Operator guide · Stage 0 → 1
The first five conversations.
The software is done. The gate is human: five caregivers, five families, one unhurried hour each. This is consent-building, not recruitment — you’re looking for people who light up, not people you can convince.
Before you sit down
Who to ask, in order
Caregivers (the constraint): the aides your known families already hire · a CNA you personally trust · the best caregiver an agency underpays. Families: people you already know who carry it — the daughter, the spouse, the neighbor. Ask families first; each one names their caregiver.
The offer, in one breath each
What you’re actually offering
To a caregiver: “You’re doing the work. The agency keeps 60 cents of every dollar. In the co-op you’d earn $26 an hour, own a real share, and get a vote. Same clients. More of the money. And it’s yours.”
To a family: “Same care hour: you pay less, she earns more, and she’s still your caregiver in three years — because owners stay. And we’ll find every dollar you already qualify for.”
To a neighbor (lightest): “Give an hour when you can — a ride, a visit. It banks, at par, for when you need one back. No cost, no paperwork.”
The real skill
What to listen for
- Consent signals: they ask “how would it work?” unprompted · they name someone else who should join · they talk about the community, not just themselves.
- The founding-caregiver tell: anger at the agency split + pride in the work + they’re trusted by families already.
- A no that means not-yet: “sounds great, but…” — leave the door open, ask who else to talk to, and mean it.
- Ask more than you tell. “What’s the hardest part of the work?” “What would have to be true for you to feel safe joining?” Their answers are the co-op’s design brief.
Don’t: pitch the federation, the AI, or the thesis — that’s for investors. Don’t promise wages before the paid lane exists (Phase 0 is hours + circles). Don’t rush a maybe — trust takes the time it takes. One conversation, one hour, no close.
Where each yes lands
The next step is always one link
A neighbor says yes → sign the five promises together: co-op.care/sign · then bank the first hour: co-op.care/hours
A family says yes → the five-minute assessment: co-op.care/assess · funding lanes: co-op.care/tax-free
A caregiver says yes → coffee #2 with one question: “will you help design it?” — founding caregivers are co-builders, then co-op.care/caregivers when the paid lane opens.
Rossmoor → everything lives at co-op.care/rossmoor.
After every conversation: write down three things — what they said the hardest part is, who they named, and the date you promised to follow up. Five conversations done this way is Stage 1.