CooperationWorks!
The Art and Science of Starting a Cooperative Business

2012/2013 Cooperative Business Development Training Program for Practitioners

The CooperationWorks! Cooperative Business Development Training Program is a rigorous course for participants to develop the skills to start a new cooperative and assist groups to start new cooperative enterprises. The curriculum includes:

- The key steps of effective cooperative business development

- The unique aspects of cooperative finance, law, governance and management

- The essential tools for group ownership in building long-term success

- Financial analysis and pro forma financial statements for new co-ops

This program has been designed to deliver the best of what has been learned in the field of cooperative business development. It consists of three intensive five-day sessions emphasizing the practical application of cooperative business development skills.

The Art & Science of Starting a Cooperative Business

Session One: The Steps to Start a New Cooperative Business

Lowell Center, University of Wisconsin

Madison, Wisconsin

September 17-21, 2012

Session Two: Key Ingredients for New Cooperative Business Success

Lowell Center, University of Wisconsin

Madison, Wisconsin

April 1-5, 2013

Session Three: Financial Analysis for New Cooperatives

On-Line Training Program

Summer, 2013

At the conclusion of the program participants will be prepared to develop a new cooperative business from inception through feasibility analysis, business planning, incorporation, capitalization, membership development, business launch and on-going operational stability and success.

The program courses may be taken in any order. Participation in the program is limited; registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information contact Audrey Malan at 307-655-9162 or .

CooperationWorks! Professional Development Training Program

The Art and Science of Starting a Cooperative Business

Sessions One, Two and Three

Program Descriptions

Session One: The Steps to Start a New Cooperative Business

September 17-21, 2012, Madison, Wisconsin

The first session in the program covers the skills and key development steps for the successful development of cooperative businesses. The program will include interactive sessions, case studies and tours to local co-ops to detail the practical applications of the developmental steps and methodologies. Areas of study in Session One of the training and certification program include:

-Cooperative History and Principles

-Comparative Business Models

-The Critical Steps of Co-op Development

-Feasibility Analysis

-Business Planning

-Building Stakeholder Capacity

-Governance and Oversight

-Case Study Analysis

Session Two: Key Ingredients for New Cooperative Business Success

April 1-5, 2013

Madison, Wisconsin

The second session in the program examines the unique aspects of cooperative enterprises and the building of effective group capacity for the long-term success of the enterprise. Break-out case studies will track the practical applications of the methodologies in four existing cooperative businesses. Areas of study in Session Two of the training and certification program include:

-Co-op Legal Structures and Taxation

-Co-op Finance, Equity and Capitalization

-Group Decision Making and Strategic Planning

-Co-op Management Oversight

-Keys to Achieving Operational Success

Session Three: Financial Analysis for Cooperative Start-Ups

Summer, 2013

On-Line Training Program

The third session in the program examines the financial modeling and analysis process involved in conducting feasibility studies and business plans for start-up cooperatives. Each student will complete a set of pro forma financial statements for a new cooperative business. Areas of study in Session Three of the training and certification program include:

-Components of financial analysis for start-up businesses

-Financial success including liquidity, profitability and solvency

-Revenue models, income statements, balance sheets and cash flow analysis

-Financial projections and ratio analysis

Certification

Certification is available for participants who attend Sessions One, Two

and achieve a passing score in Session Three. Participants must pre-register for certification with CooperationWorks!

Course Tuition

Session Two, April 1-5, 2013

Members of CooperationWorks!

Session Two Tuition: $ 900

Session Two Single Room & Board: $ 750 Double Room & Board $ 500

Session Two Total: Single: $1650Double: $1400

Non-Members of CooperationWorks!

Session Two Tuition: $1,300

Session Two Single Room & Board: $ 750 Double Room & Board $ 500

Session Two Total: Single:$2,050 Double: $1800

A limited number of partial scholarships are available. All participants interested in the program are encouraged to apply.

Program Schedule

Session Two, April 1-5, 2013

Session Two will begin at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, April 1, 2012 and end at noon on Friday, April 5. The daily program will run from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (except on Friday) with informal optional evening events.

Session Two: Meals and Accommodations

All training sessions, meals and lodging will take place at the Lowell Center in Madison, Wisconsin:

The Lowell Center
University of Wisconsin-Extension
610 Langdon Street
Madison, WI 53703-1104
Front Desk: 608-256-2621; Fax: 608-262-5445;

CooperationWorks! will reserve rooms directly with the Lowell Center for program participants. Lodging will be from Sunday evening through Friday morning.

Program meals included are breakfast daily, lunch Monday through Thursday, dinner Monday through Wednesday. Participants will have Thursday evening free to dine in one of the many fine local restaurants.

Enrollment and Registration

Enrollment in the CooperationWorks! training program is limited and will be on a first come, first served basis. Registration will be confirmed when full payment is received.

Participants may pre-register by emailing the Registration Form to .

Session Two: Travel Options and Directions

Travel arrangements are to be made individually and paid for by participants. Please plan to arrive the Sunday evening prior to the Session One starting date, as classes begin at 8:00 am on the first day of the training program. The Session ends at noon on Friday.

Participants may fly directly into Madison, WI or nearby Milwaukee, or Midway or O’Hare airports in Chicago, IL and go by land from there. The Badger Busline runs from the airport in Chicago to a few blocks from the Lowell Center in Madison. Visit O'Hare International Airport or Midway International Airport websites for information on taxi or car rental service.

The airport in Madison is a short distance from the downtown campus and the Lowell Conference Center. Taxi service is available for the 20-minute ride for about $25 – we recommend Union Cab, a worker owned cooperative. Local bus service from the airport is not available.

CooperationWorks!

CooperationWorks! is a national cooperative of cooperative business development centers and practitioners. Members provide expertise across all aspects of cooperative development, including feasibility analysis, business plan development, training and education. By sharing their knowledge through CooperationWorks!, members maximize resources, avoid duplication and bring the greatest benefit to the communities they serve. To find out more about CW visit:

CooperationWorks!

The Art and Science of Starting a Co-op

Session Two: Key Ingredients for New Cooperative Business Success

April 1-5, 2013

The registration deadline for Session Two March 15, 2013.

REGISTRATION FORM

To register for the program, please email the registration form to Audrey at and send a hard copy with payment to:

Sarah Pike
Common Enterprise Development Corporation
29630 – 109th Avenue North
Hanover, MN 55341

763-432-2032

Please make checks payable to CooperationWorks!

REGISTRANT INFORMATION

Name
Organization
Title
Address / Town: State: Zipcode:
Telephone & Cell
Email Address
Contact in Case of Emergency
Special Requirements (e.g. dietary)
Session One Tuition, Room & Board, Sept. 17–21, 2012
/ Sub-total
CW Member Tuition / $ 900
Non-Member Tuition / $1,300
Single Room & Board (own room) / $ 750
Double Room & Board (share a room) / $ 500
Meals only (will stay off-sight) / $ 250
TOTAL REGISTRATION PAYMENT ENCLOSED:

I am seeking certification: yes__ no __

(Please fill out the following so we can better understand your goals and experience.)REGISTRANT INFORMATION

Name:

Current work situation:

Educational background:

Work experience background:

Current and long-term goals in the area of cooperative business development:

What are your key areas of interest in the field of cooperative business development?