How to start a worker-owned cooperative, or turn your workplace into a co-op
Massachusetts was the fist state to legalize the worker
cooperative model. Learn how to set up cooperative legal and
accounting structures, set up a democratic process for running your
business, and where to find help and support for your co-op. If you
work in an existing business that could become a co-op, find out how
to make this transition and why the boss and the employees can both
benefit from collectivizing the business.
details
- when: sunday, april 17th, 2011, from 3:15 pm - 4:45 pm
- to attend: Please see the info page for more information on attending any of the workshops at the 2011 Boston Skillshare.
- facilitated by: Stephen Prieston, Ben Mauer, Stacey Cordeiro (members of WORC'N
lesson plan
1. What is a worker co-op? It depends on who you ask. Massachusetts
requirements, IRS/taxation requirements, eligibility for USFWC etc.
What other kinds of co-ops are there? producer, consumer, hybrid
2. What is life like in a worker co-op? o every employee is an
entrepreneur, with rights (rewards) and responsibilities (stresses).
o collective decision making models. o allocating profits & losses:
the Internal Capital Accounts system
3. I have a great business idea, how do I make a co-op out of it? o
recruiting your team o market research/feasibility study o getting
help/development financing o business planning o obtaining equity
and debt financing o marketing your cooperative advantage
4. I work at a place where the owner is retiring/might sell the
business/wants to turn it into a co-op. What do we need to do to make
this happen? o existing corporate structure o revising
bylaws/operating agreement o business planning & normalizing the
books o recruiting help (for you, for the boss) o creating shared
ownership - shaking off the boss/employee relationship
facilitator experience
Stephe and Ben are worker-owners of existing
co-ops. Stacey is a consultant to cooperative businesses.
intended audience
anyone who has a business idea or wants to
explore turning their workplace into a cooperative. We are assuming
you don't have a lot of money. Kids are welcome, but might be bored
by talk of legal and democratic structures.