Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Rural on Purpose?
We’re a social enterprise working with entire communities to pilot new programs and test concepts that support entrepreneurship in rural regions. We understand rural communities need NEW opportunities - not the same old improvement offers. We’re a group of trailblazers and trendsetters intent on delivering these opportunities, without deferring to urban “experts”. ROP knows rural communities need to reach higher and stretch further, and we’re the yogis who will show you how.
2. What is coworking?
Coworking is like having a gym membership, but it’s a space for working, not “working out”. You pay to use the facility and services and you have options like hot desks, which are working areas shared by different people (like treadmills at a gym...but with much less sweat involved). Internet, coffee, and meeting rooms are common elements of coworking. Many coworking facilities offer service options like legal, accounting, and marketing support, as well as a calendar of events and workshops.
3. What is a pilot?
A pilot project is a small-scale test of an idea, designed to limit the impact of failure, validate the benefits, and generate support for a larger solution.
4. Why should my community do a coworking pilot?
In less than a decade the majority of our workforce will be freelance. Freelancers are self-employed people working for different companies on projects or contracts. Currently, 50% of millennials are freelancing. Coworking is one of the BIGGEST trends supporting this group, and is mainly in urban centres. Rural communities are not urban centres, and statistics show the majority of standalone rural coworking centres are NOT profitable.
A pilot program mitigates the risk and impact of failure. It allows rural communities to test coworking on a small-scale. With little added risk, an existing business could make additional income by including a small coworking option. Studies show that cost savings, convenience, and collaboration are the greatest benefits of working in cities. NOT so in rural coworking spaces. Rural freelancers and home-based workers want and NEED connection and community. Isolation is a real problem for rural entrepreneurs. The global coworking survey shows that rural entrepreneurs are calling out for coworking options, wanting them just as much as urban entrepreneurs. Your community can answer this call. We just have to approach it differently - in a Rural on Purpose way.
5. As a coworker, do I have to pay to attend Coworking Takeover Week?
Daily costs are assigned by each vendor. Some locations may be free to work at, while others may charge. Check out the list of participating vendors to see whether or not there is a cost to work at each location.
6. As a vendor, do I have to pay to attend Coworking Takeover Week?
Nope. Vendor registration is 100% free!
7. I have a small space and can’t fit that many remote workers - how can I limit this?
No problem. When you’re registering as a vendor online, just make note of this in the additional comments section. You can also request remote workers to pre-book space at your event in any way you wish (ex. By email, in-person, filling out an online form, etc.).
8. I don’t have anywhere for remote workers to sit, but I still want to participate as a vendor - how can I?
Coworking Takeover Week is about SO MUCH MORE than giving remote workers a place to sit. It’s about building an ecosystem of support within the community, and ANYONE can participate in this.
To get you thinking, here’s a list of how vendors could offer services beyond a physical work space:
- Daycares - offer a discounted service for remote workers that week
- Restaurants - offer a “remote worker” special that week
- Grocery Stores - offer a “Shop & Drop” program - remote workers leave their grocery lists and employees gather the items and deliver them to the coworking venue
- Laundromats - offer special “wash and fold” services for remote workers that week
- Shuttle / Bus Companies - offer discounted shuttle services around the town or to / from a larger city centre
- Banks - offer information sheets / booklets on running a home-based business
- Electronic stores - offer information sheets / presentations on lighting for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and blue light exposure (from electronics)
This list is NOT exclusive. So if your business is not on it, do not despair. Please get creative and join us - we can’t wait to see what you come up with!
9. What's the passport all about?
This passport is for remote workers - you can carry it around to all the vendors you visit throughout the week and get it stamped at each location. Then you can complete a super short survey, turn it in, and it serves as your ballot in a draw to win a prize. You’ll also vote for your favourite vendor on it - and the vendor with the most votes will win another prize.
10. How does Coworking Takeover Week (CTW) work?
- Be Informed: Check out the businesses registered for CTW on the Participating Vendors page
- Plan ahead: Book time in venues you’re interested in working at - or walk-in throughout the week to businesses that don’t require pre-booking
- Get Your Swag: When you go to a business to cowork, pick up your Map and Passport (These are also available at CTW HQ)
- Work, Work, Work: From Date Range, cowork to your heart’s content!
- Get Stamped: Get your passport stamped (or otherwise marked) at each venue you visit
- Vote: On the back of your passport, vote for the vendor you believed to be the “best participating business”
- Help a Vendor Win: The vendor votes will be tallied, and the vendor with the most votes will win the vendor prize!
- Hand in Your Passport: Submit your passport to CTW HQ
- WIN: Once submitted, your passport is your ballot in the draw for the remote worker prize!
- Stay Tuned: CTW is wrapped - stay tuned for a Final Report
11. How do I join SLACK?
12. I'm a vendor. How do I submit a blog post?
Blog posts are accepted by participating vendors only.
You can email us your blog post (preferably including pictures) to: [cowork email address].
