Alberta - Co-op Creator

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? How to name your co-op: a by-province guide Choosing a business structure: A questionnaire 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

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 Creating a Preliminary Budget — A Guide Building a Business Model Canvas Risk Identification and Management Legal Risks for Co-op Start Ups How to create a governance structure Why create a business plan? (video) Roles and Responsibilities Business Planning Pitch Practice Allocating Surplus in a Co-operative Business 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

How to Waive an Audit Sample Board Duties How to Build a Board Calendar Three AGM Resolutions Every Co-op Needs for their Annual General Meeting What you need to know for your first AGM 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

A Guide to Co-operative Insurance How to Read Financial Statements Everything you need to know about managing records Board Governance Tips for Indigenous Co-operatives Sample Bookkeeper Contract Keeping track of members in a co-op 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

Workplan for incorporating in Alberta

Designed for steering committees and boards of co-operatives developing in Alberta, this workplan for incorporating in…

Filing Articles of Incorporation in Alberta

To begin filling in your articles of incorporation in Alberta, please download the PDF or visit…

Sample Co-op Bylaws for Alberta

Designed for those starting co-ops, these co-op bylaws for Alberta can help co-ops navigate the legislation…

A Guide to writing bylaws in Alberta

Below is a guide to writing bylaws in Alberta. Writing bylaws is an important step in…