Portland Buy Local invited Rob Brown, director of CDI’s Business Ownership Solutions (BOS), to be the guest speaker at a brown bag luncheon on Thursday, September 7, at the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce. Over 30 business owners and advisors came to learn about converting a business to employee ownership and hear stories about Maine businesses
The Cooperative Development Institute is pleased to announce that we have received four recent grants from the US Department of Agriculture in support of cooperative development. This year marks the 19th time that CDI has received the Rural Cooperative Development Grant. This funding supports our work as the Northeast’s “one-stop shop” for cooperative business assistance,
A Vermont Public Radio story has quoted CDI’s Sarah Martin on our work with Vermont mobile home communities seeking to transition to resident ownership. Sarah Martin is a Cooperative Development Specialist under CDI’s NEROC Program. In the VPR story, Sarah talks about our work supporting the residents of St. George Villa as they take steps to
It’s a big year for cooperatives at the annual Common Ground Country Fair in Unity, Maine. CDI staff and partners are presenting in a variety of workshops, including: Converting a Business to Worker Ownership Friday, September 22, 5pm-6pm in the Social and Political Action Speakers Tent Rob Brown, CDI’s Director of Business Ownership Solutions (BOS)
Our friends at Cooperative Maine are helping put together an inspiring one-day conference, “Creating and Sustaining Vibrant Local Economies in Maine” on March 22 (this Saturday), 9 AM-4 PM, Randall Student Center, Augusta. We like the goals for the day! Goals for the Day (1) What are Vibrant Local Economies in Maine now (find out
The Sol Chariots Pedicab worker co-op in Providence, RI is hiring. Sounds like a fun way to stay in shape, learn some skills, see the city, and earn money. See http://solchariotspedicab.wordpress.com/2014/02/24/sol-chariots-pedicab-co-op-is-hiring/.
The Portland Food Co-op plans to open its doors this September. They currently have 1147 member-owners and need to reach 1400 to open, so are well on their way. They’ve had 100 new member-owners join in the past 10 days! Check out their new video: http://vimeo.com/87714644. CDI Board member and CFNE Outreach Officer Gloria LaBrecque
Our friends at the New Economy Coalition have launched an important initiative: A Youth and Student Grant program, of up to $5,000 per project. What’s even more exciting is that the grants are on a rolling basis. That’s right, there’s no deadline. When you think of your idea and get it fleshed out, that’s when you can apply for
This is it! The Season Finale of My So-Called Housing Cooperative! I decided to release episodes 5 and 6 together, and once you watch them, you will probably understand why. Thanks for watching and please forward to anyone you think would enjoy it. Episode 5: No Chainsaws at Group Meetings (11 minutes) Annie’s axe goes missing
save the date! March 8: AORTA Conflict Resolution Workshop in Providence Dear Providence & Boston-Area friends, We’re excited to offer a public workshop facilitated by AORTA trainer Jenna Peters-Golden on March 8 in Providence! Here are the details: Resolutions not Ruins: Conflict Resolution in Your Organization and Collective As in all communities, conflict in organizations is unavoidable. It is also uncomfortable.
