strengthening your services or products
- Finding ways to grow financially
- Possible joint projects or activities with other co-ops locally and provincially, nationally and internationally
- Networking with other co-op organizations
- Government relations
Click here to learn about building healthy co-op communities.
To become successful - and remain successful, also consider...
- Meet a real need for the members
- Recruit and maintain a strong, experienced, well-rounded Board of Directors
- Recruit and maintain competent, experienced management and employees
- Define clear lines of responsibility and matching accountability
Ensure timely and accurate financial accounting and information systems - Conserve cash and build member equity
- Commit resources to member & employee education; social & environmental objectives
