Overall Responsibility
The steering committee will coordinate all tasks needed to move the co-op from its early stages through the establishment of more formal structures. Depending on the group’s time and resources, the committee may do the following tasks itself or it may contract with outside consultants for professional assistance.
Specific Responsibilities (of the committee as a whole)
- Coordinate all research and information gathering
- Survey potential members
- Establish membership structure and recruit members
- Oversee collection of market research and studies to determine the co-op’s feasibility
- Ensure completion of a feasibility study, including financial projections
- Explore options for financing and pursue initial inquiries with financing agencies
- Report on the committee’s progress to members and coordinate membership meetings as needed
- If the initial research proves that a co-op is feasible, oversee preparation of a complete business plan
- Handle public relations, including inquires from the media and publicity about the co-op’s accomplishments and progress
Suggested Subcommittees
- Planning Committee: Conducts the feasibility study, research locations, handles real estate negotiations, coordinates operational planning (research on equipment, local regulations, suppliers, etc.) and coordinate preparation of business plan
- Finance Committee: Develops financial projections, researches funding options, coordinates a campaign for member loans
- Membership Committee: Researches membership structures, prepares membership administration paperwork, coordinates recruitment of new members, organize membership communications (newsletters, websites, etc.) and meetings, survey members, plan outreach to the community