What proportion of Goal 1 overall is complete at this point?
30%
What are the barriers and opportunities for completion that impacted goal 1 in the last month?
We realized that we have been conducting detailed needs assessment through our client intake calls for BSC the non profit. We are reviewing our market research over the years and realized that we have covered major ground and now need to update this research with inputs from the leadership circle and potential members. While the feasibility study will still take time to be completed, we are discovering that the parts which comprise a feasibility study have been with us over the years and we just need a structure and template to package it together after refining and updating certain aspects of the market research.
What proportion of Goal 2 overall is complete at this point?
50%
What are the barriers and opportunities for completion that you impacted goal 2 in the last month?
The leadership circle turned a corner over the last few weeks with two major milestones, one learning and practicing decision making as a collective and second taking ownership of the agenda for its meetings. BSC the non profit has stepped back from designing the agendas as well as has created spaces for the group to step up into roles as sub committees for vision of the co-op, feasibility study and
What proportion of Goal 3 overall is complete at this point?
40%
What are the barriers and opportunities for completion that you impacted goal 3 in the last month?
In the month of May, the work on co-op communications was developed through our work with the marketing agency which is helping BSC with our rebrand. The co-op is a big part of our rebrand as that is a transition for BSC's future. The marketing agency engaged in some strategic conversations about the implications of the rebrand on the co-op and vice versa.
Did you access Technical Assistance for your CWB project last month?
Yes
Which TA provider(s) did you work with within the Phase I CWEB grantees?
| TA Provider | Hours Spent | Satisfaction |
|---|---|---|
|
Illinois Worker Cooperative Alliance - Seed Commons |
1 |
Somewhat satisfied |
Which TA providers did you work with OUTSIDE of the Phase I CWEB grantees?
| TA Provider | Hours Spent | Satisfaction |
|---|---|---|
|
Sankofa Research Institute |
16 |
Very satisfied |
|
That's So Creative |
15 |
Very satisfied |
Did someone from your organization attend the Working Group this month?
Yes
How would you rate the usefulness of the working group to your project last month? (on a scale of 1-5)
Very useful
How would you rate the usefulness of the Working Group for building community?
Very useful
What have been the two most valuable contributions of the Working Group this month?
Please share any comments about the working group meetings.
How many TOTAL housing units did you preserve or create last month? (it is okay if the answer is zero)
0
How many TOTAL CWB businesses did you develop last month? (it is okay if the answer is zero)
0
Number of stakeholder meetings held related to your Pre-Development Project?
8
Number of community meetings attended last month related to your Pre-Development Project?
2
Service / Capacity
| Service | Capacity |
|---|---|
|
Accounting & Financial Management |
3 some ability |
|
Advocacy |
4 |
|
Conflict Resolution |
3 some ability |
|
Cooperative Development and Operations |
3 some ability |
|
Education & Training |
5 extensive ability |
|
Fundraising or Raising Capital |
4 |
|
Governance / Legal |
3 some ability |
|
Marketing & Communications |
4 |
|
Other |
N/A |
|
Project Management |
3 some ability |
|
Real Estate Acquisition & Development |
N/A |
|
Relationship Building |
5 extensive ability |
|
Research |
1 limited ability |
Other (please describe and include ranking)
As a group we were challenged with conflict a few times in May and we used those opportunities to tackle the challenges through guided facilitation and support from our consultant at Sankofa Research Institute. That's why we improved the ranking on conflict resolution from 1 in April to 3 in May. In addition we are spending a lot of time as a co-op in education and training as a co-op
What constraints or limitations with internal capacity is the organizarion experiencing related to its Pre-Development Project?
The democratic process of the co-op has been a huge learning opportunity for BSC the non-profit. We are struggling with questions around power, control, responsibilities, authority etc.
What opportunities, if any, did the organization take advantage of related to its Pre-Development Project?
We were able to take a conflict that arose around a decision making practice session and use it as an opportunity to delve into the issues identified above. We are not done evaluating these issues and our work will take time but we look back at this as a challenge turned into an opportunity.
Please use this space to elaborate, contextualize, or add any additional info about the details submitted in your report:
