WORKER COOPERATIVES: AN OLD IDEA FOR THE NEW ECONOMY 

WORKER COOPERATIVES: AN OLD IDEA FOR THE NEW ECONOMY In the age of unemployment, downsizing, outsourcing, and growing job dissatisfaction, people all around the nation are turning to an old idea that addresses the sometimes harsh realities of our new economy - worker cooperatives.  Tacoma residents can learn more about worker cooperatives through a series of free workshops scheduled throughout September at Tacoma's libraries. Worker cooperatives are business entities that are owned and controlled by their members, the people who work in them. The two central characteristics of worker cooperatives are: (1) workers invest in and own the business and (2) decision-making is democratic, generally adhering to the principle of one worker-one vote. One of the easiest and exciting ways to learn about creating worker cooperatives, say Petra Perkins - a business educator working with community groups to promote the development of worker-owned cooperatives in Tacoma-Pierce County is through participating in _CO-OPOLY: THE GAME OF COOPERATIVES_, a creative and exciting educational game designed for the growing worker cooperative movement. While games have been proven to be unique resources that shape the way people learn, work, and interact with one another, explained Ms. Perkins, _CO-OPOLY_ is more than just a board game. It is an innovative way for aspiring and existing cooperators, as well as other interested parties, to learn about co-ops and to practice cooperation. People who have played the game call it "fun and engaging" as well as "a great teaching tool about how to build and sustain" cooperatives. Starting a new coop can create jobs for people who may have never had the opportunity to own a business or earn a living wage. Worker coops are part of a larger movement to create an economy that is democratic, just, and takes care of everyone. Co-ops, said Ms. Perkins, "make possible the impossible, helping people do what they cannot do individually. Across the country, cooperatives help farmers and fishermen safeguard their livelihoods. They help consumers access fresh, healthy food. They help people attain business ownership and employment." The co-op business model also helps workers organize their own enterprises in every sector of the economy. Co-ops help people from all walks of life to live their values and keep their autonomy These workshops are sponsored by the_ TACOMA PUBLIC LIBRARY, CLOVER PARK TECHNICAL COLLEGE, THE NORTHWEST COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT CENTER, WILLIAM FACTORY SMALL BUSINESS INCUBATOR, GO LOCAL PIERCE COUNTY_ and _444 JOURNEYS LLC._ CO-OPOLY: THE GAME OF COOPERATIVES Tuesday, September. 10 from 5-7:30 p.m. Moore Library SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 from 10 am. -1 p.m. Main Library Olympic Room WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 from 5 - 7:30 p.m. Main Library Olympic Room  SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Wheelock Library Registration is required and can be made online at www.tacomapubliclibrary.org [1] or by telephoning the library at (253) 292-2001. ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR PETRA PERKINS is serial entrepreneur and story teller. She is the founder of _444 JOURNEYS LLC_, a project management company. She has taught in the business programs of _SEATTLE__ CENTRAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE_ and _TACOMA__ COMMUNITY COLLEGE__._ She is dedicated to demystifying entrepreneurship and educating people from all walks of life about the necessity and power of having solid entrepreneurial life skills. She is currently working with _CLOVER__ PARK TECHNICAL COLLEGE_ to develop a hybrid small business incubator at the college and to promote a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem in Pierce County. In addition to the incubator project at Clover Park, she is collaborating with various partners to promote the development worker-owned cooperatives in Tacoma-Pierce County. She is member of _GO LOCAL PIERCE COUNTY_ and currently serves as one of the co-presidents of that organization's board.   David Domkoski Community Relations Manager 253.292.2001   ext. 1220 Take the Tacoma Public Library with you wherever you go! Download our mobile app at tacoma.boopsie.com or at the iTunes App Store. ------------------------- Email sent using TPLmail Links: ------ [1] http://www.tacomapubliclibrary.org/