Founded in October 2009 in response to growing economic inequality, Cooperation Texas is an Austin-based non-profit committed to the creation of sustainable jobs through the development, support and promotion of worker-owned cooperatives. We believe everyone deserves equal access to dignified employment, which is why we place those most directly affected by social and economic inequality at the center of our work.Read More
Cooperative Business InstituteThe Cooperative Business Institute (CBI) is a comprehensive training program designed to equip participants with the skills and resources needed to establish and manage a worker-owned cooperative. CBI trainings and workshops are based on a participatory education model anchored in the tradition of popular education, valuing the knowledge and experience that participants bring to our work. Through a unique interactive learning environment, our trainers help participants flesh out their needs and goals, and work with them to put what they have learned into practice. The program provides a range of education and training opportunities on the cooperative model, the green economy, and the legal, organizational and business essentials specific to worker-owned enterprises. Whether you are looking to strengthen an existing worker cooperative or start a new one, the CBI has something for you. Choose from one of the following options:
Are you part of an existing worker cooperative looking to strengthen or grow your business? Do you have an idea for a worker cooperative but you’re not sure what to do next? We will work with you to design the right consultation/training package to meet your needs and budget. For a free consultation, submit a request today and email it to info@cooperationtexas.coop.
Startup CourseThe CBI’s startup course is designed for teams of entrepreneurs seeking to start a worker-owned cooperative. Composed of 13 classes, the CBI’s startup course covers a broad range of topics, including the fundamentals of the worker cooperative model, marketing, financing, democratic decision-making, business planning and more. Throughout the course, participants will receive assignments to be completed outside of class that will help shape the development and implementation of their business plan. All 13 classes are two hours long and are held twice weekly at 5604 Manor Rd. Upon graduation, participants receive additional hands-on training and technical assistance from Cooperation Texas staff and other business professionals, providing legal assistance, logo and website design, and help in finalizing their business plan. Graduates from our startup course walk away with the following:
The next startup course will take place from February 23 – April 5th. To apply, you must have a team of at least three people committed to a single business concept. The cost per team is $1,500, and we will work with each team to create a payment plan that meets their budget. To apply, fill out the following application and send it to info@cooperationtexas.coop by February 16th.
Gar Alperovitz of the Democracy Collaborative discusses his op-ed in the New York Times on Democracy Now!
Produced by Caroline Woolard, Cheyenna Weber, and Michael Johnson of SolidarityNYC. Photographed by Alex Mallis. Edited by Iva Radivojevich. Music by Michael Rosen. Reposted from American Worker Cooperative.
Third Root Community Health Center Worker Cooperative (Portraits of the Solidarity Economy) from Alex Mallis on Vimeo.
At the Third Root Community Health Center, we strive to thrive and achieve social justice and community wellness by providing holistic, collaborative care in an accessible and sustainable manner. Our greatest intention is to watch students and patients walk out of the center with a heightened perspective regarding their own potential for good health.
We strive to be Accessible, Empowering, and Collaborative.
Accessible — We offer sliding scale fees, a staff trained in anti-oppression, and a clinic that is building bridges within a community.
Empowering — Third Root is a place where people learn to make informed choices about self-care. We offer health education workshops, herb walks, a resource library, and someone available for questions.
Collaborative — Practitioners from various modalities work together toward a client’s optimum health. We will be working with members of the local community to form a Community Advisory Board as well as help shape workshops on health and well-being that reflect the community’s needs.
About a year and half ago, after working for years in the food industry, three of us got together to discuss the idea of starting our own bakery here in Austin, TX. We wanted to provide the community with superior vegan baked goods (starting with vegan donuts!), while building a business that valued equality, cooperation, independence, community and the environment over financial gain and exploitation. The seed was planted and the idea for Red Rabbit Cooperative Bakery was born. But while we all had commercial baking experience, none of us had experience starting a business, let alone a worker cooperative.
Luckily, just when we needed it, we came across Third Coast Workers for Cooperation in the local newspaper and enrolled in the full-length certification course through their Cooperative Business Institute (CBI). That’s when our real journey began. With Carlos Perez de Alejo and Andi Shively as our teachers and guides, we studied the history, values and principles of cooperatives, other worker cooperative models throughout the country, the basics of worker self-management, what it means to be a worker-owner, financial and business concepts, and began to develop a feasibility study and business plan. Carlos and Andi shared their wealth of knowledge on worker cooperatives and business, engaging in and facilitating a dialogue with us, and were always receptive to any feedback we had. It was an amazing learning experience that we won’t forget. It gave us the tools we needed to start our cooperative, as well as the strength and confidence to do it ourselves and give it everything we had.
And the best part? The learning did not end after we graduated from the CBI. In true cooperative spirit, Third Coast Workers for Cooperation continues to guide and support Red Rabbit, lending whatever resources they have, helping us make connections with the community, and answering our numerous questions. They have been an integral part of our development as a small worker-owned bakery. That’s why we mean it when we say we would not be where we are today if it weren’t for them, and we are so grateful for their work with us and other groups in Texas who are learning about or starting worker cooperatives. Join us in supporting Third Coast by MAKING A DONATION TODAY to help empower future workers like us and strengthen the cooperative movement here in Texas.
