Learning objectives: the Food Co-op 500 Development Model: Four Cornerstones in Three Stages how the four cornerstones can be developed through the start up process the importance, the sequence and the road map offered by the three stages Related links: Click here for article on the Four Cornerstones in Three Stages model Click here for information the Cooperative Principles
This presentation will help you to understand what needs to be in place for a new food co-op to succeed and how to plan your organizing and development efforts effectively.
By Bill Gessner 129 march - april - 2007 Where we gonna get the grubstake? The 300 food co-op stores in the United States, owned by more than 400,000 consumers, face the continuing challenge of building capital if they are going to continue to grow and develop to serve their members and communities. As much as we might want to ignore this challenge, co-ops [...]
By Bill Gessner 099 March - April - 2002 You have successfully navigated the stormy waters of a relocation/expansion project. Your co-op has proudly opened the new store amidst celebration, praise, relief, adrenaline and exhaustion. At this common juncture, I have had the privilege of being able to offer a number of co-ops a bit of needed but unwelcome advice: Now the real work [...]
By Bill Gessner 086 January - February - 2000 Cooperatives need to pursue debt capital from members through the creation of member loan programs and member loan drives. The purpose of this article is to suggest some of the basic principles and organizing strategies that underlie a successful cooperative member loan program. However, this article is in no way an offering of or a [...]
By Mary Myers, Walden Swanson 038 January - February - 1992 Editor's note: This article is the first in a series of three articles on Business Plans for co-ops. Has your co-op ever produced a business plan and then not known what to do with it? Have you seen your co-op's business plan sit on the bookshelf and collect dust? Have you ever [...]
