Group Development
MOVING BEYOND THE IDEA STAGE
Your first task is to find other people in your community.
To start a co-operative you need at least five members (three, if it is a worker co-operative). Obviously, the more people you have interested in your co-op idea the better. Spread the word. Read the papers. Check out economic development offices near you. Talk to other people with similar needs.
'Community' can be defined in a variety of ways - geography, workplace, common need, religious or other grouping of people. Think about your community. Where is it? Who is it? Local ethnic, trade, union, religious, cultural, or educational groups and organizations may be a source of support, inspiration and members. It could be that your community has a need which could be served by forming a co-operative.
Sometimes it may be hard to find other people who have similar interests or ideas. It may also be difficult to find the support you need. It is important for you and for the co-operative to have a support network within your community and within the co-op sector. If you are having trouble, contact a co-op federation related to your type of co-operative. They will help you to link up with a local or provincial co-op group or federation. They might know of people, resources, other co-ops and organizations in your own community that can help you.
Many co-op federations offer consulting and business development services. They will be able to answer your questions and help to point you in the right direction. Don't forget that On Co-op works with developing and emerging co-operatives, too!
The Financial Services Commission of Ontario has prepared a booklet on the steps required to set up a co-op in Ontario.
Click here to view (27 pages, PDF format. (Note - contact information contained in the appendices may be out-of-date.)
You may also want to look at the Co-op Development Links and Resources page, which is a list of interesting web-based resources on co-op development that are updated on a regular basis.
