Building Better Co-ops: STRENGTHENING Ownership, TRANSPARENCY, and Engagement
Celebrate Co-op Month this October by exploring strategies for building better co-ops.
This free three-part webinar series brings together co-op leaders, developers, and members to share strategies, stories, and visions for the future.
2026 co-op month Webinar list
The Cooperative Maine Business Alliance is excited to host our 2026 Co-op Month Webinar Series: Building Better Co-ops this October. This three-part series will explore practical strategies for strengthening ownership, transparency, and engagement across cooperative businesses.
Across three sessions, we’ll hear from co-op practitioners, experts, and leaders about the practices that help cooperatives thrive. We’ll explore cooperative buyouts and employee ownership, building strong cultures of engagement and belonging, and using financial transparency and shared understanding to support better decision-making and democratic participation.
This series is designed for co-op leaders, employees and member-owners, business owners considering succession, and anyone interested in building stronger, more engaged cooperative businesses.
Employee Ownership & Cooperative Buyouts
What does it take to turn a business into a worker cooperative? Join us for a practical conversation about the conversion process, financing, managing change, and what business owners and employees should consider when exploring cooperative ownership as a succession strategy. Real-world stories and expert insights included!
Moderator: Rob Brown (Cooperative Development Institute)
Panelists: Melissa Daniels (Maine Camp Outfitters), Kevin Browne (Kevin Browne Architecture), TBD
Oct 7, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
FREE
People, Culture, & Engagement: HR Strategies for Stronger Co-ops
How do co-ops build a culture where employees and members feel like active, engaged owners? Join us for a practical conversation about onboarding, education, belonging, and the everyday practices that strengthen ownership culture. We’ll hear real-world examples from co-ops and explore what it takes to build a strong sense of ownership and belonging.
Moderator: Heather Burt (FireTree Consulting)
Panelists: Norman Gonsalves (Portland Food Co-op), TBD
Oct 14, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
FREE
Financial Understanding, Transparency, & Ownership Culture
What happens when everyone in a co-op understands the numbers and the “why” behind them? This session will explore how financial transparency, shared metrics, and open-book practices can strengthen ownership culture, support better decision-making, and bring people together around common goals. We’ll also hear lessons from co-ops putting these ideas into practice.
Moderator: Ryan Demers (Cooperative Development Institute)
Panelists: Doug Johnson (Belfast Community Co-op), TBD
Oct 28, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
FREE
