Strengthening the Cooperative Economy: Practical Tips for Current and Prospective Co-ops Webinar Series

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Strengthening the Cooperative Economy: Practical Tips for Current and Prospective Co-ops Webinar Series

DATE: October + November 2022
TIME: Various - see times below
LOCATION: Zoom Webinar
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Following this series, please CLICK HERE for updates and additional information in the 2023 webinar series.

Please join the Cooperative Maine Business Alliance and Bernstein Shur for a joint webinar series to celebrate “Co-op Month” in October.

This webinar series is geared towards business owners, employees, community members, and others considering a co-op structure for their business or community, as well as those who currently operate a co-op.

SESSION DATES Wednesdays in October + November 2022

**Spanish translation available for sessions 3, 4 & 5.

Session 1 | Cooperatives 101 & Business Conversion Issues
Wednesday, October 5 – 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

During this session, panelists will walk the audience through what a co-op structure looks like and why it might be the right (or wrong) entity for their business. The second half of this session will focus on issues relevant to business leaders who may be considering a co-op structure as the next step for growing the business or as part of succession planning, including issues related to business valuation, financing, and co-op governance.

Panelists:
Rob Brown – Dir. of Business Ownership Solutions, Cooperative Development Institute
Jay Ward – CEO, Ward Lumber
Michelle Walker – CEO, Wheelers Insurance
Adam Prescott – Shareholder, Bernstein Shur, Business Restructuring & Insolvency
Dave Schneider – Shareholder, Bernstein Shur, Business Law

Watch the replay HERE
Share your feedback and get in contact HERE

Session 2 | Cooperatives 101 & Start-Up Issues
Wednesday, October 12 – 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

During this session, panelists will walk the audience through what a co-op structure looks like and why it might be the right (or wrong) entity for their start-up business. The second half of this session will focus on issues relevant to start-up co-ops, including issues related to business planning, entity formation, and financing.

Panelists:
Chris Linder – Loan & Outreach Officer, Cooperative Fund of the NE
Greg Brodsky – Founder + Co-Director, Start.coop
Helen Coburn – Shareholder, Bernstein Shur, Business Law
Adam Prescott – Shareholder, Bernstein Shur, Business Restructuring & Insolvency

Featured Guest:
Sarah Speare – Co-Founder/CEO, Tootie’s Tempeh, Inc.

Watch the replay HERE
Share your feedback and get in contact HERE

Session 3 | Maintaining Financial Health for Your Co-op
Wednesday, October 19 – 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM**
**Please note earlier time for this session.

This session will walk co-op owners through important strategies that will help them to monitor financial performance, identify financial problems early, and maintain financial health for the co-op in the future.

Spanish translation will be available for this session.

Panelists:
Chris Linder – Loan & Outreach Officer, Cooperative Fund of the NE
John Crane – General Manager, Portland Food Co-op
Adam Prescott – Shareholder, Bernstein Shur, Business Restructuring & Insolvency

Watch the replay in English HERE
Watch the replay in Spanish HERE
Share your feedback and get in contact HERE
Common signs of financial distress article HERE

Session 4 | Human Resources Best Practices
Wednesday, October 26 – 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

During this session, speakers will discuss best practices in human resources, as well as recent developments in relevant labor and employment laws and regulations, especially related to the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on Maine law.

Spanish translation will be available for this session.

Panelists:
Carolee Colter – Human Resources Consultant for Managers & Boards, Columinate
Tara Walker – Attorney, Bernstein Shur, Labor & Employment

Watch the replay in English HERE
Watch the replay in Spanish HERE
Share your feedback and get in contact HERE
Job Accommodation Network resource HERE
U.S. Department of Labor FMLA Forms link HERE.

Session 5 | Housing Co-ops: Now and the Future
Wednesday, November 2 – 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

This session will focus on how housing co-ops are run, their benefits, and how they can help to create stronger communities.

Spanish translation available for this session beginning at 5:30 minute-mark.

Panelists:
Joe Cicirelli – Director, Cooperative Development Institute, NEROC Program
Craig Saddlemire – Cooperative Development Organizer, RAISE-Op
Nora Gosselin – Market Development Specialist, Cooperative Development Institute, NEROC Program
Beth Smith – Shareholder, Bernstein Shur, Real Estate

Watch the replay in English HERE
Watch the replay in Spanish HERE
Share your feedback and get in contact HERE