Please provide a brief update on your progress toward your proposed CWB goals in the last reporting period:
Las Visionarias Co-op: - We followed up with student lawyer Edgar Lucero Castillo with Community Enterprise & Solidarity Clinic. - - We reviewed the bylaws and suggested a couple of changes. We will meet one more time in April to give it the final approval. - Edgar also informed us that the visionaries will have to report through the FINCEN website once the transition to LLC is done. (The Corporate Transparency Act). - We have a possible new member, Maria who is currently doing the workshops and has met the Visionarias. - We had to postpone the open house for now due to the fact that the downstairs basement is used as the assembly for the Greenhouse being installed in the backyard. - We have been working on a spreadsheet to budget for the needed equipment that will be submitted to Eric from Seed Commons who will help us apply for a pilot loan. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1og6ySsdaJ1S3hAimxViJHyzINgHdDi4-kHpaR-pAOiM/edit?usp=sharing MADEN Cleaning Co-op: - Moises and Karina held social media training with MADEN cleaning Co-op during two consecutive Fridays. (See pictures) - Karina met with them on two Mondays in March to continue working on their Brochure and business cards. - We continue to work on their business plan and start up budget. Workshops: - We have completed Phase 1 of our co-op training series. - 5. Mondragon Experience - Thursday, March 7, 2024. - 6. Cooperation/La Cooperación - Thursday, March 21, 2024 - 7. Governance and Structure. Gobernanza y estructura, March 28, 2024. - We have scheduled a Conflict Resolution session with Mike Strode, Kola Nut Collaborative on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 6:00pm. - We are still trying to schedule a Kitchen Managers license Application with Agile Kitchens In Chicago. - We have completed phase one of the Cooperative Workshop Series. We will be doing a final exam in April. - We have scheduled the next series of training with the phase 1 graduates. (See Calendar).
What constraints or limitations, if any, did you experience in the last reporting period?
- The constraints have been mostly with trying to coordinate the meetings with all the members present due to the fact that we've all had an unusually busy month in March.
What opportunities, if any, did you take advantage of in the last reporting period?
I took advantage of some business webinars from Southland Development - We applied for a free Serve save certification manager license - hopefully we will get get. It will be extremely useful for one of the new members that is planning to join the Visionarias co-op.
Did you establish new CWB relationships/partnerships in the last reporting period?
Yes
Please describe the relationships you established pertaining to your CWB work.
I met Mike Strode during our in person Dawi cohort sessions at UIC and we now have scheduled a conflict resolution webinar that will be held on May 14, 2024. I also invited Deandra from Justice Cream to join us during one of our co-op workshops. I am awaiting to hear back on dates when they're available.
Did you collaborate with other TA providers in the last reporting period?
Yes
Which TA provider(s) did you work with?
Community Enterprise and Solidarity, Eric Rodriguez - IWCA
Please share on behalf of whom / which projects you collaborated with the TA providers above:
Community Enterprise and Solidarity Economy clinic - Las Visionarias IWCA - MADEN cleaning coop Mike Strode, Kola Nut Collaborative- Co-op members and Staff Justice Cream - On behalf of Visionarias Co-op and Maden cleaning co-op. And also the developing trucking coop.
Did you attend the Working Group meeting last month?
Yes
How would you rate the usefulness of the working group to your project last month? (on a scale of 1-5)
4
Optional Space
Community Area(s) (select all that apply)
| Community Area | Participants Served in this Community Area |
|---|---|
| Hegewisch | 1 |
| South Shore | 1 |
| Englewood | 1 |
| Lower West Side | 3 |
| East Side | 3 |
| Near West Side | 1 |
Race / Ethnicity of Participants (select all that apply)
Gender identity of Participants (select all that apply)
Age Range of Participants (select all that apply)
How many sessions of one-on-one consulting to Worker Cooperatives, Conversions, or Co-op Developers did you conduct this reporting period? (e.g. one group or individual with one training provider)?
6
How many group workshops for Worker Cooperatives, Conversions, or Co-op Developers did you conduct this reporting period? (e.g. convenings, workshops, events, etc.)
15
How many hours of support to CWB Pre-Development Worker Cooperatives, Conversions, or Co-op Developers did you provide this reporting period?
14
How many hours of support to existing Worker Cooperatives, Conversions, or Co-op Developers did you provide this reporting period?
20
How many co-op businesses did you develop last reporting period? (It's okay if the answer is 0)
0
How many jobs were created overall last reporting period? (It's okay if the answer is 0)
0
Please list the Worker Cooperatives, Conversions, or Co-op Developers Organizations you worked with this reporting period.
What type(s) of Technical Assistance did you provide to Worker Cooperatives, Conversions, or Co-op Developers this reporting period? Select all that apply.
Did you provide education to any Worker Cooperatives, Conversions, or Co-op Developers this reporting period?
Yes
How many hours of cohort education/training did you provide last month?
8
How many hours of popular education/outreach did you provide last month?
4
Number of curriculum material(s) created last month
0
How did you market your services and conduct outreach in the last reporting period? Select all that apply.
What are the greatest needs that your WC clients/partners expressed in this reporting period?
Help with social media
What are the greatest gaps in service or resources in Chicago's CWB ecosystem?
Raising funds for start up capital
Please share any direct testimonials from Worker Cooperatives, Conversions, or Co-op Developers clients or storytelling about the impact of your work this period:
Please upload media (document with testimonials, photos, or video links) from WC workshops or events held.
Did your organization provide any additional TA support this reporting period that was NOT covered in the previous tabs?
No
Please describe the type(s) of organizations you supported (i.e. nonprofits, business service orgs, etc.)
How many total organizations or entities did you support (that were not covered in the previous tabs)?
How many total hours of support did you provide to these organizations?
Please share any other relevant details about the support you provided these organizations:
