Organizing a Cooperative
   This presentation:
   • Why Start a Cooperative?
   • Rule of Thumb Timeline
   • Events (from How to Start a Cooperative report)
   • General Rules for Success
   • Potential Pitfalls
   • Summary
   • More Information 
     Why Start a Cooperative?
   • A compelling need and a few community leaders 
    can spark the idea of forming a cooperative.
   • Usually, these leaders have an economic need or 
    desire a service they believe a cooperative can 
    provide. 
   • They also know others who have similar 
    interests.
        Organizing a Cooperative
          Time Line of a Start Up
         3 Months        2 Years
              General rule of thumb
           Organizing a Cooperative
                          Event 1*
       • Invite leading potential member-users to 
         meet and discuss issues.
       • Identify the economic need a cooperative 
         might fulfill.
  *The events described in this presentation are from How to Start a Cooperative, Cooperative Information 
     Report 7. In practice the sequence of events often vary depending on the type of cooperative development
     project.
    Organizing a Cooperative
          Event 2
  • Conduct an exploratory meeting with 
   potential member-users. If the group votes 
   to continue, select a steering committee.