Supports for Co-operative Development Archives

Early Stages

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? 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 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

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 How to write a value proposition Do a PESTLE Analysis How to find new co-op members 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

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 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 How to write a communication plan A Guide to Co-operative Insurance 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

Goparity Pacific Economic Development Canada Co-ops and charitable status Prairies Economic Development Canada

Futurpreneur

Futurpreneur has been fueling the entrepreneurial passions of Canada’s young enterprise for two decades. They are…

Start Up Canada

Start Up Canada helps every entrepreneur by connecting local ecosystems from coast to coast to coast,…

Manitoba Chamber of Commerce

MB Chamber engages member chambers and corporate partners to work together and present a unified voice…

Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce

The Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce represents the Saskatchewan business community, advocating on behalf of all sizes…

Alberta Chamber of Commerce

The Alberta Chambers of Commerce (ACC) is a voluntary federation of independent Chambers of Commerce and…

BC Chamber of Commerce

The BC Chamber of Commerce is the largest and most broadly-based business organization in B.C. They…

Saskatchewan Indigenous Enterprise Foundation

SIEF offers commercial and agriculture lending and business consulting services. Located in Saskatoon, on the Asimakaniseekan…

Clarence Campeau Development Fund

The first stop for Métis entrepreneurs and communities in Saskatchewan. They leverage relationships with funding partners,…

Gabriel Dumont Institute (SK)

GDI’s Pathways program provides unique supports to Métis entrepreneurs who are looking to create, maintain, or…

World Trade Centre Winnipeg

The World Trade Centre Winnipeg is an information portal for Manitoba entrepreneurs.

Business Link (Alberta)

Business Link helps Alberta small businesses start and thrive. Their team of experts is there to…

SK Start Up Institute

SK Startup Institute is your first step as an entrepreneur looking to get a head start…

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,…

Prairies Economic Development Canada

Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) is the federal government department that diversifies the economy across the…

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…

Community Futures Network

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

Co-operatives First

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

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