Western Economic Diversification - Co-op Creator

Early Stages

Choosing a business structure: A questionnaire How to name your co-op: a by-province guide How to start a co-operative: a step-by-step guide Creating an action plan What is a steering committee, and what does it do? Transitioning a Business to a Co-operative Co-operative Members and Governance Choosing a Co-op Type Hosting a Community Meeting Focusing Ideas for Your Co-operative Co-operative Business Model Comparison with Other Models Building Consensus

Incorporating

A Guide to writing Rules of Association in BC Guide to Writing a Financial Plan

A Guide to writing co-op bylaws in Manitoba

Guide to writing Bylaws in Saskatchewan

Guide to Federal Bylaws

Choosing a ‘Co-op Type’ and its Impact on Your Business Incorporating a co-op in Western Canada — a provincial comparison Incorporation time frame Articles and bylaws (video) Choosing a name (video) Why should you incorporate your co-op? (video) Shaping your Co-op’s Identity Incorporation Checklist

Business Planning

Risk Identification and Management Legal Risks for Co-op Start Ups Do a PESTLE Analysis How to find new co-op members How to create a governance structure Creating a Preliminary Budget — A Guide Building a Business Model Canvas Why create a business plan? (video) Roles and Responsibilities Business Planning Pitch Practice How to allocate your co-op’s profits Co-operative Members and Governance

Financing

How to handle share capital in a co-op Debt vs Equity (video) Tax Treatment of Co-operative Businesses Ongoing Capitalization Guide to Writing a Financial Plan Financing your Co-operative Business Budgeting and Co-operatives

Up and Running

Three AGM Resolutions Every Co-op Needs for their Annual General Meeting What you need to know for your first AGM How to Waive an Audit Sample Board Duties How to Build a Board Calendar How to write a Board of Directors’ Code of Conduct Write a compliance checklist How to issue dividends Creating a Terms of Reference Creating a Strategic Plan Creating a Human Resources Policy Free Online Governance Course Creating a Conflict of Interest Policy Board of Directors Evaluations Board Member Recruitment Board Decision-Making Exercise How to allocate your co-op’s profits

How to write a Board of Directors’ Code of Conduct Write a compliance checklist

Board Governance Tips for Indigenous Co-operatives Sample Bookkeeper Contract How to write a Board of Directors’ Code of Conduct Write a compliance checklist How to issue dividends Sample Co-op Equity Statement A Guide to Co-operative Insurance How to Read Financial Statements Keeping track of members in a co-op Everything you need to know about managing records Member Engagement and Onboarding Guidelines for co-operative elections Filing your Annual Return Co-operative Annual General Meetings Ongoing Capitalization How to allocate your co-op’s profits

Additional Resources

Co-ops and charitable status

Back

Western Economic Diversification

Western Economic Diversification (WED) is a government department that falls under the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Economic development. WED is mandated to diversify and strengthen the western economies of Canada by enhancing innovation, community, and business development. The department offer a variety of funding programs and regularly issues a call for proposals for their Western Diversification Program that is currently focused on supporting Indigenous economic growth and clean technology. Learn more about Western Economic Diversification.

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