Strengthening the Cooperative Economy: Practical Tips for Current and Prospective Co-ops – Webinar Series

Please join the Cooperative Maine Business Alliance and Bernstein Shur for a joint webinar series to celebrate “Co-op Month” in October.

This webinar series is geared towards business owners, employees, community members, and others considering a co-op structure for their business or community, as well as those who currently operate a co-op.

During this session, panelists will walk the audience through what a co-op structure looks like and why it might be the right (or wrong) entity for their business. The second half of this session will focus on issues relevant to business leaders who may be considering a co-op structure as the next step for growing the business or as part of succession planning, including issues related to business valuation, financing, and co-op governance.

Panelists: 
Rob Brown – Dir. of Business Ownership Solutions, Cooperative Development Institute
Jay Ward – CEO, Ward Lumber
Michelle Walker – CEO, Wheelers Insurance
Adam Prescott – Shareholder, Bernstein Shur, Business Restructuring & Insolvency
Dave Schneider – Shareholder, Bernstein Shur, Business Law

During this session, panelists will walk the audience through what a co-op structure looks like and why it might be the right (or wrong) entity for their start-up business. The second half of this session will focus on issues relevant to start-up co-ops, including issues related to business planning, entity formation, and financing.

Panelists: 
Chris Linder – Loan & Outreach Officer, Cooperative Fund of the NE
Greg Brodsky – Founder + Co-Director, Start.coop
Helen Coburn – Shareholder, Bernstein Shur, Business Law
Adam Prescott – Shareholder, Bernstein Shur, Business Restructuring & Insolvency

This session will walk co-op owners through important strategies that will help them to monitor financial performance, identify financial problems early, and maintain financial health for the co-op in the future.

Panelists: 
Chris Linder – Loan & Outreach Officer, Cooperative Fund of the NE
John Crane – General Manager, Portland Food Co-op
Adam Prescott – Shareholder, Bernstein Shur, Business Restructuring & Insolvency

During this session, speakers will discuss best practices in human resources, as well as recent developments in relevant labor and employment laws and regulations, especially related to the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on Maine law.

Panelists: 
Carolee Colter – Human Resources Consultant for Managers & Boards, Columinate
Tara Walker – Attorney, Bernstein Shur, Labor & Employment