Please provide a brief update on your progress toward your proposed CWB goals in the last reporting period:
We co-facilitated a webinar on worker cooperative loan readiness for several of our Chicago Worker Cooperative Developer cohort. We also reviewed two cooperative development project roadmaps. We also facilitated several introductions between fellows and other EO partners and between fellows and professional TA providers. We presented at Manufacturing Renaissance's WARN system convening. Finally, we began early stage conversations with Revolution Institute and others around a city-supported legacy business preservation initiative.
What constraints or limitations, if any, did you experience in the last reporting period?
As mentioned previously, we have been navigating the city's vouchering and budget revision process. We submitted our budget revision and are awaiting final approval before submitting our vouchers; we have yet to be compensated for our work in 2024.
What opportunities, if any, did you take advantage of in the last reporting period?
We have connected with several professional service providers at several events in Chicago and elsewhere and offered to broker connections.
Did you establish new CWB relationships/partnerships in the last reporting period?
No
Please describe the relationships you established pertaining to your CWB work.
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, Revolution Institute, IL Center for Employee Ownership
Please share on behalf of whom / which projects you collaborated with the TA providers above:
Chicago Worker Cooperative Developer Fellowship, Manufacturing Renaissance's Early Warning Training series, and a nascent discussion of a city-supported legacy business preservation initiative.
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
Community Area(s) (select all that apply)
| Community Area | Participants Served in this Community Area |
|---|---|
| South Deering | 1 |
| Englewood | 2 |
| Woodlawn | 1 |
| Uptown | 1 |
| Logan Square | 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)?
2
How many group workshops for Worker Cooperatives, Conversions, or Co-op Developers did you conduct this reporting period? (e.g. convenings, workshops, events, etc.)
1
How many hours of support to CWB Pre-Development Worker Cooperatives, Conversions, or Co-op Developers did you provide this reporting period?
2
How many hours of support to existing Worker Cooperatives, Conversions, or Co-op Developers did you provide this reporting period?
2
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.
Other organization (please specify):
Chi Commons, Justice Cream, Earth Seed Landscaping
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?
Ongoing local association of worker coops and coop developers that can meet collective needs through joint advocacy, business services, and partnerships.
What are the greatest gaps in service or resources in Chicago's CWB ecosystem?
Lack of ongoing worker coop ecosystem infrastructure to continue facilitating an ongoing community of learning and practice.
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?
Yes
Please describe the type(s) of organizations you supported (i.e. nonprofits, business service orgs, etc.)
We directly connected Earth Seed Landscaping Cooperative and Justice Cream/Liberation Labs to a cooperative bookkeeper/accounting firm based in NY. They were in need of a cooperative fluent professional service provider and Capital Bookkeeping Cooperative was interested in building client relationships in Chicago. We also shared this opportunity to the full cohort and Jenna subsequently promoted this via the working group listserv. We also presented on cooperative business transitions and the Workers to Owners Collaborative at Manufacturing Renaissance's Early Warning training series. There were 23 individuals from 19 organizations representing small businesses, chambers of commerce, business service providers, CBOs, and coop development organizations. Finally, we facilitated several conversations with the Revolution Institute on a city supported legacy business preservation initiative. We connected them to the IL Center for Employee Ownership which is also interested in supporting this.
How many total organizations or entities did you support (that were not covered in the previous tabs)?
5
How many total hours of support did you provide to these organizations?
8
Please share any other relevant details about the support you provided these organizations:
