THE BASICS

introducing cooperative principles

OBJECTIVE

• Explain what makes cooperative businesses different than other businesses
• Make participants think about business activities that could be run through a cooperative form

HOW TO USE IT

Explanation at the board + 1 short video projection (if you speak Greek, check this video or this one if you speak Danish) + 2 group exercises + 1 podcast to listen to outside the workshop

KEY QUESTIONS

• How is a coop different than other businesses? Click here to get an idea (EN) or here (FR)
• What is the mission of your coop?
• Who will be your clients and why? See if this video might help with this question (DN)
• Who will be your members and why?
• Why is your coop needed in your local context?
• How is your coop innovative?
• Why will your coop be relevant to young people? Check out this video to see if it might be useful for this question (FR)

PROCESS

1. Have everyone sit in circle + Set out a whiteboard with markers, ask circle to provide definition of coop, write out key words on board + Write out definition of coop + Fill out table on pg. 9 of MGT all together + show short video about cooperative principles (click here for NRECA video and here for CoopUK video)
2. Divide group into smaller 3-persons groups + Have them pick a business idea to develop into a cooperative + Provide and explain Key Questions + Have them present their coop to the bigger group (refer to MGT Step 1 Identifying needs pg. 17) + have everyone vote on best coop idea + give out first prize to the winning group (star made of coloured paper)
3. Keep the 3-persons group + give instructions for the next exercise, i.e.: create a 5 minute pitch about raising members of your new coop, the pitch should explain the coop, provide an identikit of the member + define where and how you could give your pitch out + have them give the pitch to the bigger group (refer to MGT Motivating and including members pg.18) + have them listen to Startup podcast 5 episodes as homework

DURATION

• 5 minutes brainstorming + 10 minutes explanation
• 10 minutes to explain key questions + 20 minutes for group work + 5 minutes each group to present their coop to the bigger group + 10 minutes voting and awards + 10 minutes general feedback from ambassador

BREAK (10 minutes)

• 10 minutes to provide instructions for pitch creation + 30 minutes for group work + 5 minutes each group to give out pitch + 10 minutes general feedback from ambassador

EXPECTED RESULTS

1. Participants understand the cooperative principles and peculiarity of the business
2. Participants understand how a coop could function in the market
3. Participants understand the key role people play in coops
4. Participants are ready to delve into business planning

RESOURCES NEEDED

• 1 whiteboard + markers + large sheets of paper
• Sheets of coloured paper + scissors + tape
• Tables or mats to carry out group work
• Video player of some sort to show short video
• Mobile phone to show how to use podcasts