Updates and News from the Democracy at Work Institute

May updates and news from the Democracy at Work Institute

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This month from the Democracy at Work Institute: We contributed to the publication of "Ours to Share: How Worker-Ownership Can Change the American Economy;" we will be presenting at the Pinchot Next System Project Teach-In; the end of early bird prices for the Worker Cooperative National Conference is approaching; and we are hiring! Read below for more details.

Democracy at Work Institute's partner, the Surdna Foundation, has a new publication, "Ours to Share: How Worker-Ownership Can Change the American Economy". We are proud to have contributed to this publication that examines worker-owned firms and analyzes their potential to create a productive, stable and equitable economy as compared with traditionally structured firms.

Upcoming Events

On May 4th, our staffer Shevanthi Daniel-Rabkin will present alongside Allan Henderson of The Democracy Collaborative and David Korten (author of When Corporations Rule the World) at the Pinchot Next System Project Teach-In. The topic will be Revolution or Evolution? How To Change The System. Sign up for free HERE.

Jose Vargas is our keynote speaker this year at the Worker Cooperative National Conference! Jose is the founder of ‪#EmergingUs‬, a new digital platform aimed at sharing the stories of a new multicultural America that celebrates race, immigration, and identify. Early bird prices end May 16th. Register today!

JOIN OUR GROWING STAFF!

We are looking for an experienced, self-directed, and collaborative NYC Coalition Project Director to join our dynamic national organization supporting the field of worker cooperative development.
NYC Coalition Project Director : Applications are due May 15, 2016.

Additional Updates from the Democracy at Work Institute

A team from the Workers to Owners Collaborative presented about the opportunity for saving minority-owned businesses from closure by helping them convert to worker ownership at the Funders Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities conference in Philadelphia in March. DAWI's Camille Kerr (center), Brendan Martin from the Working World (left) and Cy Richardson from the National Urban League (right), speak on a panel moderated by Jose Garcia, the Surdna Foundation.

The North American Social Solidarity Economy Forum brought together communities from around the continent to Detroit last month to discuss strategies for building and decolonizing the emerging solidarity economy for all. Detroit's long history of community organizing inspired our conversations as we explored the opportunities and barriers to advancing an intersectional movement for economic justice. The photo above is of Esteban Kelly (second to the right), of the US Federation of Worker Cooperatives, speaking about how to cultivate a solidarity economy movement.

The April 11th Workers to Owners Seminar was a success! "At the dynamic mini-conference held in Minneapolis, Rocky Mountain Employee Ownership Center was able to impart vital information to young entrepreneurs and more seasoned business owners on the option of employee ownership. The feedback that we received was that the conference was invaluable!" — Halisi Vinson, Executive Director of RMEOC also collaborative partner on Workers to Owners initiative.

On April 14th the second training for the Financial Board Leadership Institute, titled “Power Dynamics, Self-Agency, & Efficacy on a Board" was held. Rebecca Bauen and Vanessa Bransburg from the Democracy at Work Institute facilitated a participatory workshop with the participants sharing their perception and experiences with self agency. They plan to continue providing training and support to the cohort participants as they embark on running for various Board of Directors of community development financial institutions and credit unions.