Additional Resources Archives

Early Stages

How to start a co-operative: a step-by-step guide Creating an action plan What a steering committee is and does Choosing a business structure: A questionnaire How to name your co-op: a by-province guide Transitioning a Business to a Co-operative Co-operative Shareholders 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

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

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 Risk Identification and Management Legal Risks for Co-op Start Ups Why create a business plan? (video) Roles and Responsibilities Business Planning Pitch Practice Allocating Surplus in a Co-operative Business Co-operative Shareholders 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 Creating a Terms of Reference Creating a Strategy 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

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

Additional Resources

Co-ops and charitable status

Charitable status is a legal designation granted by the federal government to organizations that apply and…

Government of Canada Information Guide on Co-operatives

The Federal government maintains an information guide on co-operatives and key legislative provisions from each provincial…

Guide to starting a renewable energy co-op

Thinking about starting a renewable energy co-op? Download this great toolkit from the Solar Energy Service…

Big Co-operatives

Big co-operatives often look for opportunities to invest in the communities they serve through business advice,…

Western Economic Diversification

Western Economic Diversification (WED) is a government department that falls under the Ministry of Innovation, Science…

Provincial Co-operative Associations

The provincial co-operative associations are co-op coalitions in their respective provinces that work towards improving the…

Provincial Business Development Centres

Funded by Western Economic Diversification, the four business information centres in each province provide a variety…

BDC’s financial planning tool

Is your financial management sound? Does it include regular financial planning and budgeting? Is the full…

BDC’s entrepreneur toolkit

To succeed today you need to have sound business sense and a set of practical tools….

Guide to building an Opportunity Development Co-operative

The Alberta Community and Co-operative Association works for the development and promotion of co-operatives across Alberta….

Community Futures Network

The Community Futures network consists of over 268 local non-profits across rural Canada that provides development…

Futurpreneur’s general tools, tips, and resources for entrepreneurs

Explore Futurpreneur’s resources by topic for both entrepreneur’s and mentors.

Futurpreneur Canada Cash Flow Template

The Futurpreneur Canada Cash Flow Template is here to help you outline your start up costs,…

Co-operatives First

Providing co-op development services to the four western provinces, Co-operatives First has the supports, resources, and…

Already know what you’re looking for?

Co-ops and charitable status

Government of Canada Information Guide on Co-operatives

Guide to starting a renewable energy co-op

Big Co-operatives

Western Economic Diversification

Provincial Co-operative Associations

Provincial Business Development Centres

BDC’s financial planning tool

BDC’s entrepreneur toolkit

Guide to building an Opportunity Development Co-operative

Community Futures Network

Futurpreneur’s general tools, tips, and resources for entrepreneurs

Futurpreneur Canada Cash Flow Template

Co-operatives First

Business resources make life easier

Already know what you’re looking for?

Co-ops and charitable status

Government of Canada Information Guide on Co-operatives

Guide to starting a renewable energy co-op

Big Co-operatives

Western Economic Diversification

Provincial Co-operative Associations

Provincial Business Development Centres

BDC’s financial planning tool

BDC’s entrepreneur toolkit

Guide to building an Opportunity Development Co-operative

Community Futures Network

Futurpreneur’s general tools, tips, and resources for entrepreneurs

Futurpreneur Canada Cash Flow Template

Co-operatives First

Business resources make life easier

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