ANNOUNCEMENTS
This program provides governance and financial training to agricultural cooperatives. The conference will next be held March 14-15, 2012 in Visalia, CA. New tracks have been added
Program Overview
Online Registration
The California Center for Cooperative Development (CCCD) invites you to show your support for cooperatives by becoming a member! CCCD is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that promotes and supports the myriad of cooperatives in California with start-up and technical assistance. Since becoming an independent non-profit, the work of CCCD has been fueled by project-related grants and donations. Memberships will help sustain the Center and boost CCCD's ability to receive grants by providing essential matching funds. Please join with a tax-deductible subscription today!
Download a membership application and email (coops@cccd.coop) , fax (530-297-1033) or mail it to CCCD (979 F Street, Suite A-1, Davis, CA 95616).
* Demonstrate your support for cooperatives and connect to a new and growing cooperative movement: Your valuable membership will be listed on-line and in our Annual Report
* Fuel the development of new cooperatives: Your support builds a thriving education and resource center
* Learn from the top cooperative organizers in California: Members receive special discounts on conferences and services, as well as access to outstanding publications
Memberships
Individual Membership
Individual (self-assessed ability to contribute): $50 - $100
Low Income or Student: $25
Co-op/Organization Membership
(Based on Annual Revenue)
Less than $200,000: $ 50
$200,000 - $399,000: $ 100
$400,000 - $699,999: $ 150
$700,000 - $999,999: $ 200
$1,000,000 - $2,999,999: $ 250
$3 million and above: $ 350
Special Membership
Cooperative Champion $5,000
Cooperative Leader $3,000
Cooperative Innovator $1,000
Application forms are also available for download. If paying by check, make it payable to CCCD, and mail to CCCD, 979 F Street, Suite A-1, Davis, CA 95616.
The National Cooperative Development Act was introduced to congress as H.R. 3677 on December 16th. The bill creates a National Cooperative Development Center that will:
• Award grants to nonprofit organizations, colleges and universities provide technical assistance to cooperative or groups seeking to form co-ops.
• Provide guidance, best practices and technical assistance to communities seeking to establish cooperatives.
• Create a revolving loan fund to provide seed capital to groups attempting to form cooperatives.
• Provide funding to train providers of technical assistance an support existing professional development for organizations engaged in cooperative development.
• Establish cooperative development centers in areas that do not have them.
For more information about the bill and learn how you can become involved:
Press release at http://t.co/K6sLkp4u Join the campaign at www.campaign.coop. Talking points to share your views about the bill with your representatives at www.campaign.coop/node/24.
The four members of Liberty Ship Café will launch their cooperative business in January and fulfill a self-pledge for autonomy. When sisters Gloria and Rosa Menjivar came to the Bay Area six years ago, supporting family back in their native El Salvador was top priority. Since then, their focus has shifted to raising family here and working to empower their East Bay community in volunteering at the Richmond Latina Center. For Rosa, shared ownership of the Liberty Ship Café is key: "This is not just about making money," says Rosa. "This cooperative is the chance to be empowered in our life choices and to give good food to our community." Still, as single mothers whose English is at base-level, this journey is a struggle; for them, the success of this business in which they set the rules is essential.
Co-op members have been preparing for business start-up for over a year by engaging in small business and food service trainings and cooperative education sessions. Members meet weekly to develop their business plan and test recipes.
Our Plea to You
The co-op needs your financial help! Starting the first Friday of January, members will begin sales of healthy and hearty soups, salads, sandwiches, and baked goods from a farmers' market in the food desert of downtown Richmond. Their ultimate goal is to sell out of a mobile food truck from which they can serve the Richmond community and achieve financial self-sufficiency. They hope to earn and fundraise for a down payment for a truck. But the funds needed to purchase this truck are hard to come by, so members will continue working to expand their small-scale operation to reach this goal.
Can you help them make the down payment on the truck?
The members of Liberty Ship Café are giving their all to developing the business that will best serve the needs of their community, but raising enough money by selling in a low-income food desert area is a challenging process. Unless the project receives outside funding, it is unlikely that the café will be able to purchase the truck in the near future. Your donation will go directly towards the down payment on the mobile food truck that will allow the members to serve their community and have sufficient income to support themselves and their families with dignity. Any amount helps!
Thank You
Liberty Ship Café is part of a worker co-op incubator project that CCCD is developing in Richmond. The city has an unemployment rate more than 17 percent; the incubator will develop worker cooperatives to create employment, job security, and improved livelihoods. Funding for technical assistance for this project has been provided by East Bay Community Foundation, the CA Endowment, Y&H Soda Foundation, the Sparkplug Fund, and State Farm Insurance. In-kind support is provided by St. Luke's Methodist Church of Richmond, Richmond Veteran's Hall, and East Bay Community Law Center. If you or your organization is interested in donating funds towards this project, please do so here, or by contacting CCCD -- email coops@cccd.coop; Phone (530) 297-1032; Mail 979 F Street, Suite A-1, Davis, CA 95616
2012 Co-op Calendar Celebrates International Year of Cooperatives
The California Center for Cooperative Development will kick off 2012: International Year of Co-ops with a Co-op Calendar! The calendar will celebrate cooperatives by noting significant dates in cooperative history and focus monthly graphics and information on cooperatives today.
Join CCCD in preparing the calendar!
Send Information! If you have historical information or information about significant contemporary events and programs let us know!! When information is included in the calendar based on your submittal you will receive a free calendar.
Send Pictures and Graphics! All submissions are appreciated and those selected will be included in the calendar, and the submitter will be credited and receive a free calendar. Please submit pictures by June 15 with accompanying brief stories about a personal experience, observation or your co-op/co-op support organization’s experience(s) with:
- ANY of the 7 Co-op Principles: 1) Voluntary & Open Membership; 2) Democratic Member Control; 3) Member Economic Participation; 4) Autonomy & Independence; 5) Training & Information; 6) Cooperation among Cooperatives; 7) Concern for Community.
- ANY international experience/project/endeavor/work involving co-ops or co-op support organizations; non-US co-op development; international cooperation involving US co-op development;
- A special/unique community co-op outreach or charitable project or event.
Selection process for pictures and graphics
Multiple entries from a single source are encouraged, however it is likely that only one entry from a single co-op or organization will be used. CCCD staff will work with calendar designers in the selection of photos and graphics using the following criteria: 1) The project or event and its applicability to the categories identified above; 2) quality and appeal of the photo or graphic; 3) Example(s) of each cooperative principle is a goal and will influence the selection of entries; 4) Diversity of co-op type; 5) Diversity by project and event type; 6) Representation of gender, ethnic and racial diversity will be a consideration among similar submissions.
Co-Sponsor the project!
Funds raised from sponsorships will finance the production of the calendar—including coordination, layout, printing, promotion, and distribution. Only co-ops, co-op support organizations, and professionals who focus their practice on cooperatives may co-sponsor the project. We hope for sponsorship diversity—including diverse types of co-ops and co-op support organizations. Such participation and sponsorship will be representative of the sixth principle “Cooperation Among Cooperatives.”
HELP FINANCE THIS UNDERTAKING BY BECOMING A CO-SPONSOR!
Twin Pines Sponsors* contribute $5,000 or more: includes name & logo recognition on calendar (with premium size and location), on CCCD's website (with link to your website), and on all calendar correspondence; 50 free calendars, discount on additional calendars ordered, and CCCD non-profit membership;
Co-op Flag Sponsors* contribute $3,000 or more: includes name & logo recognition on calendar, on CCCD's website, and on most calendar correspondence; 25 free calendars, discount on additional calendars ordered, and CCCD non-profit membership;
Cooperator Sponsors* contribute $1,000 or more: includes name recognition on calendar, 5 free calendars, discount on additional calendars ordered, and CCCD non-profit membership;
Co-op Supporter Sponsors* contribute $500 or more: includes name listing on calendar and a free calendar.
Calendar Free-will Donations* of any amount are gratefully accepted and appreciated!
*CCCD is a 501(c)3 charitable non-profit. Donations are tax deductable to the extent allowable by law.
Download and complete the sponsorship form!
Pre-order your Calendar Today!
Calendar pre-orders are being accepted now. Pre-order retail price for each calendar is $20 (plus shipping and handling). Bulk discounts for orders of more than 20 (please contact CCCD for bulk discounts). We suggest that you consider ordering calendars commemorating International Year of Co-ops
- For your members, employees or clients!
- As a special gift for friends and relations!
- Stock them in your co-op for sale! (Please contact CCCD for wholesale information)
Download and complete the preorder form!