Human Agenda is facilitating this coalition to promote the formation of cooperatives.  Worker cooperatives represent the full embodiment of the key values of Human Agenda: democracy, equality, cooperation, sustainability, and kindness. 
 
At the September 6 meeting of the Cooperatives Coalition at TeamWorks in Sunnyvale, Pastor Chuck Rawlings gave a presentation on the growing inequality problem based upon over two centuries of research in Thomas Pikkety’s book, Capitalism in the Twenty-First Century.  David Smathers-Moore, President of the Board of Directors of the Democracy at Work Institute (DAWI), provided an overview of the cooperative movement nationally (consumer co-ops, producer & marketing co-ops, and worker co-ops), and explained the exciting developments in support of worker cooperatives nationally.  David also stressed the hard work, learning curve, and challenges of forming new cooperatives, taking lessons from the Evergreen co-ops in Cleveland.  Elizabeth Arredondo and Cendy Dionicio provided insights into the local TeamWorks housecleaning cooperative, including what steps are needed to expand the cooperative and how to support it. 
  
After brainstorming the lack of infrastructure to incubate co-ops locally, including the issues of training, financing, conversions, recruitment, and marketing the advantages of cooperatives, it was agreed that at the Oct. 4 meeting we would have the following presentations and dialogue: 
 

Agenda for October 4 Cooperatives Collaborative

 Public Banking.  Expert Susan Harman will provide an introduction to the topic.

1. Lessons Learned from the WAGES Training on Cooperatives.  Dennis King, Karita Hummer, and Richard Hobbs will share key information and insights from the Sept. 29 and 30 2-day workshop in Oakland.
2. The TeamWorks Landscaping Cooperative.  A co-op member will share the joys and challenges of the only landscaping co-op in Silicon Valley. 
3. Pillars for Developing a Strategic Plan for Co-ops in Santa Clara Valley.  The Mondragon Cooperatives emphasize 4 legs of the table that make cooperatives viable and sustainable.  We will discuss these 4 legs and begin to formulate a multi-year strategic plan for the formation of worker cooperatives in the San Jose Bay Area.   

The October 4 meeting will be held at 9 AM at the Stone Presbyterian Church, 1937 Lincoln Avenue, San Jose, CA 95125.  For more information contact Chuck Rawlings at chuckrawlings@gmail.com or Richard Hobbs at richhobbs@msn.com.