I removed and banned the author and removed the message. Sorry for any
inconvenience.

William

--- In workerownedcoop@yahoogroups.com, "james" <news@...> wrote:
>
> I'd be more than happy to tell you where you can stick your ads and
information.
>
>
> >  -------Original Message-------
> >  Please let me know how this forum works and where I would be
better off
> >  posting my ads/information etc.
> >
> >  Thanks so much!
> >
> >
> >  Lydia Choate
> >  AmeriplanUSA
> >  [LINK: http://www.freedomathometeam.com/lchoate]
> >  www.freedomathometeam.com/lchoate
> >  508-875-1257
>

I'd be more than happy to tell you where you can stick your ads and information.


>  -------Original Message-------
>  Please let me know how this forum works and where I would be better off
>  posting my ads/information etc.
>
>  Thanks so much!
>
>
>  Lydia Choate
>  AmeriplanUSA
>  [LINK: http://www.freedomathometeam.com/lchoate]
>  www.freedomathometeam.com/lchoate
>  508-875-1257

Looking for Professional Cooks/Chefs who are interested in starting a worker-owned cooperative.  You must have at least 5 years cooking experience.  If you are interested in starting a business, but don't want to rough it alone, a co-op is a great way for people to share the labor and responsibilities.  The type of business will be along the lines of a Café/Eatery, not too large or formal.  We need to gather a core group of people to create a viable business plan; this should take about a year and a half or longer.  Thus, only dedicated and serious-minded people will be considered.

Key principles in a co-op:

-community: a desire to work well with others and to be a part of the larger cooperative community

-workplace democracy: each person represents a vote

-Worker-members share in profits or losses of business: each employee contributes an equal amount of money to the co-op to become an owner

-training and development: there will always be an emphasis on learning, growth and business sustainability

If you are a seasoned cook/chef and are tired of the restaurant world, why not work hard for yourself instead of someone else?  This is a long-term plan, which will require a lot of research and meetings.  If you are interested please send along a resume and a brief explanation as to why you would want to be part of a cooperative and what you can bring to the table.  Thanks.

CONTACT: leeeunah74@...

So nobody ever responded? You should try the nobawc list serv----
http://lists.nobawc.org/lists
people will respond like crazy.

I work in a tech-coop in san francisco. I also sit on the board of NOBAWC
If you need help, feel free to write me at
yochai@techcollective
or
415 571 9469.

Thanks....


Laura O'Mara wrote:
>
> We are considering starting a collective/cooperative group selling local
> goods.  This would not be a member-based group, but a collective model
> such as the CheeseBoard.
>
> Any thoughts?  Especially in this economy?
>
> LJO
>
>
>

--
View this message in context:
http://www.nabble.com/cooperative-collectives-tp20573204p20986829.html
Sent from the Worker Cooperative mailing list archive at Nabble.com.

Hello,

I am glad to introduce to you my last article on the subject of demutualization of cooperatives.

It can be downloaded here:

29.  Demutualization of Cooperatives: the Case Study of Tnuva. (2008)

TnuvaDemutENG25.8.08.pdf

http://www.coopgalor.com/i_publications.html

Abstract

The demutualization of Tnuva is a research to a very interesting process showing how a successful cooperative is ending its existence and demutualized itself. The Tnuva demutualization is at the same time a process showing how a cooperative is disconnected from its members.

The research is trying to find out the reasons for this process. It is trying as well to find out if the demutualization way was the only way for the cooperative in Tnuva.

The research describes processes and conflicts between the existing leadership of the cooperative and various groups of members, of cooperative movements, of governmental bodies, all are involved in the process.

The case study of the demutualization of Tnuva is a lesson to learn.

What's the difference between these two?

>  -------Original Message-------
>  From: Laura O'Mara <lauraomara@...>
>  Subject: [workerownedcoop] cooperative/collectives
>  Sent: 19 Nov '08 03:43
>
>  We are considering starting a collective/cooperative group selling local
>  goods.  This would not be a member-based group, but a collective model such
>  as the CheeseBoard.

The first link below takes you to a long list of prophecies that were
issued in the mid-1990's, that have all come to pass exactly as
predicted. It also provides you with a link to Yahoo's Official
Archives which prove they were issued in writing, in the 1990's.

As you will see: Every detail, to include our wars with Iraq, the
actors involved, and how it will end, was prophesied in writing, in
the 1990's. Every aspect of which is now showing up in our evening
news. It even has a link to his prophecy concerning America's Vanity.

The following link will take you to the prophesied food shortage,
which at the top provides you with a list of 23 other such prophesied
events that have come to pass.

     http://www.theamericannightmare.org/n-iKKK1019_F-S.html

The second link takes you to a page that contains all the prophecies
that were issued at the same time as the above, which have NOT YET
come to pass, and are also in Yahoo's Official Archives, which prove
they too were issued in writing, in the 1990's. As an American you had
better hope these prophecies DO NOT come to pass.

The following link takes you to his prophecy that 10,000 Americans
will be killed by a terrorist attack, but as well provides you with an
index of 14 other prophecies that have not yet come to pass.

     http://www.theamericannightmare.org/n-iKKK1019_10K-K.html

Just as it was prophesied that our economy would collapse in 2008.

     http://www.theamericannightmare.org/n-iKKK1019_ECON.html

Let me know what you think.

Max

Thanks for that alarming report from Spamerica.


>  -------Original Message-------
>  From: mxwlflndr <mxwlflndr@...>
>  Subject: [workerownedcoop] Without a doubt,  America's worst nightmare ...
>  Sent: 03 Sep '08 15:42
>
>  You need only read the first of the two pages at this website to
>  see that we as North Americans now face one problem for which there
>  is NO solution. Read the second page, and you'll know where the
>  problem I just mentioned came from.
>
>  [LINK: http://www.theamericannightmare.org/THE_GREAT_ABYSS__KKK_9-1.html]
>  http://www.theamericannightmare.org/THE_GREAT_ABYSS__KKK_9-1.html
>
>  Max
>
>

You need only read the first of the two pages at this website to
see that we as North Americans now face one problem for which there
is NO solution. Read the second page, and you'll know where the
problem I just mentioned came from.

http://www.theamericannightmare.org/THE_GREAT_ABYSS__KKK_9-1.html

Max

I have a couple who are very dear friends of mine that have had a
wonderful health food store in a very rural section of Southern
Oregon. They have put their business up for sale.
I think it may have the potential as a worker-owned cooperative
business for a small number of people. It would probably be best if
interested parties had experience in the health food business and
doing business in a rural area. They have put an ad in craigslist
which you can see here (hopefully this link works)

http://oregoncoast.craigslist.org/bfs/706950062.html

Here is the description they put in their ad:

Homey and spacious with an ocean view in a remodeled historic
building. Location, location, location on Highway 101 overlooking the
Port of Gold Beach and the mouth of the Wild and Scenic Rogue River.
In business for thirteen years, eight years under current ownership.
Eighteen hundred square feet plus outdoor dining. Beautiful penthouse
above also available for lease.
Contact 541-247-0297

You can contact me offlist if you would like further information or
help in reaching these folks. My e-mail address is cerf541@...

Please pass this on to anyone you think might be interested.

Cheeers!
William

Hi,
I'm starting a renewable energy worker cooperative in sacramento area.
  I've read several articles from usworker.coop and others, but have
not found specifics on how to incorporate (like can I use
legalzoom.com or is there a cheaper way, should it be an S-corp, is
there common stock, it's par value, etc..)  Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!
Rick

This site was posted on another one that I belong to.  It scared the
daylight's out of me!

http://www.theamericannightmare.org/FOOD_SHORTAGE__AAK415.html

Max

You tube on UP@100 celebration

For those who may want to re-live the fantastic experience we had
yesterday during the kick-off of UP @ 100, please visit the following
sites by clicking on the links:

Centennial Feature -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqibMiP9wmw
   Torch bearers -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIDD3nDLucU

Fireworks - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CA2oVkCFjg&feature=related

Carillon -
http://www.gmanews.tv/largevideo/related/15703/UP-Carillon-plays-again

UP Pep Squad - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMLo121U2Uo
UP Pep Squad - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpnD1ImgX5w
UP Pep Squad - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7BsCW7zbMA

Congratulations to everybody!  Happy viewing!

Dear all,

Here on youtube—UP Centennial kick-off.  Ang ganda!! Ang galing!!
Click below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CA2oVkCFjg

Here an account of one my classmates in high school.  No need for me
to tell another story.

Regards.


Jorge V. Sibal

--- Mario G. wrote:

Excuse any typos/ grams as am sending this at 2am, half asleep (manila
time)/wide awake (NJ time).  The motorcade arrived around 4 pm and
work day probably prevented more attendees from '66 batch. The float
parade (some used at the recent lantern parade), the dancing/rap
singing oblation dressed float person that had UP painted on his jock
strap!! (He was covered with a large dummy head, with a wink and a
tongue out caricature). Was rocking the house. Saw doy even dancing to
the beat!!!

The 10 banner bearing (UP@100 years-ang galing) sky divers with
pinpoint landings in front of the ad bldg. The vietnam issue army
helicopter that made several low passes dropping flower petals,
confetti to the crowd below.

UP Naming Mahal crowd song with fist raised to the sky (when did they
add this gesture? Is it militant?).  Rayadillo honor guard (now coed-
knew exactly how it felt/meant to be standing there with the trusty
garrand rifle! which tony commented probably had the same serial
numbers we used to memorize back).

sayang wala ka dito!!!

Celebration was awesome.  Not too often does my hair stand, but it
sure did at several points during the program!!!

The lighting of a torch edifice in front of the ad/oblation, after 100
torch bearing dignitaries walked around the campus (GG Javier was a
bearer) led by a 100 year old alumni!!! (Who walked part/ wheeled) was
a scene not easily forgotten. It was dusk when the torch bearers
rounded the bend to reach the crowd (and what a crowd- will see the
paper's estimate), then current pres walked up the stairs (10 steps
high) and lit the flame edifice.

Had to be here!!!
Ingat,
Mario

UP Carillon Restored on Jan. 8, 2008-01-05


Dear Classmates and Friends:

Fill your senses with the nostalgic sounds of the U.P. Carillon and
enjoy your trip down memory lane!

See you all on Jan. 8, 2008, 3 pm at UP SOLAIR!!

Happy New Year to you all!


The Carillon is playing again on UP's 100th.

Click the you tube below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnukWQqbqzY

  Pls. pass on. thanks.


Jorge V. Sibal

Huge motorcade kicks off UP Centennial Launch January 8, 2008

             A HUGE MOTORCADE participated in by the different units of
the University of the Philippines System from across the country will
highlight the UP System Centennial Launching on January 8, 2008 that
will kick off celebrations for the State University's 100 years of
existence.

             The UP Alumni Association, the organization spearheading
the kick-off activities, announced that the motorcade will start from
the University of the Philippines campus in Padre Faura, Manila --
where the first UP campus was first established in 1908 and will
proceed to UP Diliman in Quezon City beginning at 12 noon.

             UPAA President Ponciano E. Rivera Jr. said the Manila
convoy will then be joined by other motorcades originating from UP
Baguio, UP Pampanga and UP Los Baños and will converge with the UP
Diliman contingent along Quezon Avenue at an appointed time. The grand
motorcade is expected to enter the Diliman campus at about 4 pm, after
which a series of grand launching ceremonies will unfold.

             Lion dancers, ati-atihan performers and a host of UP dance
groups will welcome the motorcade in front of the Oblation statue
where a big crowd of alumni, students, faculty, staff, supporters and
well-wishers are already gathered. Sky jumpers bearing the emblem of
the various UP campuses will land in the open area near the College of
Mass Communication. Ten tambuli players will then blow their horns
from atop the Administration building, amid the ceremonial firing of
100 rockets ("kwitis") to announce the start of the program.

             100 torches will be relayed around UP Diliman's Academic
Oval, with the first flame being lit by a 100-year old alumnus. The
last flame will be lighted by UP President Emerlinda Roman, who will
then proceed to light the UP Flame, as all the flaming 99 torches are
extinguished. Simultaneous with the lighting of the cauldron, the "UP
@ 100" lights display at the Quezon Hall go on and the grandly lit
trees around the academic oval come to life, making the UP campus
blaze with lights on its centennial.

              One hundred rifle shots will be fired into the air by the
UP Rifle Team, ushering in the announcement by President Roman that
the UP Centennial Year is open.

              A free concert featuring internationally acclaimed UP
alumni, among them, the Philippine Madrigal Singers, Ryan Cayabyab,
the UP Symphonic Orchestra, Nanette Inventor, and UP Symphonic Band
follows at the UP Amphitheater. The evening will be capped by a grand
fireworks display.

             All UP alumni and friends are invited to take part in this
historic event. For inquiries, please call 981-8500, local 2589 or
2590 or send a fax via 632-928-2947.


PROGRAM OF ACTIVITIES FOR THE UP SYSTEM CENTENNIAL KICK-OFF

9:00 – 10:00 am               -Mass in UP Manila
10:15 – 12:00 nn              -Celebration Program in UP Manila
12:00 – 2:00 pm              - Motorcade from UP Manila to UP Diliman
- Assembly of celebrants at the University Ave. in UP Diliman
2:00 – 2:30                      - Motorcade from UP Manila meets
other UP College Units contingents in front of Lung Center in Quezon Ave.
2:30 – 3:00                      - Motorcade proceeds to University Ave.
3:00 – 4:00                      - Arrival of Motorcade at the
University Ave.
4:00 – 4:30                      - Sky jumpers with banners land in
open area near Plaridel Hall
4:30 – 4:45                      - Tambuli and `Kwitis' signal start
of ceremony
4:45 – 4:55                      - Doxology (UP Seraphims and Cherubims)
4:55 – 5:00                      - The Philippine National Anthem (UP
Manila Chorale)
5:00 – 5:05                       - UPAA President Ponciano E. Rivera,
Jr. Opening Remarks
5:05 – 6:00                      - Centennial Flame is passed around
the academic oval by 100 UP alumni
6:00 – 6:10                      - UP System President Emerlinda R.
Roman lights the centennial cauldron
- Carillon is played with 100 gun salute by the UP Rifle Team
6:10 – 6:12                      - President Emerlinda R. Roman opens
UP Centennial Year
6:12 – 6:17                      - Assembly singing of "UP Naming Mahal"
6:17 – 6:30                      - UP Pep Squad performance
6:30 – 6: 45                     - Revelry
6:45 – 7:00                      - Chancellor Sergio Cao invites
assembly to the Concert
- Assembly moves to the amphitheater
7:00 – 9:30 pm                 - Concert at the amphitheater
9:30 – 10:00 pm               - Fireworks

Statistics on Decent Work

The following papers were presented during the 10th National
Convention on Statistics (NCS), Oct. 1-2, 2007, EDSA Shangri-La Hotel,
Pasig City

Session IPS-22 Statistics on Decent Work
     Chair: Ma. Criselda R. Sy, DOLE
     Discussant: Linda Wirth, ILO

• Decent Work Status Report: The Philippines
by Cynthia R. Cruz, Ma. Luisa Gigette S. Imperial, Jeanette D. Tana,
Katherine B. Brimon, Ahmma Charisma Lobrin-Satumba, Dennis Joseph M.
Cabato, Mary Grace L. Riguer and Stephanie B. Tabladillo

http://www.nscb.gov.ph/ncs/10thNCS/papers/invited%20papers/ips-22/ips22-01.pdf


• How to Believe in Philippine Decent Work Statistics: Focus on
Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining
by Maragtas S.V. Amante
  http://www.nscb.gov.ph/ncs/10thNCS/papers/invited%20papers/ips-22/ips-22-02.pdf


• Measuring the Informal Sector in the Philippines and the Trends in Asia
by Jorge V. Sibal

http://www.nscb.gov.ph/ncs/10thNCS/papers/invited%20papers/ips-22/ips22-03.pdf


• A Shift-Share Analysis on Regional Employment Growth in Philippines
by Rosendo M. Aya-ay and Edmundo B. Prantilla


Source: http://www.nscb.gov.ph/ncs/10thNCS/papers/bySession.asp


Jorge V. Sibal
http://www.freewebs.com/jorge_sibal

Is there anyone with any experience in opening a hotel, hopefully as a worker
co-op? I know a little bit about it as I currently work for a large hotel
company, but not enough yet. I also want to add another component (a live
venue - it sort of fits the area I live in.)
--
View this message in context:
http://www.nabble.com/Interested-in-starting-a-hotel-tf4604895.html#a13148809
Sent from the Worker Cooperative mailing list archive at Nabble.com.

We do not list how many members we have, which was a choice made in quorum.
I personally did not care, but some of my more humble members felt it
inappropriate.
We have seven, though (I think it is okay to say so in this forum).
Well the way payment works is like this:
All members are paid equally, by the hour. If someone works more than
someone else, however, they can still benefit: If a profit is made, and we
have voted to distribute it as patronage, then it is distributed based on X
amount per hour.  So someone who worked 40 hours would get X amount extra
per hour for every hour they worked.  And so would someone who worked 20
hours, however they would get less of a bonus as they did not work those
extra hours.  It should be noted that things are still quite in transition;
we may decide to change it eventually.  For example, there is still some
debate on whether certain individuals (such as java engineers) should get
paid more for there specific work, ie if one is writing a program or website
for 15 hours, which then $10000, shouldn't they be paid a bit more than if
they were simply building machines?  We think a temporary solution to this
issue is to have payment for this "irregular" work done on a per-job basis,
which is then agreed upon in quorum.  Hope that's not too confusing.
We took a small line of credit.  This allowed us to pay rent + deposit,
fees, and office supplies. It also gave us additional capital for
pre-purchasing (parts, software, etc) so that we could build clients
machines.
At the moment, we are a partnership, so no shares. We are planning on
incorporating as a California Cooperative Corporation before the end of the
year (no double taxation!).  We haven't quite figured out the shares issue
yet---there is a lot of info out there and we are just sorting through it
all (with legal help).

I hope this answers some of your questions...

yochai

ps check us out on yelp!



copgalor wrote:
>
> I have gone through your website, and learned much about you.
> First I would like to congratulate you and wishing you all success.
>
> Still, I have some questions.
> - It is not clear to me how many members do you have.
> - I understand that members are remunerated equally regardless their
> qualifications and regardless efforts and hours they have given tot
> he cooperative. Is this is the case? Can you elaborate more.
> - Do you have any fixed assets you have purchased in order to start
> the coop. How did you finance them?
> - How many share capital each member has, and what is the value of
> each share. Is the value of the share is relating in any way to the
> real value of the fixed assets of the cooperative.
>
> Zvi
>
> Zvi Galor
> www.coopgalor.com
>
> On 09/10/2007, at 00:37, yochaigal wrote:
>
>>
>> Well it's up and running!
>>
>> I just wanted everyone to know. I had a lot of help, both from
>> people online
>> and from the wonderful Network of Bay Area Worker Cooperatives
>> (nobawc.org).
>> So here's the company, if anyone's interested in a success story...
>> six
>> months in, we're going strong!
>>
>> yochai
>>
>> www.techcollective.com
>>
>> ps I just want to mention that I never saw these responses... I'm
>> not sure
>> how I missed them!  But thanks anyways!
>>
>>
>>
>> Nora Madden wrote:
>>>
>>> Hey Yochai,
>>>
>>> My partners and I are in the start-up phase of a collective, so
>>> this is
>>> all
>>> fresh for me. Just off the top of my head, I would add the following:
>>>
>>> I am REALLY doubtful you could get a loan anywhere near that size
>>> for an
>>> untested business, unless it's from a very wealthy relative or the
>>> like.
>>> (Some of the business books mentioned below discuss various
>>> methods of
>>> capitalization.)  I agree with James that it's probably best to start
>>> small,
>>> and then once you can prove you have some success, you can try
>>> approaching
>>> your local credit union (actually, you might make an appointment
>>> with a
>>> loan
>>> officer just to see what your future options might be).  Before we
>>> decided
>>> to organize as a coop, two of us went to our local SCORE
>>> counselor; this
>>> might be worth doing, though we didn't get a lot out of it.
>>> Worker coops
>>> are tricky because most "mainstream" business folks don't know
>>> anything
>>> about them; but you're still running a business, so some of what
>>> they have
>>> to say will be applicable.  (At least until the revolution.)
>>>
>>> Check out your local library, if you haven't.  Let your reference
>>> librarian
>>> ask you lots of questions so they can help you.  Sometimes they
>>> have good
>>> "how to start a local business" resources already gathered.  Our
>>> local PL
>>> also has copies of "Putting Democracy to Work" and "We Own It"; if
>>> you
>>> can't
>>> borrow them, you might consider buying such books (there aren't many
>>> specific co-op business books, as far as I know) at Alibris or the
>>> like
>>> (of
>>> course, check your local used bookstore first!)  General business
>>> books
>>> that
>>> we've found helpful are "Small Time Operator," "The Partnership
>>> Charter,"
>>> "Growing a Business" (good section on how it's better to start
>>> with less
>>> money) and many, many books put out by Nolo.  A good reference
>>> librarian
>>> will also be able to help you find good online resources for worker
>>> cooperatives.  You will have to figure out what your legal
>>> structure is
>>> going to be if you haven't yet (e.g. Partnership, LLC,
>>> Corporation, etc.)
>>> -
>>> when you have, there's a Nolo book to help you through the legal
>>> shmegal
>>> stuff (but good to check stuff with a lawyer).
>>>
>>> Make appointments to meet local accountants, bookkeepers, possibly
>>> bankers
>>> and attorneys.  They will give you lots of advice, which you
>>> should try to
>>> receive as politely as possible; some of it is very helpful, and
>>> you will
>>> probably eventually hire the services of at least one or two of them
>>> (unless
>>> you have a CPA on staff).   Get recommendations from the small-
>>> business
>>> people you know.
>>>
>>> Finally, it sounds like you are doing a lot of this yourself (you
>>> say "my
>>> plan," etc.).  If your partners are really "in," figure out a way
>>> that all
>>> of you are doing the start-up legwork.  Find a way to make it a
>>> collective
>>> process from the get-go; things may take a little longer, but you
>>> will be
>>> building important working relationships as you go.  Try to not
>>> operate on
>>> assumptions, and together examine all of your deeply-held, probably
>>> unconcious beliefs about you have about business, money,
>>> relationships,
>>> etc.
>>>
>>> Best of luck to you!
>>>
>>> Nora
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On 10/7/06, james <news@...> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> So I decided that I instead I would start my own co-op.
>>>>
>>>> instead of what? is this part of a thread I've missed?
>>>>
>>>>> Specifically, I would like it to be a Computer Retail and Service
>>>> store.
>>>> I expect something along the lines of
>>>>> a "mom 'n' pop" hardware store... but a little like CompUsa.
>>>>
>>>> It's possible that you could start this business in a smaller and
>>>> less
>>>> risky way; for example, with fixing computers, you could
>>>> advertise, and
>>>> go
>>>> round to people's houses; that way you won't need to pay rent on
>>>> a shop,
>>>> and
>>>> it could be seen as an advantage in that it's more convenient for
>>>> people.
>>>>
>>>> It also seems to me that you're far more likely to get a loan to
>>>> have a
>>>> shop if you can show that you have a working business already.
>>>>
>>>>> Here's the other thing. I'm 23 years old---I know that this is
>>>>> young,
>>>> but this is what I want to do. I'm sure of it.
>>>>> Thus far, my plan is this:
>>>>> 1 Research how to build a cooperative business.
>>>>> 2 Build a Prospectus. Generate business data, etc.
>>>>> 3 Obtain some sort of loan (I'm thinking in the $100,000 range).
>>>>> 4 Find myself as many co-owners as I think I need (so far I have 3
>>>> besides myself willing to join).
>>>>
>>>> My experience is that you should assume you have *zero* people
>>>> willing to
>>>> join - when they sign a piece of paper going in on a $100,000
>>>> loan with
>>>> you,
>>>> that's when they're willing to join.
>>>>
>>>> If you have an IndyMedia collective in your area, you might
>>>> contact them;
>>>> it's likely to be a place where you will find people who are both
>>>> computer-literate, and likely to be interested in the idea of
>>>> worker-owned
>>>> cooperatives.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>> --
>> View this message in context: http://www.nabble.com/Re%3A-How-do-I-
>> start-a-worker-cooperative.-tf2400282.html#a13106258
>> Sent from the Worker Cooperative mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Yahoo! Groups Links
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>

--
View this message in context:
http://www.nabble.com/Re%3A-How-do-I-start-a-worker-cooperative.-tf2400282.html#\
a13111050
Sent from the Worker Cooperative mailing list archive at Nabble.com.

I have gone through your website, and learned much about you.
First I would like to congratulate you and wishing you all success.

Still, I have some questions.
- It is not clear to me how many members do you have.
- I understand that members are remunerated equally regardless their
qualifications and regardless efforts and hours they have given tot
he cooperative. Is this is the case? Can you elaborate more.
- Do you have any fixed assets you have purchased in order to start
the coop. How did you finance them?
- How many share capital each member has, and what is the value of
each share. Is the value of the share is relating in any way to the
real value of the fixed assets of the cooperative.

Zvi

Zvi Galor
www.coopgalor.com

On 09/10/2007, at 00:37, yochaigal wrote:

>
> Well it's up and running!
>
> I just wanted everyone to know. I had a lot of help, both from
> people online
> and from the wonderful Network of Bay Area Worker Cooperatives
> (nobawc.org).
> So here's the company, if anyone's interested in a success story...
> six
> months in, we're going strong!
>
> yochai
>
> www.techcollective.com
>
> ps I just want to mention that I never saw these responses... I'm
> not sure
> how I missed them!  But thanks anyways!
>
>
>
> Nora Madden wrote:
>>
>> Hey Yochai,
>>
>> My partners and I are in the start-up phase of a collective, so
>> this is
>> all
>> fresh for me. Just off the top of my head, I would add the following:
>>
>> I am REALLY doubtful you could get a loan anywhere near that size
>> for an
>> untested business, unless it's from a very wealthy relative or the
>> like.
>> (Some of the business books mentioned below discuss various
>> methods of
>> capitalization.)  I agree with James that it's probably best to start
>> small,
>> and then once you can prove you have some success, you can try
>> approaching
>> your local credit union (actually, you might make an appointment
>> with a
>> loan
>> officer just to see what your future options might be).  Before we
>> decided
>> to organize as a coop, two of us went to our local SCORE
>> counselor; this
>> might be worth doing, though we didn't get a lot out of it.
>> Worker coops
>> are tricky because most "mainstream" business folks don't know
>> anything
>> about them; but you're still running a business, so some of what
>> they have
>> to say will be applicable.  (At least until the revolution.)
>>
>> Check out your local library, if you haven't.  Let your reference
>> librarian
>> ask you lots of questions so they can help you.  Sometimes they
>> have good
>> "how to start a local business" resources already gathered.  Our
>> local PL
>> also has copies of "Putting Democracy to Work" and "We Own It"; if
>> you
>> can't
>> borrow them, you might consider buying such books (there aren't many
>> specific co-op business books, as far as I know) at Alibris or the
>> like
>> (of
>> course, check your local used bookstore first!)  General business
>> books
>> that
>> we've found helpful are "Small Time Operator," "The Partnership
>> Charter,"
>> "Growing a Business" (good section on how it's better to start
>> with less
>> money) and many, many books put out by Nolo.  A good reference
>> librarian
>> will also be able to help you find good online resources for worker
>> cooperatives.  You will have to figure out what your legal
>> structure is
>> going to be if you haven't yet (e.g. Partnership, LLC,
>> Corporation, etc.)
>> -
>> when you have, there's a Nolo book to help you through the legal
>> shmegal
>> stuff (but good to check stuff with a lawyer).
>>
>> Make appointments to meet local accountants, bookkeepers, possibly
>> bankers
>> and attorneys.  They will give you lots of advice, which you
>> should try to
>> receive as politely as possible; some of it is very helpful, and
>> you will
>> probably eventually hire the services of at least one or two of them
>> (unless
>> you have a CPA on staff).   Get recommendations from the small-
>> business
>> people you know.
>>
>> Finally, it sounds like you are doing a lot of this yourself (you
>> say "my
>> plan," etc.).  If your partners are really "in," figure out a way
>> that all
>> of you are doing the start-up legwork.  Find a way to make it a
>> collective
>> process from the get-go; things may take a little longer, but you
>> will be
>> building important working relationships as you go.  Try to not
>> operate on
>> assumptions, and together examine all of your deeply-held, probably
>> unconcious beliefs about you have about business, money,
>> relationships,
>> etc.
>>
>> Best of luck to you!
>>
>> Nora
>>
>>
>>
>> On 10/7/06, james <news@...> wrote:
>>>
>>>> So I decided that I instead I would start my own co-op.
>>>
>>> instead of what? is this part of a thread I've missed?
>>>
>>>> Specifically, I would like it to be a Computer Retail and Service
>>> store.
>>> I expect something along the lines of
>>>> a "mom 'n' pop" hardware store... but a little like CompUsa.
>>>
>>> It's possible that you could start this business in a smaller and
>>> less
>>> risky way; for example, with fixing computers, you could
>>> advertise, and
>>> go
>>> round to people's houses; that way you won't need to pay rent on
>>> a shop,
>>> and
>>> it could be seen as an advantage in that it's more convenient for
>>> people.
>>>
>>> It also seems to me that you're far more likely to get a loan to
>>> have a
>>> shop if you can show that you have a working business already.
>>>
>>>> Here's the other thing. I'm 23 years old---I know that this is
>>>> young,
>>> but this is what I want to do. I'm sure of it.
>>>> Thus far, my plan is this:
>>>> 1 Research how to build a cooperative business.
>>>> 2 Build a Prospectus. Generate business data, etc.
>>>> 3 Obtain some sort of loan (I'm thinking in the $100,000 range).
>>>> 4 Find myself as many co-owners as I think I need (so far I have 3
>>> besides myself willing to join).
>>>
>>> My experience is that you should assume you have *zero* people
>>> willing to
>>> join - when they sign a piece of paper going in on a $100,000
>>> loan with
>>> you,
>>> that's when they're willing to join.
>>>
>>> If you have an IndyMedia collective in your area, you might
>>> contact them;
>>> it's likely to be a place where you will find people who are both
>>> computer-literate, and likely to be interested in the idea of
>>> worker-owned
>>> cooperatives.
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
> --
> View this message in context: http://www.nabble.com/Re%3A-How-do-I-
> start-a-worker-cooperative.-tf2400282.html#a13106258
> Sent from the Worker Cooperative mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

Well it's up and running!

I just wanted everyone to know. I had a lot of help, both from people online
and from the wonderful Network of Bay Area Worker Cooperatives (nobawc.org).
So here's the company, if anyone's interested in a success story... six
months in, we're going strong!

yochai

www.techcollective.com

ps I just want to mention that I never saw these responses... I'm not sure
how I missed them!  But thanks anyways!



Nora Madden wrote:
>
> Hey Yochai,
>
> My partners and I are in the start-up phase of a collective, so this is
> all
> fresh for me. Just off the top of my head, I would add the following:
>
> I am REALLY doubtful you could get a loan anywhere near that size for an
> untested business, unless it's from a very wealthy relative or the like.
> (Some of the business books mentioned below discuss various methods of
> capitalization.)  I agree with James that it's probably best to start
> small,
> and then once you can prove you have some success, you can try approaching
> your local credit union (actually, you might make an appointment with a
> loan
> officer just to see what your future options might be).  Before we decided
> to organize as a coop, two of us went to our local SCORE counselor; this
> might be worth doing, though we didn't get a lot out of it.  Worker coops
> are tricky because most "mainstream" business folks don't know anything
> about them; but you're still running a business, so some of what they have
> to say will be applicable.  (At least until the revolution.)
>
> Check out your local library, if you haven't.  Let your reference
> librarian
> ask you lots of questions so they can help you.  Sometimes they have good
> "how to start a local business" resources already gathered.  Our local PL
> also has copies of "Putting Democracy to Work" and "We Own It"; if you
> can't
> borrow them, you might consider buying such books (there aren't many
> specific co-op business books, as far as I know) at Alibris or the like
> (of
> course, check your local used bookstore first!)  General business books
> that
> we've found helpful are "Small Time Operator," "The Partnership Charter,"
> "Growing a Business" (good section on how it's better to start with less
> money) and many, many books put out by Nolo.  A good reference librarian
> will also be able to help you find good online resources for worker
> cooperatives.  You will have to figure out what your legal structure is
> going to be if you haven't yet (e.g. Partnership, LLC, Corporation, etc.)
> -
> when you have, there's a Nolo book to help you through the legal shmegal
> stuff (but good to check stuff with a lawyer).
>
> Make appointments to meet local accountants, bookkeepers, possibly bankers
> and attorneys.  They will give you lots of advice, which you should try to
> receive as politely as possible; some of it is very helpful, and you will
> probably eventually hire the services of at least one or two of them
> (unless
> you have a CPA on staff).   Get recommendations from the small-business
> people you know.
>
> Finally, it sounds like you are doing a lot of this yourself (you say "my
> plan," etc.).  If your partners are really "in," figure out a way that all
> of you are doing the start-up legwork.  Find a way to make it a collective
> process from the get-go; things may take a little longer, but you will be
> building important working relationships as you go.  Try to not operate on
> assumptions, and together examine all of your deeply-held, probably
> unconcious beliefs about you have about business, money, relationships,
> etc.
>
> Best of luck to you!
>
> Nora
>
>
>
> On 10/7/06, james <news@...> wrote:
>>
>>   > So I decided that I instead I would start my own co-op.
>>
>> instead of what? is this part of a thread I've missed?
>>
>> > Specifically, I would like it to be a Computer Retail and Service
>> store.
>> I expect something along the lines of
>> > a "mom 'n' pop" hardware store... but a little like CompUsa.
>>
>> It's possible that you could start this business in a smaller and less
>> risky way; for example, with fixing computers, you could advertise, and
>> go
>> round to people's houses; that way you won't need to pay rent on a shop,
>> and
>> it could be seen as an advantage in that it's more convenient for people.
>>
>> It also seems to me that you're far more likely to get a loan to have a
>> shop if you can show that you have a working business already.
>>
>> > Here's the other thing. I'm 23 years old---I know that this is young,
>> but this is what I want to do. I'm sure of it.
>> > Thus far, my plan is this:
>> > 1 Research how to build a cooperative business.
>> > 2 Build a Prospectus. Generate business data, etc.
>> > 3 Obtain some sort of loan (I'm thinking in the $100,000 range).
>> > 4 Find myself as many co-owners as I think I need (so far I have 3
>> besides myself willing to join).
>>
>> My experience is that you should assume you have *zero* people willing to
>> join - when they sign a piece of paper going in on a $100,000 loan with
>> you,
>> that's when they're willing to join.
>>
>> If you have an IndyMedia collective in your area, you might contact them;
>> it's likely to be a place where you will find people who are both
>> computer-literate, and likely to be interested in the idea of
>> worker-owned
>> cooperatives.
>>
>>
>
>

--
View this message in context:
http://www.nabble.com/Re%3A-How-do-I-start-a-worker-cooperative.-tf2400282.html#\
a13106258
Sent from the Worker Cooperative mailing list archive at Nabble.com.

Well it's done!

I just wanted everyone to know. I had a lot of help, both from people online
and from the wonderful Network of Bay Area Worker Cooperatives (nobawc.org).
So here's the company, if anyone's interested in a success story... six
months in, we're going strong!

yochai


yochaigal wrote:
>
> So I decided that I instead I would start my own co-op.  Specifically, I
> would like it to be a Computer Retail and Service store.  I expect
> something along the lines of a "mom 'n' pop" hardware store... but a
> little like CompUsa.
> Here's the other thing.  I'm 23 years old---I know that this is young, but
> this is what I want to do. I'm sure of it.
> Thus far, my plan is this:
> 1 Research how to build a cooperative business.
> 2 Build a Prospectus.  Generate business data, etc.
> 3 Obtain some sort of loan (I'm thinking in the $100,000 range).
> 4 Find myself as many co-owners as I think I need (so far I have 3 besides
> myself willing to join).
>
> So, could anyone help me?  I would be so grateful if I knew where I should
> start, or who should I talk to, or whether I'm making a big
> mistake--anything would be most appreciated.
> thanks.
>

--
View this message in context:
http://www.nabble.com/How-do-I-start-a-worker-cooperative.-tf2342751.html#a13029\
521
Sent from the Worker Cooperative mailing list archive at Nabble.com.

U.P. School of Labor and Industrial Relations (UP SOLAIR)
Website: www.solair.upd.edu.ph

Application for the ladderized graduate studies programs in: Diploma
in Industrial Relations (Dip. IR) and Master of Industrial Relations (MIR)

Application Period:  August 1- Sept. 25, 2007

Deadline for Filing of Accomplished Application Form and other
Admission Requirements:  Sept. 25, 2007

List of Admission Requirements:

1. Bachelor's Degree
2. At least 2 years working experience
3. Documents-
a. Birth certificate
b. Marriage contract (if married)
c. Original transcript of records
d. Bio-data
e. 4 copies 2" x 2" pictures (recent)
f. Recommendations from a former professor and a former or current
employer
4. Payment of P3000 application and processing fee
5. Passing the entrance exam and interview

Date of Exam:  Sept. 29, 2007, 9 am to 12 nn, UP SOLAIR

Contact:  Office of the College Secretary, tel. 9286396 or 9818500
local 4077 (Nattie), email: solair@...


Jorge V. Sibal
Dean

What's New
Homenet Southeast Asia Joins a Conference-Workshop on Social
Protection for the Informal Sector

Guided by the theme Advancing OSH and Other Forms of Social Protection
in the Informal Sector, Homenet Southeast Asia was one of the
convenor-sponsor organizations in a Conference-Workshop held at the
School of Labor and Industrial Relations (SOLAIR) Auditorium,
University of the Philippines, Diliman on July 13-14, 2007.

In its capacity as the voice of homeworkers in Southeast Asia, Homenet
SEA pushed for the social protection concerns of the informals by
asking the cooperation of governments in the region. Other
participating organizations were ACIW (Association of Construction and
informal Workers of the Philippines), which has been promoting a
national program of upgrading jobs in the construction industry; AMRC
(Asia Monitor Resource Center), which is observing Asia-wide its 30th
Year through a series of awareness-raising programs on various labor
concerns; FairTrade Alliance (Philippines), which seeks the extension
of basic protection to all workers as part of economic fairness and
justice; U.P. SOLAIR, which is observing in July its annual 'SOLAIR
Month', and LO-FTF, a Danish union initiative in support of poverty
reduction and decent jobs in developing economies.

The objectives of the said undertaking were: 1) to give a Philippine
and Asian overview of the state of OSH and social protection in the
informal sector, especially OSH concerns of the construction and
home-based workers; 2) to identify possible and feasible policy and
program responses to the social protection challenge which
governments, industrial relations (IR) actors; and 3) informal sector
organizations/NGOs may adopt, and to outline practical steps towards
the development of a Magna Carta of social protection and health and
safety for the informals in the Philippines and Asia.

On opening day, messages of welcome were delivered by Dean Jorge V.
Sibal, UP SOLAIR, J Alibone Naboya, Programme Officer, Asian Desk,
LO-FTF, and Senator Wigberto E. Tanada, Lead Convenor, Fair Trade
Alliance, who emphasized full support towards "full employment and
equality of employment opportunities for all" as embodied in Section
3, Article 13, of the Philippine Constitution.

This was followed by a panel discussion on Pressing OSH and Social
Protection Concerns in the Informal Sector, composed of the following
resource persons - Maynardo Palarca, Association of Construction and
Informal Workers, (discussing ACIW's initiatives and program
strategies in the context of issues and needs of informal workers);
Apo Leong, Asia Monitor and Resource Center (providing analytical
insight on the scale of OSH problems in workplaces in Asia); Wilson
Tiu, FairTrade, (discussing how fair trade can improve the plight of
the informals); Rosalinda Pineda Ofreneo, Regional Coordinator,
Homenet Southeast Asia, (providing analytical discussion on the
initiatives of homeworkers and informal groups towards advancing OSH
concerns in the sector); and Dean Jorge Sibal, UP SOLAIR, (discussing
the promotion of labor protection in the informal sector through
various labor standards), with Dr. Rene E. Ofreneo, UP SOLAIR, as
moderator.

The afternoon session, facilitated by the Center for Labor Justice, UP
SOLAIR, was devoted to a workshop on various issues surrounding the
informal sector such as social protection and occupational safety and
health.

Workshop on the Magna Carta for the Informals was scheduled on the
second day, July 14. Activities in the morning consisted of an
Overview of the Workshop Process by Dr. Rene E. Ofreneo, UP SOLAIR;
Discussion on Standard Setting with Hanna Tubelonia, Division Chief,
OSHC- DOLE and Atty. Glenda Litong, ESCR-Asia, on the topic The
Formal-Informal Divide: Feasibility of OSH standards for informals
(both resource persons provided analytical discussions on the
provisions and limitations of OSH standards, current OSH
programs/campaigns and current OSHC interventions, with some
recommendations to further maximize informal sector gain, realizing
that OSH makes good business sense); and Social Protection Experiences
of Other Countries, with discussants Dr. Donna Doane, Homenet SEA
(Southeast Asia and South Asian social protection experiences
presented by Dr. Rosalinda Ofreneo), Apo Leong, AMRC (discussing the
basic rights for all workers, thus, magnifying the status of illegal
workers in the context of accessing legal protection); and Melisa
Serrano, UP SOLAIR (discussing the issues and concerns culled from
country experiences, giving emphasis to "organization", as that which
can give voice and "formality" to the informals in terms of accessing
social security benefits).

In the afternoon was a workshop session on the proposed Magna Carta
for the Informal Sector, with the special features of the Magna Carta
Bill presented by Josephine Parilla, representing PATAMABA and Homenet
Philippines; the matrix of features of the Construction Bill presented
by ACIW and from PHILCIDA, a proposed "Act to Strengthen the
Construction Industry". All the presentations elicited lively
discussions among the participants, which also spurred the formation
of a Technical Working Committee, whose role was not only to document
workshop proceedings but to also ensure that all comments and
suggestions from concerned subsectors pertinent to the proposed Magna
Carta Bill are systematically put together. The two day forum was
adjourned by Dean Jorge V. Sibal, UP SOLAIR, who also delivered the
closing message.

Source: Homenet South East Asia, Feb. 2007,
http://www.homenetseasia.org/new_homenetjoins2007.html , viewed- Aug.
31, 2007

Greetings:

I've been reading a lot about models of business organization that are
not what we would call strictly "worker-ownership." I've recently
become acquainted with a concept called Sociocracy. It was developed in
The Netherlands over 30 years ago and is now being brought to the US.
Here is the website:

http://www.sociocracy.info

Cheers!
William Cerf
Brooklyn, NY