Sunday, November 7 | 10:00 am - noon
411. Mapping Just Food Systems
Canceled.
411. Undoing Racism in the Detroit Food System
Lisa Richter
Some would say that our food system is broken and if it is going to be fixed, and made resilient, sustainable, and equitable, it must be rooted in an anti-racist framework. We value a just and vibrant food system that reflects the strength and self determination of the community and contributes to the quality of life of all. The "good food" movement is working on fixing this system and taking an honest look at how racism has distorted it, as this work is to the benefit of all. In this session, participants will learn how Detroit residents are dismantling white supremacy in their food system and promoting active engagement and community accountability for ensuring food security.
412. Mapping African American Cooperatives: From Mutual Aid to Cooperative Business Ownership among African Americans: Asserting Economic Independence
Jessica Gordon Nembhard, Ajowa Nzinga Ifateyo
African Americans have a long but often hidden history of cooperative business ownership, cooperative housing, and use of collective ownership and cooperatives in the face of market failure and discrimination - and as a strategy for economic independence. This workshop will trace grassroots economic organizing and cooperative movement building among African Americans (activists, farmers, grassroots organizations, and scholars), from early mutual aid societies to formal cooperatively-owned businesses and co-op housing. Participants will be asked to contribute their impressions and connect what they already know about the African American experience to the lesser known cooperative economic action among Blacks, such as: African American involvement in early populist movements for grassroots empowerment, particularly in rural areas in the U.S. after the Civil War, and self-help communal settlements during the period of enslavement. Workshop leaders will also document the development and accomplishments of early federations such as The Young Negro's Cooperative League, and The Eastern Carolina Council (Federation of North Carolinian Cooperatives), and the contemporary Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund; as well as the cooperative movements inside the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters and its Ladies Auxiliary, and other Black political organizations and activists in the 20th century. The workshop will end with a discussion with the audience of contemporary Black cooperatives they are familiar with, and their challenges and accomplishments.
413. Fair Trade, Your University, and the Co-op Movement
Adam Konner, Sasha Petroni, Sarah Konner
In the first part of this workshop, learn the essentials of the Fair Trade movement--why Fair Trade is important, how co-ops are central to Fair Trade, what it takes to be certified, and how we can take a more active role in both the Fair Trade movement and the world-wide cooperative movement. Learn about the many things we can do right now as students, co-opers, activists and consumers to help bring justice to international trade and improve the lives of millions of people in developing countries. The second part of this workshop will be centered upon how NASCO members can promote Fair Trade in their co-ops and on their college campuses. Using USFT's Fair Trade University Campaign and ICC Ann Arbor's Co-op Solidarity Team as models, the workshop will discuss techniques for promoting Fair Trade, as well as challenges and obstacles Fair Trade activists face. {second paragraph only to be included on website} What is Fair Trade and what is the Fair Trade University Campaign?
Fair Trade is a relationship between producers and consumers striving towards economic, environmental, and social justice in the hostile world of international trade. As most Fair Trade producers are agricultural co-ops of small farmers, the co-op movement is integral to Fair Trade. The United Students for Fair Trade (USFT) is beginning the Fair Trade University Campaign this upcoming academic year. The Fair Trade University Campaign strives to label colleges and universities as "Fair Trade Universities," when colleges/universities meet six criteria, including education about Fair Trade and cooperatives.
421. Rural, Small Town and Urban Connections
Elandria Williams
This workshop will look at how cooperative enterprises and organizing happens in rural, small towns and urban communities and how to increase the connections in our local areas and beyond. If we are going to change the economic systems it must happen across the sectors and geographies. We will look at some examples of how those connections have been made and come ready to share about the work that you do and any successes, challenges or questions that you have. This workshop will be popular education based.
431. Co-op NYC: Geographies of Cooperation & Affordable Housing
Sarah Snider, John Balliet, Stephen Switzer, Ivan Safrin
This workshop will explore the geographies of cooperation in New York City and beyond. Co-op NYC is an interactive map that incorporates co-op houses, biographical data and rent rates in an effort to figure out who New York co-opers are and how they interact with existing communities and traditional residential typologies by questioning the idea of market rates and bringing community wealth to bear on their houses and communities. Co-op NYC will be presented and the discussion will be opened up to workshop participants who want to talk about other places and different ways of visualizing and activating co-op communities.
432. Mapping the University We Want
Canceled
441. Trans Allyship 101
San Maday Travis, Emma Gormley
Based on the Trans 101 and 201 workshops offered by the Oberlin College Multicultural Resource Center, this workshop will introduce participants to basic trans and queer issues, and will utilize an anti-oppression analysis to discuss how gender identity and expression contribute to and intersect with other aspects of identity. Part of our focus will be on theory, but the primary goal will be to encourage participants to think broadly and intersectionally about trans and/or gender non-conforming individuals' experiences and concerns especially in maneuvering physical spaces (such as co-ops), seeking legal and social services, and in navigating institutional structures. Exercises will explore opportunities, challenges, and potential solutions through scenarios and within the context of the experiences of the participants, especially as they pertain to the concept of allyship and creating safe(r) spaces for trans folks in co-ops and other spaces.
442. Navigating Class Issues in Cooperative Communities
Tyrone Boucher, Acca Warren
How do money and class affect our relationships and communities? We'll map out some of the dynamics that class privilege creates, and how these issues intersect with class, race, and gender. We will explore how these dynamics play out in co-ops and how to challenge them at interpersonal and institutional levels. Come prepared to discuss class dynamics within your own cooperative communities.
443. Who Is Missing From Your Co-op? Welcome People with Disabilities Into Your Co-op
Rahnee Patrick
Here's your chance to learn everything you need to know to realize full-blown inclusion at your cooperative. This workshop will address:
- Dialogue identifying who is a person with a disability (you may know someone or be one yourself! *gasp*),
- Proper language and social interaction to include people with disabilities, and
- Legal obligations under the Fair Housing Act, as amended and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Big smiles and opened minds guaranteed.
451. Conflict: Fight, Flight, or Opportunity?
Laird Schaub
Does conflict mean your group is sick, or just paying attention? Starting with the premise that conflict is healthy and normal, we'll map out options for unlocking its potential using the whole person--rational, emotional, and intuitive. Rather than talking about "I" statements or being nice, we'll focus on what happens and what can be done when things get hot, concluding with a four-step road map for constructive engagement. Special attention will be given to the advantages of working in a group and in the dynamic moment, facilitated by those not in the stew.
452. Fair Housing and Open Membership: Could Your Membership Policies Get You in Legal Trouble?
Daniel Miller
The Fair Housing Act and local housing discrimination laws are set up to prevent discrimination and exclusion in housing for the public. But does your coop's membership system violate the law in selecting members? Is a coop a public entity? Are you allowed to have a say in who you live with? Come discuss these and other questions and learn a bit about the context and history of Fair Housing in the US.
461. Roadmap to Cooperative Accounting Success: Principles & Purpose
Corrigann Nadon-Nichols
Assets, Liabilities, Accounts Receivable? Whether you want to be a more informed co-oper or a more confident treasurer, this course will make plain the fundamentals of bookkeeping. We begin with the basic principles of accounting; deconstruct invoices, payments & deposits; and then explore reporting and how the set-up of the books influences what questions and decisions are available to the co-op. This course assumes no previous experience, but will be insightful to the veteran.
471. Developing New Cooperatives Part IV: Purchase or Lease a House for a Housing Co-op
Emily Ng, David Sparer
Purchasing or leasing a property for your housing coop can involve lots of technical requirements, and also involve taking on huge amounts of debt obligation. Getting it right can be very important. Come and learn the ins and outs of purchasing a property or leasing a property for a housing coop.
