Sunday, December 19, 2010
Thanks to applicants!
Thanks to everyone who applied to our project coordinator job posting! We're working through the applications and will be responding as soon as possible. A final decision will be made and applicants notified of the outcome by December 31, 2010.
Friday, December 10, 2010
cultivate.coop launched
"It has been said that cooperativism is an economic movement that uses the methods of education. This definition can also be modified to affirm that cooperativism is an educational movement that uses the methods of economics.”
-Don José María Arizmendiarrieta MadariagaDear friends,
It’s time to democratize our economy by democratizing knowledge:Cultivate.Coop is officially launched and live. Visit the website now!
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Job Posting: Data Commons Cooperative Project Coordinator
Data Commons Cooperative Project Coordinator
The Data Commons Cooperative Project (http://dcp.usworker.coop) is the beneficiary of a $37,313 USDA Rural Business Enterprise Grant, which is funding this coordinator position. The grant was obtained on behalf of the Data Commons by the Cooperative Development Institute (www.cdi.coop), a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in western Mass.
The coordinator would be expected to telecommute from a home office, preferably in North America.
Work hours are estimated to range from 6 to 10 hours per week, over the course of about 1 year.
Compensation: $15,000 set salary over the life of the project.
Primary Roles
Bottomline the following tasks, with input and support from the steering committee, operations team, tech team, and advisory group (together, the DCP groups):
Operations/Administrative Coordination
Encourage and actively support democratic participation as an integral part of the organizing process.
Schedule, set agendas, and maintain records for meetings of DCP groups.
Maintain the Data Commons management googlesite.
Coordinate communication among the DCP groups.
Coordinate communication with Data Sharing Organizations.
Coordinate logistics for in-person meetings, with support from CDI staff.
Administrative tasks as needed, with support from CDI staff.
Organizational Development
Create/add to current database of potential members, with an emphasis on building a broad and inclusive pool of members and data sharing organizations.
Research and present different organizational models that may be suitable for the Data Commons Cooperative; facilitate a process for the Steering Committee to reach a conclusion on desired structure (e.g. consumer, worker, or hybrid co-op; or other).
Draft articulation of benefits and contributions of cooperative membership for each membership tier or class.
Develop and implement plan for recruiting members and promoting the DCC.
Assist with development of job descriptions for 2-3 worker-members.
Feasibility Study
Solicit input from all DCP groups and conduct market research, with the assistance of a business consultant and CDI staff.
Coordinate with CDI staff to complete a feasibility study.
Business Plan
Lead DCP groups through a business planning process, with assistance and support from a business consultant and CDI staff as needed. Gather and consolidate input from all these sources, and develop a business plan that includes both narrative and financial projections.
Legal Formation
Assist with development of organizational & governance structures and facilitate input from DCP groups to ensure that structures reflect the desired goals and principles of DCP groups.
Assist with incorporation process, including proofreading and editing Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, and membership agreements.
Develop board policy handbook.
Grant Management
Write quarterly status reports for the USDA on progress toward project’s goals.
Draft a final management report for the USDA detailing goals, activities, and milestones reached; and draft a detailed plan of management objectives for subsequent 12 months. CDI staff will assist in drafting and in finalizing the reports and plan.
Qualifications
Knowledge of working models for worker ownership, consumer cooperatives, and/or non-profit cooperatives.
Experience with business planning and market research.
Community and/or cooperative organizing experience.
Knowledge of the breadth of the cooperative sector in US and Canada.
Strong organizational skills; attention to detail.
Ability to communicate effectively in a variety of formats, including strong written communication skills.
Experience with and commitment to collaborative or consensus-based decision-making.
Ability to work independently and within a team, while managing a variety of tasks.
Computer skills: experience and familiarity with word processing programs, spreadsheet programs, database programs, email programs, client management systems, and website publishing.
Ability to problem-solve and self-teach.
To Apply
Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and at least two references to info@cdi.coop. Applications are due by December 17, 2010. A selection will be made and applicants notified of the decision by December 31, 2010.
CDI is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with Federal law and the U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discrimination on the base of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)
To file a complaint of discrimination, contact:
USDA
Director, Office of Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410
or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (voice and TDD).
The Data Commons Cooperative Project (http://dcp.usworker.coop) is the beneficiary of a $37,313 USDA Rural Business Enterprise Grant, which is funding this coordinator position. The grant was obtained on behalf of the Data Commons by the Cooperative Development Institute (www.cdi.coop), a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in western Mass.
The coordinator would be expected to telecommute from a home office, preferably in North America.
Work hours are estimated to range from 6 to 10 hours per week, over the course of about 1 year.
Compensation: $15,000 set salary over the life of the project.
Primary Roles
Bottomline the following tasks, with input and support from the steering committee, operations team, tech team, and advisory group (together, the DCP groups):
Operations/Administrative Coordination
Encourage and actively support democratic participation as an integral part of the organizing process.
Schedule, set agendas, and maintain records for meetings of DCP groups.
Maintain the Data Commons management googlesite.
Coordinate communication among the DCP groups.
Coordinate communication with Data Sharing Organizations.
Coordinate logistics for in-person meetings, with support from CDI staff.
Administrative tasks as needed, with support from CDI staff.
Organizational Development
Create/add to current database of potential members, with an emphasis on building a broad and inclusive pool of members and data sharing organizations.
Research and present different organizational models that may be suitable for the Data Commons Cooperative; facilitate a process for the Steering Committee to reach a conclusion on desired structure (e.g. consumer, worker, or hybrid co-op; or other).
Draft articulation of benefits and contributions of cooperative membership for each membership tier or class.
Develop and implement plan for recruiting members and promoting the DCC.
Assist with development of job descriptions for 2-3 worker-members.
Feasibility Study
Solicit input from all DCP groups and conduct market research, with the assistance of a business consultant and CDI staff.
Coordinate with CDI staff to complete a feasibility study.
Business Plan
Lead DCP groups through a business planning process, with assistance and support from a business consultant and CDI staff as needed. Gather and consolidate input from all these sources, and develop a business plan that includes both narrative and financial projections.
Legal Formation
Assist with development of organizational & governance structures and facilitate input from DCP groups to ensure that structures reflect the desired goals and principles of DCP groups.
Assist with incorporation process, including proofreading and editing Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, and membership agreements.
Develop board policy handbook.
Grant Management
Write quarterly status reports for the USDA on progress toward project’s goals.
Draft a final management report for the USDA detailing goals, activities, and milestones reached; and draft a detailed plan of management objectives for subsequent 12 months. CDI staff will assist in drafting and in finalizing the reports and plan.
Qualifications
Knowledge of working models for worker ownership, consumer cooperatives, and/or non-profit cooperatives.
Experience with business planning and market research.
Community and/or cooperative organizing experience.
Knowledge of the breadth of the cooperative sector in US and Canada.
Strong organizational skills; attention to detail.
Ability to communicate effectively in a variety of formats, including strong written communication skills.
Experience with and commitment to collaborative or consensus-based decision-making.
Ability to work independently and within a team, while managing a variety of tasks.
Computer skills: experience and familiarity with word processing programs, spreadsheet programs, database programs, email programs, client management systems, and website publishing.
Ability to problem-solve and self-teach.
To Apply
Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and at least two references to info@cdi.coop. Applications are due by December 17, 2010. A selection will be made and applicants notified of the decision by December 31, 2010.
CDI is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with Federal law and the U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discrimination on the base of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)
To file a complaint of discrimination, contact:
USDA
Director, Office of Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410
or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (voice and TDD).
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