September, 2021

Dear friends,
 
This month’s newsletter includes upcoming workshops, funding updates, job postings + other key co-opportunities that will help you unlock the power of your co-op community.

If you, or someone you know, can benefit from any of these resources, be sure to share!
We also encourage you to share your updates & ideas with us by emailing cfne@coopfund.coop.

 Together, we can better serve our co-op community. 


Co-op Curious?
We’ve got you covered. Check out these learning co-opportunities from CFNE & our partners.
Starts September 10 @ 10:30 AM -1:00 PM EDT | $500 per business; discounted or free for qualifying businesses 

Tune up your open book management systems and democratic workplace skills with the Participatory Management Initiative, an innovative new training program that shows co-op owners and managers how to:

  • teach your team how the business meets its goals,
  • engage worker-owners in making decisions to improve the business, and
  • recruit, develop, and retain great people by being a great place to work.

This program might be a fit for your cooperative or business if you are an operating, for-profit enterprise with a team of 2-3 leaders who can commit to the 6 training sessions over a 4-month period (Fridays from 10:30-1).

Register here: https://cdi.coop/mass-business-survey/ Late registrations will receive a recording of the September 10th session. Click here for more information and fee waiver information.

September 13 @ 4:00 PM -5:30 PM EDT | Free
 
How do we handle conflict in democratic workplaces? Often we walk into democratic structures relying on the notion of shared mission and vision forgetting that we need structures of accountability to build trust and draw boundaries to face power dynamics and other challenges that emerge in social spaces. In this session we will share best practices to exercise accountability and hear from worker owners in their experience to prepare and handle conflict in democratic workplaces. Available in English and Spanish. Click here to register
September 27-29 | Virtual $50 + In person $200  
 
This year's national conference will focus on "Deepening Black Wealth Through Building Equity and Ownership" echoing our commitment on expanding cooperative models in Black communities as a means for broadening a collective understanding of how cooperatives can tackle economic disparities and challenge systemic racism and inequality. Join us!

Now You Know: Cooperative Principle #5  
September 29 @ 12:00 PM -1:30 PM EDT | Free
 
Co-ops are enterprises collectively owned and democratically governed by their members. But... how do they ensure that elected leaders have access to the skills, knowledge and expertise they need to effectively govern and to hold management to account?” How do they design + implement people friendly learning processes that gets everyone yearning to learn more?
 
In this lunch-and-learn session, we’ll explore helpful and creative ways to strengthen co-op education, training and information sharing. Click here to register

In Case You Missed It!

Our 2021 workshops are all available for viewing on our Youtube channel. Click here to view.

If you’re interested in a 1-on-1 co-op coaching session, click here to schedule an appointment


Co-op Capital
Stay updated on relevant funding co-opportunities. 

CFNE has been awarded funding for a pass-through grant program from the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation’s CDFI/CDC Grant program. We are making these funds available to support small and struggling cooperative businesses, and to support existing small businesses working toward co-op conversion.

Massachusetts businesses may apply for a maximum of $10,000 to be used for business stabilization, including, but not limited to:

Technical assistance
Member education
Marketing
Health and safety upgrades
Ongoing expenses such as payroll, rent, and loan payments for existing co-ops
and feasibility studies and valuations for other businesses considering converting to a co-op.

We will be accepting applications on a rolling basis through May 31, 2022, as long as funds are available.
Co-op Community
Stay connected to our co-op community. 

The Cooperative Development Institute is looking for an enterprising, highly organized innovator and entrepreneur to help business owners and their workers explore and execute transitions to worker-owned cooperatives. Click here to see the Job Posting

The People and Culture Manager helps us hire, onboard, train, support, coach and retain our employees, and develops and communicates policies that serve the interests of employees and the organization. Click here to see the Job Posting

 
The Dorchester Food Co-op (DFC) is now seeking to hire a General Manager (GM) with the experience and leadership to open a member-owned cooperative grocery store in a mixed income and racially diverse neighborhood. Click here to see the Job Posting

 
Boston Center for Community Ownership is hiring a part-time Co-op Organizer to provide hands-on business support to worker-owned cooperatives and other small businesses in our region. This role is intended to grow into a full time position over time, and is located in Dorchester, MA. Click here to see the Job Posting


The Communications and Development Director is responsible for directing the foundation’s communications and development strategies at Maine Initiatives. 

The Community Organizing and Engagement Director will help us to create, design, and implement a wide range of community programming and activities that engage, connect, inform, and inspire individuals about our mission and work. Click here to see the Job Posting
 


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In cooperation,
Johan Matthews
Community Engagement Facilitator
Cooperative Fund of New England