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/.

Job posting: New England tech worker co-op seeks Android developer

We (At-Hand Apps) are/is a one of very few workers co-op based on intellectual property.  Our iPhone/iPad GPS-based travel apps have been well received with New England At-Hand being the top-user rated New England travel app.

We are seeking a additional member with Android Development skills to help expand the business. 

This successful iPhone/iPad app development team is creating it’s next business phase. We have an extraordinary new opportunity and partner. We will be shifting from paid apps to free advertising supported apps which is an enormous growth opportunity. Our new sales and marketing partner manages New England’s most successful ad-based travel web sites and we are their expansion into mobile. Our top-user-rated mobile guides will soon be generating much more revenue from their marketing and sales efforts.

This means we immediately have a new priority. Now it matters that our travel apps be migrated to the Android platform to double the “eye-balls” and ad revenue.

If you  have a track record in JAVA/Android development (or know someone who has the track record) and would like to, on an initially part-time basis, work as part of this integrated co-op team – with equity and a small cash bonus, then please contact us to learn more. 

Robert Gray

At-Hand Apps, LLC - a workers co-op

     

Job posting: Equal Exchange is hiring a full-time sales rep

Another chance to work at a worker co-op! Check it out: http://equalexchange.coop/natural-foods-sales-representative.

Job posting: the Northwest Co-op Development Center is hiring a Cooperative Housing Specialist

REPORTS TO: Manufactured Housing Community Program Manager

POSITION SUMMARY: The Cooperative Housing Specialist will work with senior housing staff to facilitate the development of cooperatively owned manufactured housing, including affordable housing and community development projects, products, and programs, and will provide support to other NWCDC activities as assigned.

STATUS: Salaried, full time, permanent position

If you know of somebody good, get in touch!

Worcester Printing Cooperative Project launches, seeks first worker-member

We're excited to see the launch of the Worcester Printing Cooperative Project, an offshoot of EthiX merchandising. This is a prime example of existing businesses being the seeds for new enterprises. EthiX has a solid client list with a steady flow of work to seed a new apparel decoration business, and they are ready to do it for a cooperative. The equipment and space are lined up as well. All the business needs is YOU, if you answer "yes" to these questions!

• Are you committed to fair labor standards and passionate about social responsibility?
• Have you dreamed of running your own organization – an organization with the mission of changing the world?
• Are you enthusiastic and have experience in the apparel or print industries? 

See http://www.worcestercoop.com/apply-now.html for more information on the position.

Job posting: Portland Food Co-op seeks General Manager

Portland Food Co-op General Manager, Portland Maine

The Portland Food Co-op is seeking a vibrant community-oriented leader to serve as our first General Manager. The Portland Food Co-op plans to open a grocery store in September 2014, owned by members and open to the public, that will offer a wide selection of high quality and fairly priced local, organic, and natural foods and household products. We are dedicated to supporting local farmers and producers, serving our community and building the local economy.

The ideal candidate should have at least five years experience as General Manager or other senior management position at a food co-op. The General Manager (GM) will plan and oversee all co-op operations and be responsible for meeting all business and organizational goals. Candidates should have a solid understanding of business accounting principles, organizational budgeting and business planning, as well as margins, setting sales goals, pricing, product merchandising, and marketing. The GM will be responsible for hiring and supervision of all co-op management and staff and will report directly to the Board of Directors under policy governance. It is imperative that the GM value co-op principles and demonstrate ability to connect with the local community.

PFC is in the process of establishing a retail storefront, and the GM will have a direct role in decision-making for the store. Our goal is to have over 1400 member-owners and annual sales of $1.7 million in our first year of store operations.We are seeking a leader with demonstrated experience leading a team through a period of significant growth.

Portland is a city full of inspiration, where startups become local institutions.  Portland was ranked #1 Most Liveable City by Forbes Magazine in 2009 and is in the top ten for Greenest City, Best Farmers Market, and Foodiest Small Town.  Learn more at liveworkportland.org.

This is a full-time salaried position with health benefits and paid vacation. The target start date is April 1st 2014. To learn more about PFC please go towww.portlandfood.coop. To apply please send resume, cover letter, and three professional references to: info@portlandfood.coop.

Job posting: Equal Exchange seeks Copy Writer and Content Coordinator

Things are hopping at Equal Exchange. Job Announcement!

Equal Exchange is seeking a motivated, creative, well organized person to be our Community Sales Copy Writer and Content Coordinator. Community Sales includes Equal Exchange's programs and product offerings for congregations, schools, community groups, and online sales. Full time, based in West Bridgewater, MA.
To see the job description and submit your application go to: http://equalexchange.coop/community-sales-copy-writer-and-content-coordinator.
Application deadline is January 17th, 2014.

Job posting: Senior Business and Economic Development Consultant at the ICA Group

The ICA Group is looking for a Senior Business and Economic Development Consultant to join its expanding practice in community economic development and employee ownership services. This is a full time position located at the ICA headquarters located in Brookline, Massachusetts.

The senior business consultant is an integral part of our small team, taking a leadership position in developing and managing projects. The work involves undertaking market research, analyzing existing and proposed businesses, evaluating alternative business strategies, and developing financial projections. This is an exciting and unusual opportunity for someone interested in using their business expertise and analytic skills for social good.

More information on the position and instructions on how to apply can be found here: http://ica-group.org/senior_consultant/.

Job posting: Neighbor to Neighbor MA seeks Executive Director

Neighbor to Neighbor Massachusetts, headquartered in Boston, is offering the opportunity to serve as the executive director of this progressive organization of working class, multi-racial and multi-ethnic people working together to build political and economic power and improve the quality of lives in their communities.  The ideal candidate will be a transformational, strategic, experienced leader who can inspire staff, board and members to reach their full potential.

In the mid 1990’s, Neighbor to Neighbor Massachusetts defined its mission to focus on building power in low-income communities through an economic justice agenda.  Through its offices in Boston, Lynn, Worcester, Holyoke and Springfield, Neighbor to Neighbor Massachusetts focuses its efforts in building grassroots power and organizing for economic and environmental justice. 

This is an exciting opportunity for a bilingual, strategic leader with a strong financial and fundraising background to further this organization’s mission while helping to shape its future.  For the complete position profile and application guidelines please visit http://www.tsne.org/jobs/n2nma

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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: GM for co-op store in Western MA

JOB POSTING: October 5, 2013

General Manager (GM) for the Old Creamery Co-op in Cummington, Massachusetts. After a three-year start-up period, we are off and running! We took ownership of the Old Creamery business and building on November 6, 2012 and are now operating as a member-owned community supported cooperative.

We are seeking a GM to ensure that the Old Creamery thrives as a vibrant center of the surrounding communities. A full-service grocery store, deli, and café, the Old Creamery currently has annual sales of nearly $1.7 million, 26 full- and part-time employees, and 640 member-owners. Our business plan projects increase of sales to $2 million by 2016.

Candidates must have senior management experience in a retail food business and strong skills in financial management, marketing, problem solving, communication, and community building. We seek an inspired leader who embraces challenge and who has vision, compassion, and a sense of humor. Our ideal candidate will help create the conditions and culture necessary for long-term success while managing the many and diverse activities of a recent start-up, including: final touches on a near complete building renovation and parking expansion, creation and innovation of operational systems, and ongoing management development of staff.

Immediate opening. Compensation and benefits dependent on experience, competitive with similar-type co-ops. Applications will be reviewed upon receipt and we strongly encourage applications before November 30, 2013. Refer to our website (http://oldcreamery.coop/) for more information about the Old Creamery Co-op vision and values, and to find the detailed General Manager job description. To apply, please send an email to board@oldcreamery.coop  with the following attachments in MS Office Word or PDF format.

1. Cover letter, including your salary history and salary requirements
2. Resume
3. Three employment references with full contact information (name, address, phone, email, title, relationship)

While the Co-op strongly prefers applications via email, if access to the Internet is an issue for any reason, please apply via postal mail to Board President, Old Creamery Co-op, 445 Berkshire Trail, Cummington, MA  01026.

The Old Creamery Co-op values excellence and diversity in hiring and is an equal opportunity employer (EOE).

Job posting: Landscaping co-op now hiring, Boston area

(español abajo)

Hi all - 

A Yard & A Half Landscaping Cooperative, Inc. is a 1-year old, 12-person worker-cooperative buying our 25-year old organic landscaping company (design/build/maintain) from the retiring founder/owner. Most of us are from El Salvador, and we have an average of 10 years working in the company, from the ground up (pun intended).

We are looking to hire a few motivated, hard-working folks who believe in the cooperative principles and want to build a career creating beautiful, healthy outdoor spaces. See hiring brochure below to learn more about the co-op and current openings. 

In solidarity,

Carolyn Edsell-Vetter

____________________

¡Hola!

La Cooperativa de A Yard & A Half Landscaping es una cooperativa de 12 trabajadores. Trabajamos en una compania de jardinería y construcción de paisajes. La duena de la compania se jubilara después de 25 años, y estamos en proceso de comprar la empresa.Somos hispanos por la mayor parte, con un promedio de 10 años trabajando juntos. 

Buscamos miembros motivados y trabajadores que creen en los principales cooperativos, y quieren una profesión donde se puede construir espacios saludables y hermosos. Interesado, llame a Geovani en 781-788-8855. ¡Gracias!

JOBS @ A YARD & A HALF
Green Careers…
Cooperative Opportunities
Come GROW with Us!
A Yard & A Half Landscaping Cooperative, Inc.

26 Thayer Road
Waltham, MA 02453
781-788-8855
http://www.ayardandahalf.com

A Yard & A Half Landscaping  Cooperative, Inc. is a 20-person landscape design, installation &
maintenance company. We are hiring team members for our landscape construction and maintenance crews.
Responsibilities include:

• Safe operation of power equipment, trucks, and trailers.
• Ensuring customer satisfaction with job performed.
• Positive attitude toward work, customers, and crew leader.
• Contributing ideas and opinions to assist with crew and company decision-making.
• Performing work in accordance with high quality and company standards.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Valid MA driver's license and good driving record.
• Ability to work in all weather and lift 50 lbs.
• Spanish-English bilingual a plus.
• A Yard & A Half is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

COMPANY PROFILE
A Yard & A Half Landscaping was founded by Eileen Michaels in 1988. Over the years, she grew the company to over $2 million in annual sales by guaranteeing all of the company’s work and investing in
its employees. In preparation for retirement, Eileen offered the employees the chance to buy the company, and we incorporated as a worker-owned cooperative. The company has historically operated with open books, shared profits with employees, and involved employees in decision-making, so the cooperative model is a natural step for us.

We have received guidance in the transition from members of WORC’N, including Boston
Collective Delivery, Equal Exchange, Community Builders, and Red Sun Press, as well as Namaste Solar. We plan to continue a slow but steady growth pattern, so that current members can grow in our careers and areas of interest, while creating opportunities for right livelihood for others in our community.

COOPERATIVE ADVANTAGES
Every employee has an opportunity to become a co-owner of the company, with one vote per person.
We currently have 11 employee-owners, representing all positions within the company, from laborers
to managers. Average candidacy period is three years, during which employees can begin accumulating owner equity through payroll deductions. Share price is $7,500, which does not appreciate/depreciate.
Co-owners democratically decide how much profit to pay out as dividends. When employees leave the
company, they receive back their original share price, plus any dividends retained by the co-op as
written notices of allocation. All co-owners can participate in board meetings. We review financials with all co-owners and employees at least quarterly.

BENEFITS OVERVIEW
Recognized by Inc. Magazine as a “Winning Workplace”, A Yard & A Half offers comprehensive benefits designed to meet the needs of all our employees:

• Medical & dental insurance
• Simple-IRA retirement plan 
• Life insurance
• Paid vacation
• Paid holidays
• Profit sharing
• Uniforms, boot & rain gear reimbursement
• Tuition reimbursement

For information on open positions or to submit your resume, email:
laurel@ayardandahalf.com

Job Posting: Maine Housing Program Organizer, part-time

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 the state of Maine. 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 part-time (20 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 (Part Time).
Reports to: Executive Director, Housing Program Manager
Base Salary Compensation: $18-20/hour plus benefits (Exempt)
Part-time Position: 20 hours/week
Position Overview:Provides all manner of training and assistance to new and 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. Occasionally assists the Housing Program Manager in organizing manufactured home park residents to form cooperatives to purchase their park.

Housing Program Organizer

Essential Job Functions

1. Assists in resident association board meetings, including preparation, agenda setting, running efficient meetings, follow-up, and review of minutes and financial statements.
2. Provides organizational, administrative and reporting assistance to the Housing Program Manager
3. Provides direct support and organizational training to cooperative board members, committees and residents.
4. In each developing co-op, trains committees and facilitates the production of:

• Bylaws
• Community Rules
• Membership committee policies and procedures
• Policies for general governance of Associations

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, best practices in managing contractors, community building, motivating volunteers, corporate finances and communication.
6. Work with co-ops to maintain meticulous recordkeeping and filing systems and ensure they are up to date on loan compliance responsibilities as well as other legal, financial and regulatory compliance responsibilities.
7. As needed, assists struggling cooperatives to assess their organizational health, identify problems, and develop goals and a plan of action.
8. 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 Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
2. Must be extremely well organized with exceptional recordkeeping skills.
3. Strong knowledge of fiscal management, strategic planning and general business practices.
4. Working understanding of budgeting, real estate and financing.
5. Strong knowledge of and commitment to cooperatives and cooperative development.
6. Well-developed partnership, process development and integration and planning skills.
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 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).

Job Posting: Equal Exchange banana team -- logistics and sales

OKE USA FRUIT COMPANY - Banana Logistics and Sales

Full time regular position (~45-50 hours / week)

Salary: Dependent on experience

Benefits: 100% individual health insurance premium coverage and significant portion of dependent coverage, vacation, holidays and sick days

Location: Equal Exchange Headquarters, West Bridgewater, MA

In 2006, three entrepreneurial organizations came together to create Oke USA. Their goal was to introduce small farmer, fair trade bananas to the US market. Today, Oke USA operates as the banana importing arm of Equal Exchange. We invite you to join us. Together we can create a more just food system and a healthier planet.

Duties and Responsibilities include:

• Logistics (70%): producer relations support, fruit procurement, ocean transportation, quality control, customs, U.S. transport, and coordination of weekly fruit supply to ripeners and distributors;

• Sales (10%): account maintenance, new sales, store visits and events, pricing and financial analysis;

• Marketing and education (10%): grassroots marketing to build store and consumer awareness of brand mission through demos, social media, print, store staff trainings, educational lectures;

• Team (10%): work with the Oke team to manage new sales, supply chain development and creative thinking around building alternative fair trade supply chains

Qualifications:

Required

• Ability to manage complex logistics
• Resiliency
• Problem solver
• Team player
• Ability to work independently
• Time management skills
• Ability to relocate to Boston area
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally
• Ability to work under high stress in a fast paced environment
• Attention to detail alongside the ability to think big picture
• Commitment to making a difference and passion for issues related to sustainable agriculture and food systems!

Preferred

• 2 or more years in produce
• Experience with perishable commodity logistics
• Experience with Latin American producer groups
• Spanish language skills

Email (preferred) or mail a cover letter, resume and brief answers to the three application questions below to: info@okeusa.com

Oke USA, 50 United Drive, West Bridgewater, MA 02379

Questions:

If you were a small scale banana farmer, what would you want out of a relationship with Oke USA?

The top five banana companies (Dole, Chiquita, Noboa, Fyffes, Fresh Del Monte) account for more than 80% of world banana market. Oke USA operates at a minute scale in comparison. What are the some of the challenges associated with this difference in scale and how would you approach those challenges?

Oke USA must compete with other produce companies on the most conventional terms while also carrying out our fair trade mission. What do you bring to a company with this challenge?

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).

RFP: Web & Communications Systems Design

Request for Proposal: Web & Communications Systems Design
Cooperative Development Institute

Overview:
The Cooperative Development Institute (CDI) is the Northeast's Center for Cooperative Business Development. A 501(c)3 founded in 1994, CDI's mission is to build a cooperative economy in New England and New York through direct business assistance, education, and networking. We are looking for a consultant to develop a communication and marketing strategy and set up our web, email, social media, and other systems so that we can easily and effectively communicate with our stakeholders and the public about the work we do, the services we offer, and the cooperative economy in our region.

Scope of Work:

• Design and style guide (including graphics) that matches CDI logo for use on website and emails
• Consultation on which strategies to employ, which host & CMS to use (we want something that is easy to use and maintain)
• Setup of website CMS, social media, print, email systems that market CDI services
• Help with setup and maintenance of article/post indexing, using the tags we have been using for the CDI blog
• Migration of relevant content from existing site, offline documents to the new framework
• Basic training on structure of website – how to enter content so we can keep it up to date
• Set-up and training on tracking analytics
• Availability for ongoing check-ins
• Estimated cost of project: between $5,000 and $8,000

Skills:

• Website design and setup, Vertical Response (the email system that we use), Salesforce (our relationship database)
• Demonstrated experience with web design that has a marketing purpose

Timeline:
Work to be completed within three months of starting contract.

The successful proposal will demonstrate strategic insight about the current web and social media presence of CDI (see www.cdi.coop) and recommendations for change, and will include examples of relevant work. Please send proposals to info@cdi.coop by April 29.

NYC Bookkeeping Co-op startup looking for new members

A Bookkeeping Cooperative (ABC) is looking for two experienced bookkeepers or accountants based in NYC to bring our start-up cooperative to a higher level. We are a worker-owned cooperative that offers day-to-day bookkeeping services to cooperatives, non-profits, social justice endeavors, alternative healthcare practitioners and small community-based businesses. We offer:

- Full charge bookkeeping services
- Quickbooks set-up and troubleshooting
- Liaising with accountants for tax reporting
- Bookkeeping and financial literacy training for our clients
- Other day-to-day operations for our clients (paying bills, filing, etc.)

We are looking for a rockstar bookkeeper or accountant to take on an average of 4-10 hours of work a week and who is interested in democracy at work. This person should be able to meet bi-weekly for cooperative development discussions. We are looking for someone who has 1-3 years experience at a minimum doing bookkeeping or accounting. Any of the below would be bonuses:

- Bi-lingual (Spanish and English)
- A network of referrals for business services, and ability to bring on new clients
- Flexible schedule to cover clients in the NYC area while fellow members are sick or on vacation
- Interested in project management in website development (for us), payroll processing (for our clients and for us), incorporation (for us)
- Commitment to building a new business, cooperatively, and ability to contribute to sweat equity hours after your 6 month trial (300 hours in the first 2 years, about 15 hours a month)

We can offer:

- Bookkeeping work: many flexible part-time jobs (~4-15 hours/week starting from our current and growing client base)
- A knowledge base of best practices in bookkeeping for co-ops and non-profits, radical HR, and tax law, that we want you to help build and contribute to
- A good wage, and an opportunity to co-own the business and share profit
- Community: you don’t have to be a lonely freelancer anymore - we continually become better bookkeepers from communicating and sharing ideas and jobs
- A prize-winning business plan to guarantee our success

We are working towards offering benefits and profit sharing. Any unbilled time you spend on business development would be considered “love” to this endeavor and count toward sweat equity.

The cooperative track is a 6-month trial period with an affordable and/or pay over time buy-in. The co-op has two founding members and a DAWN intern.

Please submit resumes and a letter describing why you would be a perfect match to info@bookkeeping.coop.

Job: ICA Group seeks Exec Dir

The ICA Group (ICA) seeks an Executive Director to lead its growth. Founded in 1978, ICA is a nationally-recognized nonprofit with a history of leadership in worker ownership and social enterprise. ICA acts a source of information and expertise for alternative business structures and for other businesses that empower workers and produce or retain secure, quality jobs.

The Executive Director should be a strategic thinker and leader, who can build the organization together with the board and staff. Below please find the position profile. Please help us by posting this profile at your workplace and passing it on to qualified candidates. 

Resumes will be reviewed as they are received, and will be accepted until the position is filled. Applications should be emailed to icaexecdirector@gmail.com. Thanks for your help in this search. Apologies if you receive this more than once,

Ann Silverman

Consultant to the ICA Group

Executive Director Sought                      

The ICA Group (ICA) seeks an Executive Director to lead its growth. Founded in 1978, ICA is a
nationally-recognized nonprofit with a history of leadership in worker ownership and social enterprise.
We expand economic opportunity and self-determination, by supporting initiatives that encourage
workplace democracy, build community assets, and provide fair wages and benefits. ICA acts a source of information and expertise for alternative business structures and for other businesses that empower
workers and produce or retain secure, quality jobs.  

The Organization and Its Activities 
The ICA Group provides strategic analysis and technical assistance services to a range of businesses,
including cooperatives and social ventures. As a consultant and thought leader, ICA has helped to develop and grow enterprises in a number of industries. We have operated at the intersection of workforce development and such sectors as staffing services, home healthcare, and healthy foods. We work with community development organizations, foundations, trade unions and business owners.
ICA’s business support services include: feasibility analysis and business planning, strategic planning,
and research.
Feasibility Analysis and Business Planning--We assess market opportunities, research operational
requirements and develop financial projections to evaluate the viability of business or program ideas. If
the analysis proves positive, ICA prepares a detailed business plan which serves as both a fundraising tool and guide for operations. In some cases, we assist clients to raise and package financing, recruit
management and perform other tasks necessary for implementation.
Strategic Planning--Utilizing a collaborative approach, ICA applies thoughtful strategic analysis to
groups working towards the goal of economic self-determination. Through market analysis, operational
assessment, social impact studies, and assessments of potential social enterprises, we help organizations
bring their mission to fruition. Recent clients have included The Paraprofessional Health Institute (PHI)
and NCB Capital Impact’s Green House and Village to Village Network initiatives.
Research--ICA builds upon the knowledge it derives from its consulting engagements to produce thought-provoking research in the fields of cooperative development, employee ownership and workforce engagement. In recent years, we have completed a social impact assessment for the National Cooperative Grocers Association and explored growth strategies for the Alternative Staffing Alliance.
We manage the Alternative Staffing Alliance, a national association of social purpose staffing
organizations, which we created and continue to support with key funding from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.
LEAF, our companion loan fund, finances start-up or expansion of cooperatively owned businesses,
primarily in low-income communities. LEAF’s Executive Director reports to the LEAF board, and works collaboratively with the ICA staff.

ICA’s Executive Director supervises a staff of two business consultants and a contract bookkeeper. S/he manages our operating budget, which is currently $500,000. Staff work collaboratively and serve as the members of the corporation. The Executive Director reports to our seven member Board, who bring expertise from a number of fields to the organization.
 
Executive Director
Strategic Challenges and Opportunities 
1.Grow the organization and its program activities—The Executive Director should bring vision and
leadership to the organization. S/he will be expected to review key areas of recent organizational growth, including the Alternative Staffing Alliance, and identify synergies and opportunities, together with staff. S/he will propose and implement a plan for strategic organizational growth.
 
2.Develop the ICA brand—ICA is well known among a small group of mission driven businesses and
philanthropic organizations, however there are many who are not familiar with our work, particularly in
recent years. We seek to increase the number of groups who know and value our work, and seek our
assistance. The Executive Director will lead efforts to better publicize our organization and our activities.

3.Build and diversify our base of support—ICA is currently reliant on a small group of dedicated longterm funders and fee for service contracts. We look to deepen our resource pool, with increased funds from individuals, foundations and corporations, as well as a greater number of fee for service contracts.

4.Capitalize on our staff and board strengths—Our staff and board are talented small groups. We aim
to develop the board’s leadership, enhance our staff’s skills, and add people with complementary skills.

Our Ideal Candidate 
The ideal Executive Director for the ICA Group will possess the following skills and attributes:

• Strategic thinker who is able to both identify new business opportunities and work with clients. 
• Successful resource developer with demonstrated skills and a proven track record generating fee revenue and raising philanthropic funds. 
• Organization builder who brings vision and personal investment to growing the organization. 
• Experienced and entrepreneurial business developer who possesses strong financial analysis skills and an understanding of socially responsible enterprises. 
• Savvy manager with strategic knowledge and ability in budgeting and financial oversight. 
• Articulate spokesperson and communicator who delivers a message well orally and in writing, and comfortably uses social media and technology tools.
• Confident and collaborative team leader with knowledge and experience delegating, trusting and inspiring a skilled and dedicated staff. 

We seek an Executive Director who embraces our mission, and who brings commitment, confidence,
and a sense of humor to their work. Candidates should have a minimum of 5 years of progressive
leadership experience, preferably in the nonprofit sector, as well as experience working collaboratively
with Board and staff members. A Bachelor’s degree is required; a Master’s in a related field is preferred.

Please submit a cover letter, detailing your salary requirements, and a resume to:
ICAExecDirector@gmail.com. Resumes will be reviewed as they are received, and will be accepted until the position is filled. No phone calls or letters please.
The ICA Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We encourage applications from
candidates from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

Job posting: massage therapist, Third Root, Brooklyn NY

Looking for Massage Therapist for Third Root Community Health Center in Brooklyn

Third Root Community Health Center is a worker-owned cooperative of 10 acupuncturists, yoga teachers, massage therapists and herbalists in Flatbush, Brooklyn.  We strive to thrive and achieve social justice and community wellness by providing holistic, collaborative care in an accessible and sustainable manner. Our greatest intention is to watch students and patients walk out of the center with a heightened perspective regarding their own potential for good health.  We offer a sliding scale and scholarships for all of our services. 

Third Root is looking to hire a NYS licensed massage therapist to start the third week in February 2013. This person would work one weekend day and 1-2 weeknights. We are looking for someone with a background in social justice and who is excited to offer massages to people of color, queer and trans people, survivors, immigrant communities, and the lower-income folks that Third Root prioritizes. Applicants will need to show a past commitment to social justice and experience in working with the above communities.  We ask for a 6 month committment & many other benefits to being part of the community of healers at Thirdroot. 

Interested candidates should thoroughly browse our website, www.thirdroot.org, and submit a cover letter and resume to stephen@thirdroot.org. We will be accepting applicants through Feb 1st, and interviews shortly therafter.  Be well! And please forward widely.

Job Posting: ROC-UNITED COLORS EVENTS AND PROJECT COORDINATOR

Hello friends!  I am hiring, please help circulate:    http://www.idealist.org/view/job/J4nX9T7H8b3p/

ROC-UNITED COLORS EVENTS AND PROJECT COORDINATOR JOB OPENING
The Restaurant Opportunities Centers United (ROC-United) is a national restaurant workers’ organization dedicated to winning improved conditions for the nation's restaurant workers. Founded initially after 9/11 by restaurant workers displaced from the World Trade Center, ROC has grown into a national organization with over 9000 members in nine states. Over the last ten years ROC-United has won ten campaigns for restaurant workers against exploitative employers, winning over $5,000,000 in unpaid wages and discrimination payments for restaurant workers, as well as improvement in working conditions; published 15 reports on the industry; won a statewide minimum wage increase in New York; opened two worker-owned restaurants, COLORS of New York and Detroit, and much more. ROC affiliates in New York Chicago, Detroit, New Orleans, Miami, Los Angeles, Washington DC, Houston, and Philadelphia all engage in three areas of work: waging campaigns for justice against low-road employers; promoting responsible employers taking the ‘high road’ to profitability; and conducting research and policy work to lift conditions industry-wide.

ROC seeks a COLORS Events and Project Coordinator.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Under direct supervision of the National High Road Coordinator of ROC-U, the COLORS Events and Project Coordinator will engage in the following:
1) Assist COLORS with building and maintaining relationships with local organizations, unions, firms, and other entities as one sees fit to establish COLORS in NY’s catering and events market,
2) Increase sales and revenue at COLORS within 3 month,
3) Lead COLORS to a balanced budget within 6 months,
4) Assist the National High Road Coordinator with developing, implementing, and evaluating a new concept for COLORS NY,
5) Provide technical assistance to local ROC affiliates on the design and implementation of new worker cooperative structures, particularly in New Orleans, LA, and DC,
6) Assist COLORS NY and COLORS Detroit in implementing their marketing concept and maximizing overall business activities,
7) Other responsibilities as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS:
- Restaurant management experience
- Familiarity with worker cooperative model structure, experience with worker cooperatives a major plus
- Events coordination experience
- Significant network of relationships nationwide within worker cooperative organizations
- Strong financial management skills
- Significant network of relationships with NY organizations, unions, wedding planners, and others who would use COLORS for events and catering

- Knowledge of menu development for parties and menu pricing
- Strong Guest Service & Front of the House Skills a plus
- Knowledge of workforce development and/or relevant adult teaching experience a plus
- Understanding of community/labor organizing
- Demonstrated commitment to racial, social, and economic justice

COMPENSATION Negotiable based on experience, plus benefits. Immigrants, women, and people of color encouraged to apply. Send cover letter and resume to cathy@rocunited.org