Cooperative Pedalers Wanted in Providence

The Sol Chariots Pedicab worker co-op in Providence, RI is hiring. Sounds like a fun way to stay in shape, learn some skills, see the city, and earn money. See http://solchariotspedicab.wordpress.com/2014/02/24/sol-chariots-pedicab-co-op-is-hiring/.

March 8: AORTA Conflict Resolution Workshop in Providence, RI

save the date! March 8: AORTA Conflict Resolution Workshop in Providence Dear Providence & Boston-Area friends, We're excited to offer a public workshop facilitated by AORTA trainer Jenna Peters-Golden on March 8 in Providence! Here are the details:   Resolutions not Ruins: Conflict Resolution in Your Organization and Collective As in all communities, conflict in organizations is unavoidable. It is also uncomfortable. In working through conflict, the question shouldn’t be, “How do we prevent conflict?” but rather “How do we address conflict in ways that are healthy and build a stronger organization?” This workshop will map out how systemic power is one of the main roots in conflict, while we build skills to recognize and address how systemic oppression moves through conflict. In the process we’ll share AORTA’s conflict resolution practices and methods in order to get a jump start in developing tools and processes tailored to your own organization and lives whether you are mediating conflict or a participant in it.    Date | Time March 8, 2014 | 1 pm - 4 pm Location 186 Carpenter St., Providence RI Cost Sliding scale $10-$30; no one turned away for lack of funds. Accessibility The space has two small concrete steps leading up to it, but wide doors -- we will be able to do some wheelchair lifts into the space [you can see a picture of the steps here]. The space has an ADA bathroom. In order to create a space where folks with chemical sensitivities can participate, please refrain from wearing perfumes, colognes or other scented products (including essential oils) and smoke far away from the entrance to the space. Visit this site for info on how to support folks with multiple chemical sensitivities. RSVP Join the event on facebook, or just show up! About AORTA AORTA is a collective of educators devoted to strengthening movements for social justice and a solidarity economy. We work as consultants and facilitators to expand the capacity of cooperative, collective, and community based projects through education, training and planning. We base our work on an intersectional approach to liberation because we believe that true change requires uprooting all systems of oppression. Feel free to pass this email along to others. Contact jenna@aortacollective.org for more information. AORTA

Job posting: R.I. Food Co-op seeks General Manager

Job Announcement for Alternative Food Co-op General Manager position

The Alternative Food Cooperative of Wakefield, RI, is looking for a full-time General Manager and invites applications from the greater food co-op and sustainable living business community. Please see the job description below.

The Co-op, in business for 43 years, is located in downtown Wakefield, a village in the town of South Kingstown on the rural-suburban southern shore of Rhode Island. The University of Rhode Island is four miles from the Co-op. The area has a vibrant and growing local food movement, with several farmers’ markets and Community-Supported Agriculture enterprises that include local fish and shellfish, vegetables, fruits, and meats.

It is a relatively small Co-op at 2200 sq. ft. with about 200 active members, and 14 staff members. Earlier this year, we formed a Strategic Planning Committee of Board members, staff, and members considering a move or expansion to let us better serve our membership. The new General Manager will be an integral member of this team and vision.

We are looking for a General Manager who has the ambition, experience, and energy to take the Co-op to the next level.

Salary will be commensurate with experience. Moving expenses not covered.

This is a wonderful opportunity for an energetic person dedicated to the co-op movement and local and organic food to “make a difference” by growing the Alternative Food Co-op to an organization that takes full advantage of the demographics of south coastal Rhode Island and the growing local food movement. We look forward to meeting our new General Manager!

Please submit a resume and a cover letter for consideration. Include the name, address, email, and telephone number of three references who can attest to your experience and abilities. Resumes will be accepted until the position is filled.

Email to: john@jwsfoodcrafters.com

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General Manager Position Description

General Responsibilities: To manage the Co-op Operations, to meet the goals and objectives of the membership and the Board of Directors, and to uphold the Co-op’s principles as defined in the Mission Statement

Supervision Received: Reports to and serves at the discretion of the Board of Directors

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated leadership, team building, delegation and motivation skills
• Successful experience managing a retail food store, preferably in a natural foods, cooperative model including supervision, business planning, development and administration
• Experience preparing and implementing annual budgets
• A comprehensive understanding of current trends in natural foods industry, and commitment to local, sustainable foods and the cooperative model
• Experience in all phases of retail store operations
• Strong communication skills (both verbal and written)
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple demands, prioritize, and delegate appropriately
• Demonstrated high integrity and commitment to ethical business practices
• Demonstrated computer proficiency

Responsibilities:

Operations

• Efficiently and effectively organize the Co-op’s operations to ensure profitability
• Identify and address operational problems in a timely fashion
• Plan for the Co-op’s ongoing operational needs, including technology, facilities, and equipment
• Compliance with all applicable laws: licenses, permits, health regulations, workers compensation, & employment requirements

Membership

• Administration of benefits and requirements
• Assessment of member and patron needs and desires to increase membership and participation
• Prioritization of goals and projects
• Timely and accurate reporting including presentations to membership at Annual Meeting

Planning and Development - Assist the board with:

• Development of long term vision (strategic plan)
• Preparation of a business plan
• Store development goals and priorities
• Assessment of capital needs and development of sources

Financial

• Annual operating, capital, and cash budgets
• Timely and accurate reporting to board and membership
• Goals and key indicators for operations: margin, sales, profits, turns, membership

Marketing and Merchandising

• Set purchasing and pricing guidelines

• Promotions and display

• Newsletter, advertising, and other communications
• Oversee keeping website active and up to date

• Participation in community events

Personnel

• Wages and benefits
• Grievance procedures

• Participation and decision making
• Hiring, orientation, training, scheduling, evaluation, promotion, discipline, dismissal

Board Relationship

• Work with the Board to establish and implement goals and policies
• Interpret financial statements and effectively convey them to the Board
• Informational and leadership support

Other

• Perform other tasks as assigned by the Board of Directors

Job posting: Housing Program Organizer (Eastern and Central MA, Eastern CT, RI)

Cooperative Development Institute (www.cdi.coop) is seeking a new hire to join its New England Resident Owned Communities (NEROC) Program. The main work of the program is to assist the residents in the nearly 1200 manufactured home parks in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont and Maine to purchase their communities and manage them as resident-owned cooperatives. The program is part of the highly successful ROC USA Network (www.rocusa.org).

This position will focus primarily on providing technical assistance to manufactured housing communities throughout Southeastern New England (Eastern and Central Massachusetts, Eastern Connecticut, and Rhode Island). The successful candidate will be enthusiastic, a good communicator, a self-starter, ready to learn, able to travel and work on some evenings and weekends. The housing program work is full-time (40 hrs/week). A new hire may also have the option of supplementing this work by taking on fee-for-service cooperative development projects that the Cooperative Development Institute is working on outside of the NEROC program.

See job description below. Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume with references to info@cdi.coop. This position will remain open until filled.

Job Title: Housing Program Organizer (Full Time).
Reports to: Executive Director, Housing Program Manager
Base Salary Compensation: $35-45,000 plus benefits (Exempt)
Full-time Position: 40 hours/week
Position Overview: Aids the Housing Program Manager in organizing manufactured home park residents to form cooperatives to purchase and manage their communities; provides training and assistance to existing resident-owned manufactured home communities, both individually and in groups; helps members understand their roles and responsibilities in order to more effectively manage their resident owned community; fosters a sense of empowerment and community spirit.

Housing Program Organizer

Essential Job Functions

1. Assists Housing Program Manager with community organizing and technical assistance to resident owned manufactured housing communities; includes door-to-door canvassing, community meetings and presentations, mailings, and incorporation assistance.
2. Assists in resident association board meetings, including preparation, agenda setting, running efficient meetings, follow-up, and review of minutes and financial statements.
3. Provides organizational and administrative assistance to the Housing Program Manager to ensure that the various elements of the Housing Program are running smoothly; includes meeting facilitation, fundraising assistance, and fulfilling reporting requirements.
4. Provides direct support and organizational training to cooperative board members, committees and residents. 5. In each developing co-op,

o trains committee and facilitates the production of Bylaws.
o trains committee and facilitates the production of Community Rules.
o trains committee and facilitates the approval of membership committee policies and procedures, as well as policies for general governance of Associations.

6. Contributes to the development and implementation of workshops for board and community members on range of topics including: board and members’ roles and responsibilities, working in teams, infrastructure and planning for the future, community building, motivating volunteers, corporate finances and communication.
7. Assists both established and developing resident-owned communities with all aspects of their financial and loan compliance responsibilities.
8. As needed, assists struggling cooperatives to assess their organizational health, identify problems, and develop goals and a plan of action.
9. Other tasks and special projects, as assigned by the Program Manager.

Organizational Expectations:

1. Responsible for conducting all activities within the prescribed policy and budgetary guidelines as set by the Board and administered by the Executive Director.
2. Functions as a participant in CDI's Cooperative Development Team, sharing information effectively to assist others in doing CDI's work. Builds positive and strong relationships with other CDI staff.
3. Demonstrates personal responsibility in job performance.
4. Responsible for role modeling professional standard of behavior. Takes this role within the organization, is consistently respectful and professional with staff and clients.
5. May be required to perform additional, related duties or functions of lesser or greater responsibility as negotiated to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Minimum Requirements

1. 3 to 5 years of cooperative business experience, including project management experience in for-profit, non-profit community or economic development organizations.
2. Experience with group facilitation, coaching a group through an autonomous decision-making process, and coping with conflict situations.

Knowledge Skills/Abilities

1. Advanced degree in related field welcomed, minimum of Bachelors degree or equivalent.
2. Strong knowledge of fiscal management, strategic planning and general business practices.
3. Working understanding of budgeting, real estate and financing.
4. Strong knowledge of and commitment to cooperatives and cooperative development.
5. Well-developed partnership, process development and integration and planning skills.
6. Familiarity with public policy process and development.
7. Excellent communication skills, including public speaking, consensus-building and facilitation skills.
8. Proactive and team-oriented leadership required.
9. Ability to think critically and solve problems creatively with small and large groups.
10. Demonstrated experience working effectively on a team.
11. Demonstrated success in community building and organizing.
12. Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills.
13. Demonstrated experience in working remotely/independently.
14. Computer literacy required.
15. Ability to work with diverse groups of residents as well as town and state officials, attorneys, engineers, and other professionals.
16. Available evenings and occasional weekends.
17. Ability to travel.
18. Experience with cooperative governance structures and working with boards of directors preferred.
19. Experience with meeting process, property management, or contractor negotiations a bonus.

Characteristics

1. Well spoken and articulate.
2. Calm demeanor; able to perform under pressure during difficult interpersonal conflict.
3. Plans ahead, able to complete tasks and meet tight deadlines.
4. Able to understand and manage multiple complex tasks.
5. Works collaboratively, self-motivated, flexible, enthusiastic.

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 write 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).

2 Job Openings at CDI: Housing Program Organizers

The Cooperative Development Institute is hiring for two part-time positions: housing program organizers in Maine and in Southeast New England. See job description below.

Cooperative Development Institute (www.cdi.coop) is seeking a new hire to join its New England Resident Owned Communities (NEROC) Program (www.cdi.coop/manufacturedhousing.html). The main work of the program is to assist the residents in the nearly 1200 manufactured home parks in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont and Maine to purchase their communities and manage them as resident-owned cooperatives. The program is part of the highly successful ROC USA Network (www.rocusa.org).

These two positions will focus primarily on providing technical assistance to manufactured housing communities throughout Maine and Southeast New England. The successful candidate will be enthusiastic, a good communicator, a self-starter, ready to learn, able to travel and work on some evenings and weekends. The housing program work is currently part-time (20 hrs/week), but is hoped to become full time within a year. A new hire may also have the option of supplementing this part-time work by taking on fee-for-service cooperative development projects that the Cooperative Development Institute is working on outside of the NEROC program.

See job description below. Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume with references to info@cdi.coop. This position will remain open until filled.

Job Title: Housing Program Organizer (Part Time).

Reports to: Executive Director, Housing Program Manager

Base Salary Compensation: $18-22/hour in Maine, $20-25/hour in Mass., plus benefits (some paid time off and some reimbursement of health insurance) (Salaried/Exempt)

Part-time Position: 20 hours/week

Approximate Start Date: May 2012

Position Overview: Aids the Housing Program Manager in organizing manufactured home park residents to form cooperatives to purchase and manage their communities; provides training and assistance to existing resident-owned manufactured home communities, both individually and in groups; helps members understand their roles and responsibilities in order to more effectively manage their resident owned community; fosters a sense of empowerment and community spirit.

Essential Job Functions:

1. Assists Housing Program Manager with community organizing; includes door-to-door canvassing, community meetings and presentations, mailings, and incorporation assistance.
2. Provides organizational and administrative assistance to the Housing Program Manager to ensure that the various elements of the Housing Program are running smoothly; includes meeting facilitation, fundraising assistance, and fulfilling reporting requirements.
3. Provides direct support and organizational training to cooperative board members, committees and residents.
4. In each developing co-op,
• trains committee and facilitates the production of Bylaws.
• trains committee and facilitates the production of Community Rules.
• trains committee and facilitates the approval of membership committee policies and procedures.
5. Contributes to the development and implementation of workshops for board and community members on range of topics including: board and members’ roles and responsibilities, working in teams, infrastructure and planning for the future, community building, motivating volunteers, corporate finances and communication.
6. Coordinates support for and monitors progress of resident-owned communities, as assigned by the Program Manager, including monthly review of cooperative minutes and budget reports.
7. Assists both established and developing resident-owned communities with all aspects of their financial and loan compliance responsibilities.
8. As needed, assists struggling cooperatives to assess their organizational health, identify problems, and develop goals and a plan of action.
9. Other tasks and special projects, as assigned by the Program Manager.

Organizational Expectations:

1. Responsible for conducting all activities within the prescribed policy and budgetary guidelines as set by the Board and administered by the Executive Director.
2. Functions as a participant in CDI’s Cooperative Development Team, sharing information effectively to assist others in doing CDI’s work. Builds positive and strong relationships with other CDI staff.
3. Demonstrates personal responsibility in job performance.
4. Responsible for role modeling professional standard of behavior. Takes this role within the organization, is consistently respectful and professional with staff and clients.
5. May be required to perform additional, related duties or functions of lesser or greater responsibility as negotiated to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Minimum Requirements

1. 3 to 5 years of cooperative business experience, including project management experience in for-profit, non-profit community or economic development organizations.
2. Experience with group facilitation, coaching a group through an autonomous decision-making process, and coping with conflict situations.

Knowledge Skills/Abilities

1. Advanced degree in related field welcomed, minimum of Bachelors degree or equivalent.
2. Strong knowledge of fiscal management, strategic planning and general business practices.
3. Strong knowledge of and commitment to cooperatives and cooperative development.
4. Well-developed partnership, process development and integration and planning skills.
5. Experience with cooperative governance structures and working with boards of directors preferred.
6. Familiarity with public policy process and development.
7. Excellent communication skills, including public speaking, consensus-building and facilitation skills.
8. Proactive and team-oriented leadership required.
9. Ability to think critically and solve problems creatively with small and large groups.
10. Demonstrated experience working effectively on a team.
11. Demonstrated success in community building and organizing.
12. Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills.
13. Computer literacy required.
14. Ability to work with diverse groups of residents as well as town and state officials, attorneys, engineers, and other professionals.
15. Working understanding of budgeting, real estate and financing.
16. Available evenings and occasional weekends.
17. Ability to travel.

Characteristics

1. Well spoken and articulate.
2. Calm demeanor; able to perform under pressure during difficult interpersonal conflict.
3. Plans ahead, able to complete tasks and meet tight deadlines.
4. Able to understand and manage multiple complex tasks.
5. Works collaboratively, self-motivated, flexible, enthusiastic.

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 write 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).