Lessons from the Co-op Model

Monday October 5, 2009

WHAT WE'RE WORKING ON

Stories from the

Co-op Movement

Co-operatives are about people, communities and sustainability, with the goal of serving the needs of its members using a democratic governance structure.

Rodney North, answer man at Equal Exchange, a 100-per-cent employee owned and controlled worker co-operative, says co-operatives are recognizing the important role they have creating value in communities.

If more companies adopted the co-op structure society would experience a dramatic change, he says.

Read more through the stories in this e-news and find out how Equal Exchange is forwarding the movement and fostering new co-op development.

Meanwhile the Canadian Co-operative Association is celebrating its 100th anniversary and has released a new book entitled A Century of Co-operation.

Enjoy!

Focus on co-ops:

Co-ops awakening to its role as the original socially-responsible business
Model is democratic, provides long-term growth and value to society
As people become more aware of the need for businesses to provide value other than shareholder returns, the 140-year-old co-op movement is slowly awakening to its role as the original socially-responsible business, says Rodney North. Full Story

Equal Exchange creating capital for new co-ops
Workers co-operative pioneering unique financing model
Equal Exchange, one of the largest and most successful worker co-operatives in the United States, is pioneering a model to provide capital for new co-ops. Full Story

Business schools offering unique

co-op courses

Saint Mary's and York University provide programs exploring co-op model
Two Canadian business schools are moving forward the co-op model through unique programs that seek to foster understanding of the business sector and promote innovative co-op management strategies. Full Story

New book celebrates history of Canadian co-op movement
100 years of co-operatives testament to sustainability, highlights possibility of the business model
Co-operatives in Canada have survived the Great Depression, world wars, changes in government and demographics, all the while demonstrating a commitment to innovation, entrepreneurship, economic growth and social vision. Full Story