In 1999, Co-operative Development Services Ltd published an 80 page Starter Kit for a Treegrowers Co-operative for Australian Forest Growers, the national association of private forest growers. Australian Forest Growers received funding under the Australian Government's Farm Forestry Program to produce and promote the kit. The kit focuses primarily on the essentials of planning, establishing and operating a treegrowers co-operative in Australia. The kit was launched by the Federal Minister for Forestry and Conservation, Wilson Tuckey, in Queensland in November 1999. Mr Tuckey praised the development and production of the kit, saying it would contribute to more success stories in treegrowers co-operatives. Click here for information about treegrowers co-operatives.

The following is an extract from a letter to Australian Forest Growers from Michael P. Giuliano, Chairman of Equity Tree (1971) Co-operative Limited, on the Starter Kit for a Treegrowers Co-operative.

I have recently read the Starter Kit and I must congratulate the Australian Forest Growers on producing a well-researched and definitive kit, which I understand is unique in Australia.

Although I was not a member of the inaugural board of co-operative, I'm sure that if those directors - right from the start - had access to the advantageous information offered by this kit, their long and arduous job of taking our co-operative from inception to clear fell, would, in my opinion, have been so much easier.

I believe that by studying the kit, the wealth of information it contains will make those persons who are responsible for forming a forestry co-operative, much more knowledgeable. This will enable them to talk intelligently to and listen to and understand the legal and accounting professionals who will guide them.

It is also my considered opinion that the kit rightfully takes its place on the 'must read' list for farmers, budding entrepreneurs and fledging directors who will choose (or already have chosen) a forestry co-operative as their vehicle for commercial aggrandizement in the new millenium.

Michael P. Giuliano 2000.

Table of Contents

1. Treegrowers: The need for collaboration

1.1    The need for collaboration
1.2    Benefits of a treegrowers co-operative
1.3    Functions of a treegrowers co-operative
1.4    Special challenges facing treegrowers co-operatives

2. Co-operatives: What is a co-operative?

2.1    What is a co-operative?
2.2    Legal status of a co-operative
2.3    Comparison between co-operatives & companies

3. Getting started: Planning the co-operative

3.1    Steps to start-up
3.2    Critical issues for success
3.3    Feasibility study
3.4    Business plan
3.5    Forest industry players
3.5.1   Treegrowers
3.5.2   Buyers of forest products
3.5.3   Contractors
3.6    Marketing strategy
3.7    Financing the co-operative
3.8    Communication with stakeholders

4. Starting the co-operative: Steps to registration

4.1    Steps to register a treegrowers co-operative
4.2    Registration requirements
4.3    Trading vs non-trading co-operatives
4.4    Rules
4.5    Primary activity and active membership
4.6    The first board meeting

5.  Running the co-operative: The board of directors

5.1    The board of directors
5.2    Directors
5.3    Duties of directors
5.4    Board cycle of activities
5.5    Board meetings
5.6    Duties of the Secretary
5.7    Membership
5.8    Authorising contracts

6. Running the co-operative: Operations

6.1   Selling timber
6.2   Harvesting and cartage of timber
6.3   Financial management
6.4   Risk management
6.5   People management
6.6   Policies and procedures manual
6.7   Records

7. Resources: Where to get help

7.1    Forest industry contacts
7.2    Co-operative contacts
7.3    Co-operatives legislation
7.4    References

8. Appendices

8.1    Co-operative principles
8.2    Sample business plan outline
8.3    Market research steps