Electronic Worker-Owner Workbook Now Free! 📘
Good news – we’ve made the e-book version of our Worker-Owner Workbook freely available on our website!
The book is the end product of 5 years of development. It's designed to help teams develop co-op businesses and worker-ownership culture. It also explores the power of union co-ops and deeply integrated co-op networks.
Access the e-book at https://coopcincy.org/resources
If you’d prefer hardcopies, print versions are available for purchase.
The Workbook teaches the nuts and bolts of running a co-op business, from business financials to conflict management to team building.
It also contains essential information about the co-op movement, labor movement, and the Mondragon cooperative network of Spain.
Co-op Network Builds Connections
In April, we had our 1st co-op network meeting of the year!
Many of the members in our network of co-op businesses came. They had great conversations and made powerful connections. Big thanks to everyone who joined!
For more on our co-op network, see https://coopcincy.org/co-ops-overview.
Sustainergy CEO Chats with U.S. Labor Secretary
Sustainergy CEO Flequer Vera (in orange, below) discussed the advantages of the worker co-op model with US Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh (on the far left, below) on May 13 while speaking on a panel for the Good Jobs Initiative.
The panel explored how private sector employers can recruit, retain, and strengthen their workforce through improved job quality.
Panelists included American Sustainable Business Network President David Levine and small business leaders.
Watch the recording on YouTube.
And here’s coverage in CNN.
Other Updates
Refugee Youth Visit Our Harvest
We had a great time visiting Our Harvest urban farm with students from Aiken High School at the start of May – this was their first day learning about farming on site!
We are teaching a 12-week course designed to help refugee youth learn how to apply the co-op business and agricultural models here in Greater Cincinnati. 🌼
Thanks to our partners Our Harvest (our oldest co-op), Refugee Connect, Catholic Charities of Southwest Ohio, and Aiken High School!
Deadline for Power in Numbers Nears
Beginning in September, we’re offering another Power in Numbers, our co-op business boot camp for Black-led teams!
The free, 14-week course helps Black-led teams of entrepreneurs work through the process of launching a co-op business and build wealth for the long term.
As a co-op business incubator, we support participants in the process and offer ongoing technical assistance after they launch their co-op business.
Applications are due by July 8 – apply today! Know someone who might be interested? Share this message!
Co-op Tours Continue
We offered our second co-op tour on May 13. Attendees included
Trina Jackson, Director of the Hamilton County Office of Re-entry
Cincinnati Council Member Greg Landsman
Barbara Bell, Chief of Staff to Greg Landsman
Daniella Mostow, participant in our Cooperative Management Certificate course
The tours are part of our efforts to spread awareness about the co-op business model and how it’s taking off in Cincinnati.
Want to attend one? To learn more and sign up, see this questionnaire. Upcoming co-op tour dates:
Jun 10 from 12-3 pm
Jul 8 from 9 am-12 pm
Gem City Market Celebrates 1 Year!
Gem City Market in Dayton recently celebrated their 1-year anniversary with a block party and sale! Woohoo!
As a co-op, Gem City Market is owned by the community. Learn how to support the market on their website.
Co-op Updates
Massage for the People Celebrates 1 Year!
Massage for the People, which offers high-quality, affordable massage, celebrated their 1-year anniversary!
Their team of trained therapists provides step-by-step, holistic, hands-on assessments.
Queen City Commons Receives Grant and Will Present at Conference
Queen City Commons, which provides composting and food scrap collection services, recently received a grant from Hamilton County Recycling and Solid Waste to purchase a new vehicle. This means more capacity!
Queen City Commons will also be presenting during the Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit as part of the Resilient Composting panel on June 16. Learn more here.
Sustainergy Launches Solar Division 🌞
After spending the past several years improving homeowners' comfort and efficiency, Sustainergy is excited to officially launch their residential solar division!
Go to www.sustainergy.coop/solar-energy or call (513) 244-2700 for a FREE estimate to see if solar is right for you!
Heritage Hill To Celebrate Juneteenth
Heritage Hill is having a Juneteenth celebration next month!
Follow us on social media for updates.
Our Harvest Launches Cultivator Program
Our Harvest's new membership program, Our Harvest Cultivator, allows you to select 1 of 4 levels to access exclusive content and events.
As an Our Harvest Cultivator, you can participate in educational events and support a community creating access to healthy, local food in a way that honors land and labor.
Movement News
Worker co-ops stayed resilient during the Covid-19 pandemic and recession, according to the recent state of worker co-ops report by the U.S. Federation of Worker Co-ops. During 2021, 73% of worker co-ops offered discounts or resources to meet community needs, 60% offered discounts or resources to another cooperative, and 61% worked with local or regional mutual aid networks to meet a community need. Read the report.
People of color and women are behind much of the recent growth in the cooperative economy, according to "What We Learn From Black- and Women-Led Cooperative Practice” in Next City
Upcoming Events
May 21 from 12-3 pm: Cookout with Cardinal Land Conservancy and Our Harvest at Bahr Farm. Come see the farm in its grand beauty, meet the farm team, learn about Cardinal Land Conservancy (which protects the land from development through a trust), and meet other folks interested in care for land and local food.
June 10 from 12-3 pm: Co-op Cincy co-ops tour. To learn more and sign up, see this questionnaire.
June 16: Resilient Composting: A Story of Collaboration in Cincinnati, a panel at the Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit featuring Queen City Commons. Learn more.
June 16: A Food Secure Community: Resilience Through Relationships, Trust and Local Solutions, a panel at the Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit featuring Mona M. Jenkins, our cooperative food justice coordinator. Learn more.
June 17-19: Labor Notes Conference in Chicago. Ellen Vera, our director of development and co-op organizing, will be speaking at the conference. Learn more.
July 8 from 12-3 pm: Co-op Cincy co-ops tour. To learn more and sign up, see this questionnaire.
