Native Co-op Exploration Rez’ Café Native Co-op Exploration

Flow of the Session 1 2 3 4 5 What brings us together today? What is a cooperative organization? 3 Bismarck Downtown Artist’s Coop 4 Bis/Man Community Food Coop 5 Rez’ Café Discussion

What Brings Us Together Today? Exploratory Meeting What is the Need What is the Opportunity What is the Vision

Native American Talent Pool Cooperative Marketing Native Artworks Native Events Native Experiences

What Is a Cooperative? 1 2 3 4 5 Member Owned Member Controlled Members Benefit from Using the Co-op 4 Working Together for Mutual Needs 5 A Distinct Legal Structure

Cooperative Principles Voluntary and Open Membership Democratic Member Control Member Economic Participation Cooperation Among Cooperatives Education, Training & Information Autonomy & Independence Concern for Community

How Cooperatives Benefit Communities Goods and services are provided according to what people need and want Profits go back to the member-owners Co-ops understand and respond to local needs Decisions are made to benefit people locally Co-ops support & stimulate community connections

Challenges to Overcome Co-ops require frequent communication with members Members can have unrealistic expectations Members must be invested Co-ops require strong Board leadership They can have limited economies of scale Co-op structure can make access to capital more difficult May face competition with investor-owned businesses The co-op must have adequate market potential You must attract and retain highly qualified management NOTE: #5-9 are challenges for most small business. #8-9 are true for any business.

Critical Requirements 1 Communication 2 Commitment 3 Common vision and goals 4 Capital 5 Leadership 6 Planning

Co-op Development Model Three Stages of Development Organize Plan Implement

Four Cornerstones Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 You will require the strong foundation of these cornerstones throughout your organizing process Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 VISION TALENT CAPITAL SYSTEMS

BDAC Different levels of membership ownership Patron members Supporting members Full Gallery member

BisMan Community Food Co-op Consumer-owned Co-op $200 lifetime membership 10% off once a month Once profitable, patronage dividends are issued to owners

Rez’ Café Questions Question 1 Question 2 Question 3 How can a Native Cooperative organization preserve culture and not commercialize it? Question 2 In what ways does a cooperative model of business fit with Native American values? Question 3 Is there value in pursuing this idea and, if so, what will it take to succeed?

? Do you have any questions? ? ?