Please provide a brief update on your progress toward your proposed CWB goals in the last reporting period:
We shaped the design and curriculum for the Chicago Cooperative Developer Cohort with input from local partners including UIC, Upside Down Consulting, Centro Trabajadores Unidos, and Chicago Community and Workers' Rights. We are launching the application for the cohort at the end of the month and will be selecting participants in December. Feedback from local partners was critical in informing the cohort's content and structure. We also interviewed several Chicago WEB grantees to inform our ecosystem education plans for next year including UIC, Manufacturing Renaissance, and Project Equity. We heard clearly that there is a need for accountants and bookkeepers familiar with cooperative business structures. We are developing a recruitment plan and training series to address this service gap. We are also shaping a broader business service provider event and training program for next year with input from the worker cooperative working group. This would include an emphasis on business retention and equipping 'trusted messengers' to refer their clients to a simple referral process hosted on the CCWBE platform. We are finalizing these proposals in October and November.
What constraints or limitations, if any, did you experience in the last reporting period?
While the delay in finalizing the contract didn't affect our ability to develop our programs, we did notice that it was a challenge for several organizations that we have been working with to scope our projects. We are grateful that most if not all of the contracts have been finalized and are excited to continue working with our partners to shape our projects together.
What opportunities, if any, did you take advantage of in the last reporting period?
We really appreciate the worker cooperative working group that UIC helps to convene. It's an important community of learning and practice and we're grateful for the opportunity to present ideas for input and constructive feedback. This has been helpful in shaping our cooperative ecosystem education plans.
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 developed and in some cases deepened our relationships to Coop Ed Center, Centro Trabajadores Unidos, and Chicago Community and Workers' Rights. They have been critical informants to the design of our Chicago Cooperative Developers Cohort and their staff members and partners may also participate. We also connected with A Bookkeeping Cooperative, a national-serving worker cooperative to see how they can help us build cooperative financial literacy amongst worker coops themselves and the capacity of cooperative developers to provide this training.
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, Chicago Community and Workers' Rights, UIC, Manufacturing Renaissance, and Project Equity
Please share on behalf of whom / which projects you collaborated with the TA providers above:
The design and content for the Chicago Cooperative Developer Cohort and our developing cooperative ecosystem training services.
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)
5 extremely useful
Optional Space
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)?
0
How many group workshops for Worker Cooperatives, Conversions, or Co-op Developers did you conduct this reporting period? (e.g. convenings, workshops, events, etc.)
0
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?
0
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?
No
What are the greatest needs that your WC clients/partners expressed in this reporting period?
NA
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)
Please share any direct testimonials from Worker Cooperatives, Conversions, or Co-op Developers clients or storytelling about the impact of your work this period:
NA
Please upload media (document with testimonials, photos, or video links) from WC workshops or events held.
