April 7, 2021
Dear friends,
This month’s newsletter includes upcoming workshops, updates on the PPP extension as well as 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.
Co-op Curious?
We’ve got you covered. Check out these learning opportunities from CFNE & our partners.
|
|
Cooperative Principles # 1 + 2
April 14 @ 12:00 PM -1:30 PM EDT | Free
Cooperative Fund of New England
Cooperatives are voluntary, democratic organizations. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always feel that way. How might you ensure voluntary and open membership, without discrimination, to persons willing to accept the responsibilities of membership? How might you create the conditions for shared decision making and accountability? This session, facilitated by CFNE’s Johan Matthews & Carolyn Edsell Vetter, explores the importance of providing your members with a seat at the table. Click here to register.
Co-op Directors Governance Webinars
April 13 & May 4 @ 11:30 PM -12:30 PM EDT | Free
Great boards don’t just happen, they are built and honed! Governance training is critical to developing a productive and forward-thinking board, increasing productivity of the cooperative, and ensuring a positive relationship between the board and management. The UW Center for Cooperatives is offering two free workshops for co-op boards from all sectors:
May 11-14| $49 Early Bird Registration (before 4/16/21)| $69 Conference Registration
If you’re involved in a food co-op, whether you’re looking to get started or ready to grow, this virtual conference is for you. Click here to register
Your Toolkit
In case you missed it, our March 17 workshop, “Say Whaaat?! How to Create Messaging Your Customers Will Love”, was well attended and highly informational. Click here for the recording.
Please reach out if you’d like to be included in a follow up workshop on this topic. In the meantime, if you’re interested in a 1-on-1 coaching session, click here to schedule an appointment.
|
|
Co-op Capital
Stay updated on relevant funding co-opportunities.
PPP Extended
The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) application deadline has been formally changed from March 31 to May 31. To keep you up to date, Wegner CPAs is offering a webinar series, “Making Cent$$ of Stimulus Money,” covering the ins and outs of all of the current federal COVID relief programs. Click here to register.
|
|
Winning organizations will receive a one-year grant of up to $50,000 to advance cooperative development in communities of color and/or historically disinvested communities. Letters of interest are due April 30th.
Co-op Community
Stay connected to our co-op community.
National Cooperative Bank (NCB), like CFNE, is focused on providing innovative financial solutions to cooperatives, especially in low-income communities. As a bank, they can offer complementary financial services, like checking accounts. To help determine whether broader banking services needs exist for small and emerging coop and businesses, NCB is surveying cooperatives. Click here to complete the survey.
|
|
Johan Matthews
Community Engagement Facilitator
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
