Please provide a brief update on your progress toward your proposed CWB goals in the last reporting period:
We facilitated a webinar on democratic management best practices for the Chicago Worker Cooperative Developer Fellowship. We also provided coaching on our fellow's project design roadmaps to prepare them to present their coop development models at the closing retreat in September. Separately, we hosted a Worker Cooperative Matchmaker event attended by the city, worker cooperatives and developers, and the broader business service community. We finalized plans for the closing retreat of the Worker Cooperative Developer Fellowship in September. Alongside the US Federation of Worker Cooperatives we are also coproducing the national Worker Cooperative Conference to be held at the Chicago Teachers Union in September; we shaped several sessions that highlights the city's historic investment in CWB and the work of our local worker cooperative partners.
What constraints or limitations, if any, did you experience in the last reporting period?
The city's vouchering processes and policies have been challenging and difficult to navigate as we continue to meet our project goals.
What opportunities, if any, did you take advantage of in the last reporting period?
We attended the city's Small Business Expo to connect with service providers and share information and resources on worker ownership.
Did you establish new CWB relationships/partnerships in the last reporting period?
Yes
Please describe the relationships you established pertaining to your CWB work.
We were connected with Jeffrey Milam of Invisible LLC who are interested in transitioning to a worker-owned coop themselves, and providing bookkeeping & financial services for coops. We also connected with Uptima Entrepreneur Collective and Fifteen Cents Ventures (15cV), a social finance studio and impact investing fund.
Did you collaborate with other TA providers in the last reporting period?
Yes
Which TA provider(s) did you work with?
Coop Ed Center, Centro Trabajadores Unidos, Revolution Institute, ChiCommons, Chicago Community and Workers' Rights, UIC, Upside Down Consulting, Project Equity, and Kola Nut Collaborative
Please share on behalf of whom / which projects you collaborated with the TA providers above:
Worker Coop Developer Fellowship and Matchmaker Event
Did you attend the Working Group meeting last month?
No
How would you rate the usefulness of the working group to your project last month? (on a scale of 1-5)
5 extremely useful
Optional Space
Community Area(s) (select all that apply)
| Community Area | Participants Served in this Community Area |
|---|---|
| Austin | 1 |
| Englewood | 2 |
| Logan Square | 2 |
| Lower West Side | 1 |
| Near West Side | 2 |
| South Chicago | 1 |
| South Deering | 1 |
| Uptown | 1 |
| West Garfield Park | 1 |
| Woodlawn | 1 |
Race / Ethnicity of Participants (select all that apply)
Other Race/Ethnicity (please specify)
2 Hispanic that preferred not to state race or chose Other, 1 American Indian or Alaskan Native
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)?
3
How many group workshops for Worker Cooperatives, Conversions, or Co-op Developers did you conduct this reporting period? (e.g. convenings, workshops, events, etc.)
2
How many hours of support to CWB Pre-Development Worker Cooperatives, Conversions, or Co-op Developers did you provide this reporting period?
0
How many hours of support to existing Worker Cooperatives, Conversions, or Co-op Developers did you provide this reporting period?
2.75
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?
0
How many hours of popular education/outreach did you provide last month?
2.50
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?
The need to develop a worker cooperative advocacy network and agenda to continue organizing for additional resources to fully nurture the growing worker coop sector.
What are the greatest gaps in service or resources in Chicago's CWB ecosystem?
Cooperative fluent accountants and bookkeepers; cooperative fluent business service providers (e.g. business planning), infrastructure to ensure that this support continues to be provided beyond the CWB funding timeline
Please share any direct testimonials from Worker Cooperatives, Conversions, or Co-op Developers clients or storytelling about the impact of your work this period:
See attachments
Please upload media (document with testimonials, photos, or video links) from WC workshops or events held.
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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:
