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Tools, Resources & Strategies for Co-op Advocates Advocating for co-ops can be challenging. Where do you start? Whom do you contact? What do you say? In this complimentary webinar, co-produced by the National Cooperative Business Association (NCBA) and the Campaign for Cooperation, you’ll get insights and strategies you can use immediately — from contacting and engaging with elected officials and staff to following up for maximum effect. Participants will receive: - A comprehensive overview of the advocacy process - Talking points for discussing co-ops with legislators - Insights into the National Cooperative Development Act and its impact on jobs and the economy - A Public Policy Toolkit for the 2012 International Year of Cooperatives - The opportunity to interact with experts Moderator - Peter Frank, Cooperation Works! Presenters - R.L. Condra, NCBA - Amy Johnson, US Federation of Worker Cooperatives - Andrew McLeod, Cooperation Works! Urban Circle - Bob Noble, Philadelphia Area Cooperative Alliance - Lisa Stolarski, NCBA Who Should Participate? - Cooperative developers, representatives and volunteers - Members of community service organizations - All who want to support the co-op movement
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Advocacy 101 for Co-opsPeter Frank
Advocacy Coordinator, Cooperation Works - Urban Circle
July 31, 2012
R.L. Condra – Director of Public Policy, NCBA
Lisa Stolarski – Chair – Cooperation Works - Urban Circle Executive Director – Co-ops USA
Amy Johnson – US Federation of Worker Cooperatives
Bob Noble – Philadelphia Area Cooperative Alliance
Andrew McLeod – Cooperation Works – Urban Circle
Why Advocate?
• What do we mean by advocacy?
• What advocacy work is being done for co-ops?
Why Advocate?• Beyond the Beltway - local governments and co-ops
• Pass the National Cooperative Development Act!
How to Advocate
• Goal is to motivate your elected official to act– co-sponsor a bill, appropriations request, rule change, etc.
• How do we get co-ops on their radar?– They are very busy people
How to advocate
• We need to deliver the right message at the right time, delivered the right way
• Methods of communication– Email - Fax - Letter - Phone - In-person meeting
How to advocate
• Prepare for your meeting – Messages, paperwork– Organize a delegation, practice
• What’s the right message?– Relate to issues important to your Member of Congress:– Growing the middle class– Giving consumers affordable options– Sustaining small, locally owned businesses– Growing local economies & community development
How to advocate
• The actual meeting – Short amount of time – Co-op 101– Relevance to their district– Ask for requested action (become a co-sponsor, etc.)
• After the meeting– Report back– Follow-up
Real advocacy experience
• Congressman Fattah – Lisa Stolarski
• Congressman Brady– Peter Frank
• Congressman Meehan– Bob Noble
National Cooperative Development Act
“Create jobs and increase economic
development in underserved communities by
promoting cooperative business development”
•Loans and seed capital to groups forming co-ops;
•Grants to centers to provide technical assistance
to co-ops;
•Funding for professional development training
for technical assistance providers; and
•Establish cooperative development centers
•$25 Million maximum yearly appropriation
Local Centers
National Center
Local Cooperative Businesses
HUD will:
• select a National Center to administer the Program
• develop a strategic plan outlining Program guidelines, operating
budget, and work plan
• produce an annual progress report
The National Center will:
• be selected by a competitive process
• disperse funds to eligible Local Centers
• create a Revolving Loan Fund
• incubate development of new Local Centers
• provide training and support to professional cooperative developers
• monitor and evaluate recipients of funds
The Local Centers will:
• be selected by a competitive process – funding agreement up to 3 years
• provide technical assistance to local cooperative businesses in
underserved areas
• provide training and instruction for the purpose of cooperative
development
• will meet performance targets approved by the National Center
Definition of underserved:
1. within a low to moderate income area as defined by US Census; or
2. within a low-income community as defined by IRS; or
3. adjacent to 1 or 2 (limited); or
4. an area given approval by the National Center (limited)
The Urban Circle
• Advocacy for the National Cooperative Development Act
• Sustainable sources of funds for urban co-op development
• Professional development training• We need support to continue moving forward with
our work
Questions?Peter Frank – [email protected]
(215) 680-9195R.L. Condra - [email protected]
(202) 383-5480Lisa Stolarski - [email protected]
(202) 383-5448Amy Johnson - [email protected]
(215) 292-2281Bob Noble – [email protected]
(267) 973-6619Andrew McLeod - [email protected]
www.campaign.coop
