Our Member Councils and industry / topic-based Peer Networks are shaping the future of the worker co-op movement in the U.S. Here are the latest highlights from some of our Councils & Networks:
- The Policy & Advocacy Council continues to be a rich environment for sharing challenges and forward movement related to advocacy. The Council is organizing a session and engagement for the Worker Co-op Conference, and will start a series of Council meetings on State Legislation in June with a session on current Opportunity to Own legislation.
- During the last Racial & Economic Justice Council strategy session, a majority of members expressed a desire to create opportunities for political education for the co-op movement. Next steps include coordinating session at the Worker Co-op Conference in September, where panelists will offer examples of how their co-ops successfully incorporate political education for worker-owners while also maintaining their business.
- The Union Co-ops Council is organizing cooperatives to commit to labor neutrality! Talk to your co-workers about how you can support workers’ right to organize by joining the 30 cooperatives who have signed onto the pledge here.
- The Immigrant Co-ops Council (Movimiento de Inmigrantes en Cooperativas in Spanish) members presented during the USFWC Spring Member Meeting how they’ve created restorative virtual spaces to share and release fears and offer mutual cooperative support while attacks on immigrant communities have been heightened.
- The International Council is proud to pilot an International Ambassadors Program that includes representatives to cooperatives and cooperative federations in ten countries! Learn more about the pilot program here
- Cannabis Co-op Peer Network members were set to present at the USFWC Spring Member Meeting on organizing wins like:
- Securing first-of-its-kind business licenses for worker cooperatives in the cannabis industry
- Using USFWC sample bylaws to jumpstart license applications for multiple cooperatives
And more, but… they were called into the Rhode Island State House to meet with their representatives on furthering this work at that very moment!
- Members of our Operations and H.R. Peer Network email list have been recommending co-op-experienced CPAs to one another and discussing co-op tax nuances to consider when choosing a service provider.
Get involved! Check our events calendar to sign up for upcoming Member Council and Peer Network meetings.
