This week, David Bollier writes about how the commons can serve to bridge the gap between our "individual spiritual lives and the social and political institutions that we need to actualize a compassionate vision" in the world.Â
Unfortunately, due to some unforseen circumstances, we only posted one new article last week. To make it up to you, we've got a blast from the past for Pride month - a look inside Cafe Euphoria, a worker co-op owned by a group of trans and gender non-conforming people who practice wage equality and use a sliding price scale.Â
And some good news that we'd like to share: we were informed recently that the nascent Park East housing co-op group received a large donation from a GEO reader, after being featured in one of our articles. We are extremely pleased that our coverage played a role in assisting a fledgling housing co-op, and we'd love to play that role for your co-op as well. If your co-op or solidarity economy project could benefit from a little visibility within "the movement," don't hesitate to reach out. We're here to be a megaphone for co-op practitioners: use us!
From Inner Change to Systemic Change
by David Bollier
“Be the change you want to see in the world!” is the familiar counsel of great social movements. The advice echoes the lyric from the great African-American song, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!” But how, exactly, might our inner epiphanies and transformations catalyze systemic change? We may individually develop new insights and values from wisdom traditions and contemplative practice, but how might they radiate out into something larger, collective, and consequential?
The Café That’s Upending Capitalism
by Mike De Socio
At Cafe Euphoria, the worker-centered economic model was not initially the main goal, but has quickly become a defining feature of the business. The idea for the café emerged from a virtual support group during the pandemic focused on trans and gender-nonconforming folks. While the community was strong at first, it frayed as in-person activities restarted and virtual spaces lost their luster. That’s when Akera posed a question to the group: What if we create a transgender café?
Consulting Firms Should Be Worker Cooperatives
Joel Liechty's blog — In consulting, there’s no assets, inventory, or significant research and development. The value comes from skilled professionals whose knowledge is expensive and generally only needed for a short time...Consulting firms should be worker cooperatives because the limited resource – expert workers – should be allocated the surplus value...
June 21 - World Localization Day
Main Street Journal —The performance review process in sociocracy is a 360-degree process to give feedback to people in their roles. It’s structured and optimized to give high-quality feedback in a safe and relaxed atmosphere. It ends with a peer-based improvement plan that supports personal and professional growth and accountability. This class is an opportunity to practice and try out a performance review, while reflecting on the value of accountability in peer processes...
BWP Co-op’s Members Succeed by Coming Together
Canadian Worker Co-operative Federation — Black Women Professional Co-operative (BWP Co-op) is a multi-stakeholder co-op that aims to empower women professionals and entrepreneurs to operationalize their businesses and scale up products and services to mainstream local channels and international markets. Founded in March 2020 by ten Black women professionals, the Co-op was formally incorporated in 2024...
Worker-Owned Respite Cooperative
Respite Care Association of Wisconsin (YouTube) — Information about Worker-Owned Respite Co-Ops and how to bring one to your community...
An Infrastructure for Dignity: Building a Cooperative Economy in Cincinnati
Inequality.org — Coleman is a worker-owner and the food hub manager at Our Harvest, a worker co-op founded by Co-op Cincy in 2012. Growing healthy food across two urban farms, and sourcing more from community food system projects, Our Harvest connects local growers and producers to customers, creating good jobs along the way.
New on our YouTube Channel
Profit Sharing with Co-op Cincy
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