The Art and Science of Starting a Cooperative Business
The CooperationWorks! Cooperative Business Development Training Program is a rigorous course for participants to develop the skills to start a new cooperative and assist groups to start new cooperative enterprises. The curriculum includes:
The key steps of effective cooperative business development
The unique aspects of cooperative finance, law, governance and management
The essential tools for group ownership in building long-term success
Financial analysis and pro forma financial statements for new co-ops
This program has been designed to deliver the best of what has been learned in the field of cooperative business development. It consists of three intensive five-day sessions emphasizing the practical application of cooperative business development skills.
A registration form for the upcoming April 2013 Session Two training can be found here
The Art & Science of Starting a Cooperative Business
Session One: The Steps to Start a New Cooperative Business
Lowell Center, University of Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin
September 17-21, 2012
Session Two: Key Ingredients for New Cooperative Business Success
Lowell Center, University of Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin
April 1-5, 2013
Session Three: Financial Analysis for New Cooperatives
On-Line Training Program
Summer, 2013
At the conclusion of the program participants will be prepared to develop a new cooperative business from inception through feasibility analysis, business planning, incorporation, capitalization, membership development, business launch and on-going operational stability and success.
The program courses may be taken in any order. Participation in the program is limited; registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more information contact Audrey Malan at 307-655-9162 or cw@vcn.com.
CooperationWorks! Professional Development Training Program
The Art and Science of Starting a Cooperative Business
Sessions One, Two and Three
Program Descriptions
Session One: The Steps to Start a New Cooperative Business
September 17-21, 2012, Madison, Wisconsin
The first session in the program covers the skills and key development steps for the successful development of cooperative businesses. The program will include interactive sessions, case studies and tours to local co-ops to detail the practical applications of the developmental steps and methodologies. Areas of study in Session One of the training and certification program include:
Cooperative History and Principles
Comparative Business Models
The Critical Steps of Co-op Development
Feasibility Analysis
Business Planning
Building Stakeholder Capacity
Governance and Oversight
Case Study Analysis
Session Two: Key Ingredients for New Cooperative Business Success
April 1-5, 2013
Madison, Wisconsin
The second session in the program examines the unique aspects of cooperative enterprises and the building of effective group capacity for the long-term success of the enterprise. Break-out case studies will track the practical applications of the methodologies in four existing cooperative businesses. Areas of study in Session Two of the training and certification program include:
Co-op Legal Structures and Taxation
Co-op Finance, Equity and Capitalization
Group Decision Making and Strategic Planning
Co-op Management Oversight
Keys to Achieving Operational Success
Session Three: Financial Analysis for Cooperative Start-Ups
Summer, 2013
On-Line Training Program
The third session in the program examines the financial modeling and analysis process involved in conducting feasibility studies and business plans for start-up cooperatives. Each student will complete a set of pro forma financial statements for a new cooperative business. Areas of study in Session Three of the training and certification program include:
Components of financial analysis for start-up businesses
Financial success including liquidity, profitability and solvency
Revenue models, income statements, balance sheets and cash flow analysis
Financial projections and ratio analysis
Certification
Certification is available for participants who attend Sessions One, Two
and achieve a passing score in Session Three. Participants must pre-register for certification with CooperationWorks!
Course Tuition
Session Two, April 1-5, 2013
Members of CooperationWorks!
Session Two Tuition: $ 900
Session Two Single Room & Board: $ 750 Double Room & Board $ 500
Session Two Total: Single: $1650 Double: $1400
Non-Members of CooperationWorks!
Session Two Tuition: $1,300
Session Two Single Room & Board: $ 750 Double Room & Board $ 500
Session Two Total: Single: $2,050 Double: $1800
A limited number of partial scholarships are available. All participants interested in the program are encouraged to apply.
Program Schedule
Session Two, April 1-5, 2013
Session Two will begin at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, April 1, 2012 and end at noon on Friday, April 5. The daily program will run from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (except on Friday) with informal optional evening events.
Session Two: Meals and Accommodations
All training sessions, meals and lodging will take place at the Lowell Center in Madison, Wisconsin:
The Lowell Center
University of Wisconsin-Extension
610 Langdon Street
Madison, WI 53703-1104
Front Desk: 608-256-2621; Fax: 608-262-5445;lowell@ecc.uwex.edu
CooperationWorks! will reserve rooms directly with the Lowell Center for program participants. Lodging will be from Sunday evening through Friday morning.
Program meals included are breakfast daily, lunch Monday through Thursday, dinner Monday through Wednesday. Participants will have Thursday evening free to dine in one of the many fine local restaurants.
Enrollment and Registration
Enrollment in the CooperationWorks! training program is limited and will be on a first come, first served basis. Registration will be confirmed when full payment is received.
Participants may pre-register by emailing the Registration Form to cw@vcn.com.
Session Two: Travel Options and Directions
Travel arrangements are to be made individually and paid for by participants. Please plan to arrive the Sunday evening prior to the Session One starting date, as classes begin at 8:00 am on the first day of the training program. The Session ends at noon on Friday.
Participants may fly directly into Madison, WI or nearby Milwaukee, or Midway or O’Hare airports in Chicago, IL and go by land from there. The Badger Busline runs from the airport in Chicago to a few blocks from the Lowell Center in Madison. Visit O’Hare International Airport or Midway International Airport websites for information on taxi or car rental service.
The airport in Madison is a short distance from the downtown campus and the Lowell Conference Center. Taxi service is available for the 20-minute ride for about $25 – we recommend Union Cab, a worker owned cooperative. Local bus service from the airport is not available.
CooperationWorks!
CooperationWorks! is a national cooperative of cooperative business development centers and practitioners. Members provide expertise across all aspects of cooperative development, including feasibility analysis, business plan development, training and education. By sharing their knowledge through CooperationWorks!, members maximize resources, avoid duplication and bring the greatest benefit to the communities they serve. To find out more about CW visit: www.cooperationworks.coop
A registration form for the upcoming April training can be found here