Co-op Power Leader Retreat

Co-op Power Leader Retreat
Roundhouse Series: Part Two
Community Business Development
July 29-30, 2011

Lead Trainer: Lynn Benander, Co-op Power

Case Study Leaders:
Lynn Benander – Northeast Biodiesel
Mark Tajima - Energia

Learning Goals
Participants will be able to:
v Identify principals of cooperation and the values of community business development
v List Community Business Development services provided by the Co-op Power common office and identify ways local organizing councils can access them
v Identify and compare corporate structure options for community based businesses
v Identify and compare financing options for community based businesses
v Assist local organizing councils in conducting participatory community planning to identify and launch a community based business development project
v Support local organizing councils to make key business development decision
v Support community business boards in practically guiding a business development process

WHERE:
The Roundhouse, 68 Van Nuys Rd., Colrain MA

ADVANCE REGISTRATION:
$10 Friday evening 7-9 pm
$30 Friday evening 6-9 pm including dinner
$125 Saturday 9 am to 4 pm including lunch
$200 per person, includes a bed in a dorm room and 3 meals
$150 per person, includes dinner Friday and lunch Saturday
Scholarships available.

TO REGISTER:
Complete the following registration form.
Email cyndee@cooppower.coop with Leader Retreat in the subject line.
Mail your check to Co-op Power, PO Box 688, Greenfield MA 01302
Call 413-772-8898 for more information

Schedule

Fri July 29
5:00 pm Registration opens
5:30-6:30 pm Dinner
6:30-7:00 pm Opening: Welcome, Introductions, Logistics, Case Study Group formation
7:00-8:00 pm Community Business Development: Opportunities and Challenges, Models for Success, When and Why they Work – Lynn Benander
8:00-8:30 pm Group Discussion - Opportunities for Community Business Development in your Community: Community Challenges and Needs, Possible Business Solutions

Sat July 30
8:00-9:00 am Breakfast
9:00-10:30 am Community Business Planning: Participatory Community Planning, Early Stage Business Development, the role of the local organizing council, common office support, Board Development – Lynn Benander
10:30-11:00 am Break
11:00-12:30 pm Case Study Session #1: Community Business Planning: How we got started; why; how decisions were made; where we found support
12:30-1:15 pm Lunch
1:15-2:15 pm Community Business Development: Corporate Structure Options, Business Planning and Development; Financing Options – Lynn Benander
2:15-2:30 pm Break
2:30-3:30 pm Cast Study Session #2: Community Business Development: How we structured our business; why; our core business plan; our launch strategy; our financing; outcomes to date
3:30-5:00 pm Closing: Group discussion of case studies; planning for next steps