Please provide a brief update on your progress toward your proposed CWB goals in the last reporting period:
Our top priority this quarter was to execute the contract which required significant communication with the City grants/finance teams to finalize the budget which also included some correspondence negotiating an affordable cyber security insurance policy. MR also experienced internal staff changes which added an unexpected challenge. In addition to the contract finalization process senior staff spent significant time updating and developing specific project goals and work plans to align with the changing timeline of the contract and payment schedule. We developed the job description for the new staff position to be assigned to the project, drafted the scope and templates for the advisory committee MOUs and outreach and engagement process. We also began the review and revision of the original Early Warning manual, the primary reference document for developing the workshop and outreach training program. MR attended various meetings with the CWB Hub team and other ecosystem providers. We have also begun meeting with ecosystem stakeholders outside the Hub that could be potential advisors to or participants in the training program.
What constraints or limitations, if any, did you experience in the last reporting period?
MR experienced significant financial hardship during the long delay and uncertainty of the contract execution. The assigned program staff were forced to take pay deferments and it limited the overall amount of time that we could dedicate to this project due to other financial commitments and constraints.
What opportunities, if any, did you take advantage of in the last reporting period?
Despite hardships, we still participated in all CWB Hub activities to learn more about other providers and share our own program design and development.
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 able to have introductory meetings with several of the grantees and TA providers including Sarah Kaplan at Cutting Edge Counsel; Stacy Sutton at the UofI; Zen Trenholm of DAWI and Sequane Lawrence at the Revolution Workshop. In each conversation, we shared a bit about our scope of work and agreed to continue the dialogue as the projects move forward.
Did you collaborate with other TA providers in the last reporting period?
No
Which TA provider(s) did you work with?
Please share on behalf of whom / which projects you collaborated with the TA providers above:
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)
3
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?
Not applicable at this time
What are the greatest gaps in service or resources in Chicago's CWB ecosystem?
Not able to report at this time.
Please share any direct testimonials from Worker Cooperatives, Conversions, or Co-op Developers clients or storytelling about the impact of your work this period:
Not able to report at this time
Please upload media (document with testimonials, photos, or video links) from WC workshops or events held.
