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Understanding
Cooperatives
UNIT 7—Mini Cooperative Business
Experience
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Printable
Documents Unit 7
Teaching Tools
Instructor
Discussion Guide
Handout 7.1 -
Planning Meeting Agenda
Handout
7.2 - Articles of Incorporation
Handout
7.3 - Bylaws
Handout
7.4 - Ideas for Cooperative Projects and Activities
Handout
7.5 - Committee Work Descriptions
Handout
7.6 - Organizational Meeting Agenda
Handout
7.7 - First Board Meeting Agenda
Handout
7.8 - Vacancy Announcement (general manager position)
Handout
7.9 - Application Form (for manager position)
Handout
7.10 - Agenda for Membership and Board Meetings
Handout
7.11 - Membership
Meeting Ideas
Handout
7.12 - Stock Certificate Example
Handout
7.13 - Membership Certificates
Handout
7.14 - Treasurer's Report
Handout
7.15 - Operating Statement
Handout
7.16 - Balance Sheet
Handout
7.17 - Final Meeting Agenda
Unit 7
PowerPoint Slides
Seventeen slides correspond to the Handouts.
Teacher References
CIR 7: How
to Start a Cooperative
Student References
CIR 7: How
to Start a Cooperative
Video Reference
How to Start a Cooperative (VHS Color, 31
minutes)
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Unit 7 - Mini Cooperative Business Experience
Objective
The objective of this unit is for the
student to acquire a basic knowledge and understanding of economic and
business principles through the use of a "Learn By Doing"
activity.
After completion, the student should:
1. Have a basic understanding of how to
organize and operate a business.
2. Be familiar with the basic legal and
financial documents needed to operate a cooperative business.
3. Have a basic understanding of how a
cooperative functions and operates.
4. Be aware of how economic concepts apply
to her/'his life.
Instructor Directions
1. Become familiar with the instructional
information provided as well as the suggested reference materials.
2. Lead the activity using the handouts
and/or suggested references. Follow the
discussion guide questions and outline.
3. To maximize the learning experience, the
instructor must act as a consultant to the business. This means the
students must make the decisions and NOT the instructor. Thus, to
demonstrate and make economic and business principles "come
alive," the instructor must allow the students to make mistakes.
4. One of the roles the instructor should play
is that of the government. The instructor is responsible for determining
the environment in which the MINI COOPERATIVE must operate. Before
organizing the MINI COOPERATIVE, the instructor must decide what rules or
guidelines are necessary to conduct this activity. These rules or guidelines
become laws that must be followed. As the activity progresses, the instructor
may need to change or add laws as the situation warrants. This is one of the
ways the instructor may program in various problems and situations that demonstrate
economic and business principles. It prevents the simulation from becoming
unrealistic.
NOTE: Make laws only when they are
absolutely necessary to maintain good public relations in keeping the MINI
COOPERATIVE within educational goals. The instructor must be able to
distinguish between decisions made by the students that are acceptable and
are not acceptable. It is important that students be permitted to make
mistakes. Often mistakes provide valuable educational lessons for the
participants.
Some of the "laws" you might want
to consider are:
1. Eligibility for
membership (target audience).
2. Age students must
be to be elected and serve on the board of directors.
3. How long the MINI
COOPERATIVE will operate.
4. Type and/or
extent of activities the cooperative will undertake.
5. Financial reports
required.
6. Limits on
profits, patronage refunds, and dividends.
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