Co-ops are businesses built by a group of people to meet the needs of those people. They take external investors and shareholders out of the equation.

What if utility companies were owned by the people paying the power and heating bills every month? What if banks were owned by the people banking there? What if every day people shared the profits made through grocery stores and gas stations? What if housing market prices were calculated in the community between residents, not on calls with real estate investors?

These are co-ops and credit unions. They’re the real deal.

We’re here to help you learn all about what differentiates co-ops from other organizational structures.

We believe everyone should know the basics about how existing and new co-ops can help us create the life we picture for ourselves, our kids and our communities.

What you do with that knowledge is up to you!

It depends on the type of co-op and the need it is designed to meet.

Like any business or community service provider, co-operatives need to be financially sustainable to remain operational, however they exist first and foremost to meet the needs of members, not to make money for external shareholders.

Some co-ops are managed entirely by volunteers on a break-even basis and would be considered not-for-profit organizations. Other co-ops and credit unions have billions of dollars on their books and return millions of dollars to their local members through savings on services and/or profit sharing and equity programs.

The great thing about the co-operative model is how adaptable it is across industries and regions to meet many different needs around the world. Let’s connect if you’d like to learn more.

We are a consulting agency dedicated to educating, empowering and engaging communities across Canada. Our name is inspired by two of the core co-op values: self help and solidarity, and that’s what we help facilitate.

You can talk to us about about business ideas, community concerns, or economic development goals, and we’ll help you explore cooperation and collaboration as a way to bring your big vision to life.

We also support the co-op and credit union sector by facilitating professional development and member and public engagement. We tailor assessments, training sessions and recommendations for meaningful member and employee engagement, and offer coaching to Boards and leadership teams with tactics for successfully communicating, delivering and evaluating strategic plans.

Anyone and everyone! The co-op model is adaptive and can be applied in so many circumstances.

We work with:

• Individuals and groups who have an idea for a co-op and need help developing it

• Municipalities and local business and economic development leaders

• Existing co-operatives and credit unions, their members, and their associations, centrals and federations

• Schools, universities and youth leadership programs

• MLAs, MPs, government agencies and their partners delivering programs that improve social and economic outcomes

Are you still reading? Book a meeting or send us a message.

Let’s chat about how we can work together!