Early Stages

Building Consensus Business Model Comparison Choosing a Co-op Type Focusing Ideas Hosting a Meeting Shareholders and Governance in Co-operatives Transitioning a business to a co-operative

Incorporating

A Guide to writing Rules of Association in BC

Guide to Federal Bylaws

A Guide to writing bylaws in Manitoba

Guide to writing Bylaws in Saskatchewan

Articles & bylaws (video) Choosing a name (video) Guide to Writing Articles of Incorporation Incorporation Checklist Incorporation time frame Provincial comparison Shaping your Co-operative’s Identity Why incorporate? (video)

Business Planning

Allocating Surplus in a Co-operative Business Business Planning Pitch Practice Co-operative Business Planning Guide Focusing Ideas Roles and Responsibilities Shaping your Co-operative’s Identity Shareholders and Governance in Co-operatives Why create a business plan? (video)

Financing

Budgeting and Co-operatives Debt vs Equity (video) Financing your Co-operative Business Guide to Writing a Financial Plan Ongoing Capitalization Tax Treatment of Co-operative Businesses

Up and Running

Being a Board Member in a Co-operative Business Board Decision-Making Exercise Board Member Recruitment Board of Directors Evaluation Creating a Conflict of Interest Policy Creating a Human Resources Policy Creating a Strategic Plan Creating a Terms of Reference Online Governance Course

Allocating Surplus in a Co-operative Business Annual Meetings and Co-operatives Filing your Annual Return Guidelines for co-operative elections Member Onboarding and Engagement Ongoing Capitalization

Additional Resources

Co-ops and charitable status

Back

Why incorporate? (video)

Incorporating a business is the process of creating a legally recognized entity separate from any one individual in the eyes of the government, lenders, and other businesses. It can be a lot of work. This video explains why it’s worth the effort.

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Blog

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Success stories, interesting co-op trivia, interviews and more highlighting growing and thriving rural and Indigenous businesses, economies and communities across western Canada.

Resources

Free Resources

A growing library of tools and resources designed to support independent co-operative business development.
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Advice

Expert Advice

Stories and interviews from business, economic and community development professionals across western Canada and beyond.