Leadership Foundations – A Participatory Management Intensive for Co-ops

Welcome to our in-person event where you can enhance your cooperative leadership skills! Join us for a dynamic and interactive intensive focused on participatory management. Learn how to effectively lead your cooperative through hands-on activities and discussions with like-minded individuals. This event is perfect for Managers, Shift Supervisors, Department Heads, Board Members, Committee Chairs, and other Cooperative Leaders. Take advantage of this opportunity to grow and network with others in the cooperative community!

-- Interpretation is available upon request --

Heather Foran is a Cooperative Development Specialist in CDI’s Business Ownership Solutions (BOS) program. Heather comes from an experiential education background with both youth and adults. She co-founded the Field Academy, a traveling high school program and prior to coming to CDI, Heather worked with Coverdale O.D., a U.K.-based organization providing experiential training programs for leaders that build skills in shared leadership and systems transformation. Heather is also part of a global collaborative of facilitators with YES!, an organization that works at the intersection of personal, interpersonal, and systemic change.

Ryan Demers is a Cooperative Business Developer with the Cooperative Development Institute (CDI), starting in early 2023. Prior to CDI, Ryan was the GM of a food co-op in northern New York State, where he developed and honed skills in financial education and literacy, conflict management, systems, and staff development. At CDI, Ryan enjoys sharing what he has learned (and mistakes he's made!) with current and potential worker-owners so that they can realize their full potential as business owners.

Vanessa Gonzalez is a Cooperative Development Specialist in CDI’s Business Ownership Solutions (BOS) program. In this role, Vanessa supports worker cooperatives by facilitating strategic planning, and providing coaching on governance and management, leadership development, conflict resolution, and building a collaborative and respectful workplace culture. With a strong background in facilitation, community education, conflict resolution, and training, Vanessa has worked extensively with diverse communities, including teen parents, the LGBTQ+ community, individuals living with HIV, and survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence.

Prior to joining BOS, Vanessa worked with CDI’s New England Resident Owned Communities (NEROC) program, providing training and technical assistance in board governance, financial management and property management for manufactured housing cooperatives. Their commitment to economic justice, public health, and patient advocacy drives their passion for fostering sustainable, democratic workplaces and communities. Vanessa is dedicated to helping worker-owners gain the skills they need to build successful, cooperatively owned businesses.

Info: 1 - Opening and Introductions. 2 - Leadership Style and Impact

Info: 1 - Establishing a Common Language and Method Part I - Aiming. 2 - Establishing a Common Language and Method Part II - Planning. 3 - Reflection

Info: 1 - Listening to Understand, Observation and Feedback. 2 - Delegation and Decision Styles

Info: 1 - Delegation and Decision Styles (cont.) 2 - Feedback and Personal Action Planning. 3 - Reflection and Closing

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