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The Co-op Clinic is the USFWC's technical assistance and training program for worker co-ops. Co-op Clinic provides culturally-affirming services to worker cooperatives and traditional businesses converting to worker-ownership. We do this through our trained staff and a network of Peer Advisors, primarily composed of current or former worker-owners.
Though we can support you in all-around small business areas, we specialize in technical assistance that cooperatives need, specifically: decision-making, co-op finances, boards, bylaws and more.
Learn More
Complete this short Request Support form, which allows you to instantly book a 30 minute intake meeting with staff.
Lots more info in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) (opens in a new window), and don’t forget to check out the Peer Advisor and Staff Bios, and the Packages and Pricing in the sections below, which can serve as a starting place to find what you need.
Our professional and culturally competent Peer Advisors are here to provide you with high-quality technical assistance based on their lived experience working in and developing cooperative businesses.
See the full list of peer advisors here.
Co-op Clinic Staff:
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- Maureen Darras [EN/ES] she/her | Co-op Clinic Training Manager |maureen [at] usworker [dot] coop
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- Matt Feinstein [EN/ES] he/him | Co-op Clinic Technical Assistance Manager | clinic [at] usworker [dot] coop
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- eli tizcareño – [EN/ES] they/them | Director of Education and Training
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- Camila Tapia-Guilliams – [EN] they/them | Training and Education Coordinator | camila [at] usworker [dot] coop
Our technical assistance services are fee-for-service at a sliding scale rate with discounts available for USFWC members. Pro-bono services are offered when funds are available, particularly for eligible rural areas. Please contact clinic@usworker.coop for more information.
If you’re a USFWC Developer Member or Federation Partner, we’re already looking out for clients to refer your way. If you’re not, consider joining USFWC. Either way, we’re happy to discuss how we can collaborate. Some ideas for collaboration:
- Joint application for workforce development or industry focused funds to support affordable / pro-bono TA to low resource communities.
- Cross-promote our educational events (Reach our Comms team direct messaging USWFC on social media or emailing comms@usworker.coop)
- Shared clients bringing in our unique specialties to the project.
- Co-op Developer networking events with new co-op development tool sharing and troubleshooting sessions.
Please reach out here (clinic@usworker.coop) or set up a meeting with staff to discuss potential collaboration.
Here are some specific benefits of working with Co-op Clinic:
- There are many strengths of the peer to peer model, such as finding advisors with the necessary industry experience.
- In larger co-op development efforts such as municipal projects, Peer Advisors could have an early role showing successful co-ops and later role in specialized TA offerings.
- USFWC’s Co-op Clinic has a national reach.
- USFWC staff and Peer Advisors have a high level of cultural competency and experience in anti-oppression work.
Check out the Staff and Peer Advisor bios and the Packages section to see what we offer. We appreciate any referrals you send our way. Please refer people to this page, usworker.coop/clinic or our email clinic@usworker.coop.
Co-op Clinic Mini Guides
Check out these short guides on the fundamentals of worker ownership prepared by the USFWC’s Co-op Clinic. For more topical guides on conflict, accountability, structure, financing, membership fees, funding for technical assistance, boards and more, visit our worker cooperatives mini guides page here.
Latest Webinar Recordings from the Co-op Clinic
Startup Resources
The Co-op Clinic hosts a free monthly Worker Co-op Startup Webinar to help guide the initial process of launching a new Worker Co-op business. Register for our monthly Startup Webinar and other Co-op Clinic webinars at usworker.coop/calendar
For Startup webinar recordings, mini guides and more information, visit our Startup Resources Page.
Thank you to our sponsor National Cooperative Bank who provides banking products and services to cooperatives, their members, and socially responsible organizations nationwide.