December 2022
Dear friends,
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With the winter solstice and end of the year upon us, we invite you all to slow down in reflection of our individual and collective experiences from the past year, and start to envision what we want to see in 2023. Thank you for all of your collaboration and support in 2022, we wish you all a safe and healthy holiday season and a happy new year! Please note, our office will be closed from December 26th through January 2nd. We look forward to continuing our work with you in the new year!
This month’s newsletter includes upcoming workshops, job postings, funding updates
+ other key co-opportunities that will help you unlock the power of your co-op community.
If you or anyone you know wants to support some of CFNE's exciting new programs like the Co-op Navigator Fellowship, please consider contributing to our Annual Campaign. We're trying to raise $25,000 by the end of January!
And as always, if you know someone else who would be interested in the resources below, be sure to share!
We also encourage you to share your updates & ideas with us by emailing cfne@coopfund.coop
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Co-op Curious?
We’ve got you covered. Check out these learning co-opportunities from CFNE & our friends.
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December 12 and 19 | 9 am - 12:30 pm ET | Online | Regular $175, MACDC Member $100, Student/Americorps/Intern $75
Conflict will always be a part of our relationships, but how we approach conflict can change over time. In this two part workshop you will gain new tools to improve your conflict competency. This will help with navigating conflicts that arise in your co-op, as an individual and as a group. With this training you will be better equipped to facilitate productive outcomes of conflict while reducing the likelihood of escalation. Participants will have the opportunity to practice their conflict resolution skills in scenarios that are directly related to their work. The results of conflict competence includes repaired relationships, creative solutions, and lasting agreements for addressing current and future challenges. Registration deadline: December 9, 2022. Click here to register.
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December 28 | 1-2 pm ET | Online | Free
Starting a business can be overwhelming, but one of the most significant barriers to starting a business is often the cost. In this webinar, Steve Strauss will walk participants through how to save money on the most common startup expenses. Some of the focus areas will include: building a website for little to no money, low-cost marketing options, affordable online business ideas, and free or low-cost business resources. Click here to register.
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May 2023 | 6 day retreat | Grafton, MA
Applications are now open for the May 2023 Co-op Intensive with Global Village Farms. This immersive in-person program is meant to build deeper relationships between your core team members, bring cooperators more fully into a cooperative mindset, dive into business development work, connect to further resources, and get a lot done while having a thoroughly enjoyable experience. The content will be tailored to fit the participants’ stages of development and is available in English, Spanish or Portuguese. The program priorities are: projects led by BIPOC, youth, formerly incarcerated, immigrants, poor and working class people; front line communities involved in social or environmental justice struggle; climate justice considerations in your business idea; and is available to people throughout the US, but priority will be given to MA and RI co-ops. Application deadline: 5pm EST, Feb 1, 2023. Apply here.
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In Case You Missed It!
Connect with a Coach!
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Co-op Community
Stay connected to our co-op community.
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Regulatory Changes Ahead For Co-op Lenders
December Deadline for Comments
The US Treasury has proposed big regulatory changes around Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) certification, which means potentially big changes to who CFNE and other CDFIs could lend to and what that lending process would look like. Overview of what the proposed changes are, for more information on CDFI changes. Feedback on these proposed changes need to be made before the December 19th deadline. Keep an eye out for more information from us in the coming week.
There are multiple regulation changes to the Small Business Administration (SBA) coming down the pike as well, some of which are related to SBA’s personal guarantee requirements for the 7a loans. More information to come.
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December 14 | 9 am ET | Online
Cooperators worldwide will gather to discuss the findings of an international survey centered around Cooperative Identity. Co-ops were invited to respond earlier this year to gather opinions on whether our principles and values — our cooperative difference — is well defined and understood. This virtual session will include a Q&A to exchange views with panelists and cooperators from other countries, as well as discuss next steps on the Cooperative Identity Consultation. Click here to register.
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Real Pickles is a worker-owned cooperative that produces organic fermented vegetables from Northeast-grown produce. Their mission is to promote human and ecological health by providing people with delicious, nourishing food and by working toward a regional, organic food system in the Northeast. Real Pickles is looking for someone with a strong interest in organic food, belief in their mission, and a desire to explore worker-ownership within the co-op (available upon completing 1 year of employment). This job is $18-$20/hour ($0.50/hr raises twice annually for 2-4 years, followed by annual cost-of-living adjustment), and includes paid time off, SIMPLE IRA match, and the option of employer-sponsored health insurance. Click here for job description.
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The United States Federation of Worker Cooperatives (USFWC) is the national grassroots membership organization for worker cooperatives. They help to advance worker-owned, -managed, and -governed workplaces through cooperative education, advocacy and development.
- This is a 20-30 hour/week remote staff position, at $50,000-$55,000/year prorated based on hours worked.
- Candidates who are bilingual in Spanish and English are encouraged to apply.
- This is a 40 hour/week salaried position, with a starting FTE (40 hour full time equivalent) base salary of $65,000-$75,000 based on experience.
- Written and verbal Spanish proficiency is highly preferable, but not necessarily required.
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Co-op Capital
Stay updated on relevant funding co-opportunities.
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$10,000 | December 31st Deadline
In the Black Future Makers search, they are looking for dedicated individuals invested in the greater good. Submit a video of 30-60 seconds, or photo, on your Instagram feed explaining how you are pursuing greater possibilities for you and the community. Individuals post on instagram as their application, and can post up to once a day (tag @att and use #dreaminblack and #attcontest). At the end of the month 100 posts will be chosen at random and then will be judged. Prizes: $10,000 cash, an AT&T 5G enabled device, recognition on the Dream in Black website as a Black Future Maker, and an exclusive capsule collection of Dream in Black merchandise. See contest rules for more information. Contest ends December 31, 2022.
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$500-2,000 | Rolling Deadline
Black-owned small businesses have long faced hardship due to systemic racism, but these small businesses are integral to the makeup of our society and economy. This program will only be open to Black-owned stores, to help promote equality and diversity in American business. The selected recipients will receive amounts between $500 - $2000, with no specific requirements on how to allocate the funds. In order to qualify you must have a brick-and-mortar shop within the United States and less than 20 employees. Review the rules and apply here.
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Maggie Maiorana and the Learning Team
Program Associate
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Cooperative Fund of the Northeast
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For CFNE news and
our Annual Report
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For co-op education
and resources
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