Strengthening the Cooperative Ecosystem
Mentorship Program
CooperationWorks (CW) is partnering with the National Cooperative Business Association to deliver a 10-month mentorship program connecting farmers and ranchers from historically underserved groups with experienced cooperative developers. This program will facilitate an exchange of knowledge, skills, and experience while strengthening relationships between Mentees and Mentors, resulting in a stronger national cooperative ecosystem to support cooperative development.
We are seeking applications from Mentees who are enthusiastic cooperators, new to the field, looking to forge strong connections with other cooperators and cooperative developers, and from historically underserved communities. We are also seeking applications for an experienced group of Mentors who work or have worked with historically underserved groups (or are part of one themselves) and are eager to connect with new cooperators.
Please read below for more details on the expectations for Mentors and Mentees. The application deadline has been extended until Friday, May 12th, 2023.
For Mentees
New and emerging cooperators and people working with cooperatives from historically underserved communities are encouraged to apply for this 10-month mentorship program, which will create a network of cooperators across the country, enable mentees to connect with experienced cooperative developers, and support Mentees in gaining a deep understanding of knowledge and skills pertaining to cooperative development.
Accepted applicants are expected to commit to the entire 10-month program. Mentees will:
- Attend bi-monthly hour-long virtual convenings.
- Attend bi-monthly 2-hour virtual workshops presented by Mentors.
- Attend monthly Office Hours hosted by Mentors as needed.
- Attend the National Cooperative Business Association’s Impact Conference in-person on October 4-5, 2023 in Washington DC.
- Complete a research project or case study on a cooperative issue to deepen understanding of a particular topic in cooperative development.
- Complete a program evaluation.
Mentees who successfully complete the program will receive:
- A stipend of $1365.
- Registration for NCBA’s Impact Conference
- A stipend for transit and lodging to attend the Impact Conference
Apply by May 12th to be a Mentee here.
For Mentors
Cooperative Leaders and professionals working with cooperatives from historically underserved communities are encouraged to apply for this 10-month mentorship program, which will create a network of cooperators across the country, enable mentees to connect with experienced cooperative developers, and support mentees in gaining a deep understanding of knowledge and skills pertaining to cooperative development.
Accepted applicants are expected to commit to the entire 10-month program. Mentors will:
- Attend bi-monthly hour-long virtual convenings.
- Create and present a 2-hour virtual workshop on a specific topic in cooperative development.
- Host bi-monthly Office Hours for Mentees to attend as needed.
- Attend the National Cooperative Business Association’s Impact Conference in-person on October 4-5, 2023 in Washington DC.
- Provide feedback on research projects completed by mentees and presented during time in Washington DC over the Impact Conference.
- Complete a program evaluation.
Mentors who successfully complete the program will receive:
- A stipend of $2500
- A stipend of $500 to support attendance to the Impact Conference
This work is supported by the American Rescue Plan Technical Assistance Investment Program 2022-70416-37108 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.