{"id":377,"date":"2023-06-22T05:31:50","date_gmt":"2023-06-22T05:31:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/yourwaytogether.ca\/?page_id=377"},"modified":"2023-09-08T16:59:31","modified_gmt":"2023-09-08T16:59:31","slug":"why-a-co-op","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/yourwaytogether.ca\/why-a-co-op\/","title":{"rendered":"Why a co-op?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
A co-operative is often about people coming together to meet a common need \u2013 what need can you serve in your home community that will benefit your people and future generations? Consider starting a co-op!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By establishing a co-operative, you can work with others to produce goods and services within your community, for your community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A co-op is a business or non-profit owned by a community of members working together to meet a common need. When someone becomes a member of a co-op, they are an owner of the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking to help your community achieve self-reliance? Consider building an on-Nation co-op to create jobs and provide much-needed products or services. We can help!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Submit an application to join the co-op.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
The application is reviewed and approved by the co-op\u2019s board of directors.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
The new member buys a share in the co-op.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Every co-op is member-owned, but who the members are depends on the type of co-op established. When deciding what type of co-op to create, ask yourself \u201cwho should make the decisions about this business?\u201d Your answer will help you decide which type of co-op is right for your organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are three main types of co-ops:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n\t <\/th> Consumer co\u2013<\/span>ops<\/th> Worker co\u2013<\/span>ops<\/th> Producer co\u2013<\/span>ops<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n\n \n\t Membership<\/td> Owned by those who buy the co-op\u2019s products or services.<\/td> Owned by the employees of the co-op.<\/td> Owned by those who make or grow the things the co-op markets and sells.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Key Features<\/td> Can be for profit or non-profit.<\/td> Employees themselves create the co-op, either by starting their own business, or buying an existing business from owners who are retiring.<\/td> Usually created by people from the same industry who share similar challenges and expenses.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t In most for-profit consumer co-ops, customers don\u2019t have to be members but only members can share in the profits.<\/td> Employee owners perform tasks like sales, profit distribution, supervision of non-member staff, marketing, etc. They also make strategic decisions for the co-op.<\/td> Production work done independently.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t In non-profit consumer co-ops (like daycares), you generally have to be a member to use its services.<\/td> Members save money by purchasing supplies as a group, sharing administrative costs, and collectively marketing their products.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Examples <\/td> Credit unions, retail businesses (gas stations, grocery stores, etc.), telecommunications companies, childcare, housing, infrastructure services.<\/td> Consulting agencies, breweries, small retail, manufacturing, media companies.<\/td> Accountants, artists, farmers, fishers.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n