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Happy late Earth Day! Principle 7, concern for community, is just one way co-ops can be part of the solution to our climate crisis. As we build the co-op economy, how can we support a new economic ecosystem that includes a democratically owned, resilient economy for all, including mother earth? Let's talk about it!

April Co-op Social - Happy Hour at Black Star

April Co-op Social - Happy Hour at Black Star
Sunday, April 30· 5 - 7pm CDT

Join us at April's Austin Co-ops Social - Happy Hour at Blackstarl! Whether you are a Austin co-oper, former co-oper, or someone who wants to hang out with co-opers, you're invited. Thanks to all who joined us for the last social.

Join us again for warmer weather at the best little co-op brewpub in the country. We’ll have a few reserved tables on Black Star’s patio. We hope to see you there - drop by any time from 5 PM to 7 PM. Please RSVP here.

Chronically Ill/Disabled Co-opers Discussion &
Disability-Justice Co-op House
April 27th, 2023 - 6:30pm to 8:00pm CT

This is a virtual discussion about chronic illness & disability in relation to housing cooperatives and the possibility of starting a disability and/or disability justice housing co-op in the Austin Texas area.
There will be at least a couple of co-opers to share their experience but anyone is welcome to join the discussion (even if you are not in the Austin-area)!

See more details here.

How to Start a Co-op
Thursday, May 4 · 10am - 12pm CDT
Este webinar es gratuito y se presentará en inglés con interpretación al español. This webinar is free and will be presented in English with Spanish language interpretation.

This webinar will cover:

Establishing a steering committee
Drafting bylaws and formation documents
Creating feasibility studies and business plans
Finding co-op member-owners
Converting an existing business to a cooperative
Holding your first Board of Directors election
---and more!

Class attendees will have the opportunity to schedule FREE coaching and consulting with the instructor and other co-op experts. Event Brite Link

Discover the Benefits of Worker Co-ops
Wednesday, May 17 · 6 - 8pm CDT
Este webinar es gratuito y se presentará en inglés con interpretación al español. This webinar is free and will be presented in English with Spanish language interpretation.

This webinar will cover:

Short intro to the cooperative movement and economy
Examples of worker owned co-ops
Potential management structures for co-ops
Basics to starting a worker-owned co-op

Class attendees will have the opportunity to schedule FREE coaching and consulting with the instructor and other co-op experts. Event Brite Link

Business Co-op Committee
Tuesday, May 23 · 5:30 - 6:30pm CDT

Wish to volunteer for a committee and support the Austin cooperative movement? We have a a Business Co-op committee next month and is monthly. The overall purpose of the Business Co-op Committee is to support the mission of ACBA by supporting policy and programs to help worker, consumer, and producer co-ops thrive and grow.

You can see our committee calendar and committee Zoom link on our events page. Hope to see you there.

ACBA has been working with GAVA to conduct several community outreach meetings to recruit the steering committee. We held meetings in north, south and east Austin, including Del Valle area. There were 17 steering committee applications, and 9 residents and 3 organizations have been selected to join the steering committee for our year long process to develop and incorporate the new East Austin food co-op. We are excited by this challenge to address affordability, food access, and language justice in co-ops. Residents represent both north east and south east Austin, and include folks who speak Spanish, Dari, Pashto, Arabic, and Farsi. We are honored to get to know our refugee community, and support them in learning about co-ops. If you'd like to support our work on this project, make a donation today! or join the co-op club!

We are in need of more funding to ensure accurate interpretation and translation of all our materials.

Job Opportunities
Treasure City is hiring for a Collective Member (part-time). For this position, weekend and evening availability is a must! The pay starts at $16 per hour with potential pay raise after six months. They are looking for someone who is interested in building this organization with us over the long-term. Benefits include up to 4 weeks paid time off, a health stipend, dental and vision after a waiting period, flex-time, the option to complete some work from home, 20% discount on all store merchandise and a supportive work environment which values the sustainability and well-being of each employee. Check it out here: https://treasurecitythrift.org/jobs/.

US Federation of Worker Co-ops is hiring for a Network Organizing Manager (part-time, remote). This position provides a key role in supporting the development of USFWC’s Member Councils and Peer Networks. Member Councils and Peer Networks are a key part of our member organizing and engagement strategy. The Network Organizing Manager will join our Membership Department to help execute and evaluate the structure for support and leadership development of the members joining the Councils and Networks. They will also coordinate the flow of information, tools, and resources between the staff, the Councils and Networks, and the membership at-large. Check it out here: https://www.usworker.coop/job/network-organizing-manager/.

Guilded Freelancer Cooperative is hiring for a Systems Manger (part-time, remote). They are seeking a highly skilled and motivated individual to join our team as a Guilded’s Systems Manager. The successful candidate will be responsible for creating, maintaining, and optimizing Guilded’s tech platform and services, ensuring they are integrated seamlessly. They will need to have a solid understanding of various platforms, programs, and services and be able to quickly learn and evaluate new ones. A crucial part of this role is managing our primary database, built using Airtable, and integrating it with various APIs to retrieve financial, contract, and other pertinent information. The Systems Manager will partner with Guilded team members to identify and troubleshoot issues, optimize workflows, and enhance the usability of our platform. This manager will create and implement training programs that cater to diverse learning styles and enable staff members to acquire new skills efficiently. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a deep understanding of technology, possess excellent problem-solving skills, and be able to work collaboratively in a dynamic environment. Check it out here: https://www.usworker.coop/job/systems-manager/.

College Houses is hiring for a Accountant (part-time). This position works under the supervision of the Executive Director, the Interim Finance Director, and the Accounting Director. The Coordinator will work closely with the Accounting Director, who will continue to serve as the lead on all responsibilities for Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable (including rent paid by the student-members that reside at one of the seven houses). The Coordinator will be instrumental in creating the accounting records of several new nonprofit organizations that may be established as part of a proposed restructuring of the College Houses, Inc. organization. The Coordinator will serve as staff liaison to the Finance Committee members. Additionally, the Coordinator will prepare financial forecasting models to assist College Houses, Inc. in managing its residential housing units more efficiently. Check it out here: https://collegehouses.org/employment/.

College Houses is hiring for a Facilities & Operations Coordinator. This position works under the supervision of the Director of Facilities & Operations and is responsible for assisting in the oversight and support of the College Houses Facilities & Operations Master Plan. The Coordinator will also work with the Maintenance Coordinators and other Officers at each of the seven houses to ensure the best possible upkeep of the facilities while educating members on how to properly maintain their buildings. Additionally, the Coordinator will assist in training the Maintenance Coordinators at all houses and will be the primary support for work crews during summer sessions. Check it out here: https://collegehouses.org/employment/.

College Houses is hiring for a Member Wellness Coordinator. This position is responsible for providing leadership, management, and oversight of College Houses’ Member Engagement and the management of its various services. They promote a positive living and learning experience for residents and staff. Check it out here: https://collegehouses.org/employment/.

Key Figures is hiring for a Client Accounting Specialist - This position is ideal for someone who enjoys variety, has strong bookkeeping skills, is excited about working with technology, and loves to geek out on financial data. Folks with an independent spirit who love being part of a team will be a great fit.. Check it out here: https://www.keyfigures.coop/client-accounting-specialist.

Wheatsville tends to have positions open. You can see openings here: https://wheatsville.coop/co-op/job-opportunities/open-positions.

More Co-op News

The ACBA is conducting a census of Co-op Businesses in the Austin-area. If you are a member of a worker co-op, a producer co-op, or a consumer co-op, like Wheatsville it would help us greatly if you could complete this 15 minute or less survey*. *If you are not a worker of your co-op, please skip the work specific questions.

Help sustain our work by joining the Co-op Club with a monthly $25 donation. Support us in staffing up to succeed with our projects and continue growing this movement.

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In Cooperation,

Henrik "Henny" Tucker (they/them)
Program Coordinator