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Affirming Institutions: Co-ops for Social Change
Inspired by the words of celebrated changemaker Ruth Wilson Gilmore: “Abolition is about presence, not absence. It's about building life-affirming institutions.”
At NASCO Institute 2023, we’ll explore the role of co-ops in this map of life-affirming institutions that light our way to a world beyond punishment and exploitation.
To envision abolitionist futures, we need to know not only what structures to dismantle, but what structures to build. At NASCO Institute 2023, we’ll explore the role of co-ops in this map of life-affirming institutions that light our way to a world beyond punishment and exploitation.
We hope you'll join us for a one-of-a-kind opportunity to build your cooperative skills toolbox, network with co-opers from across the continent, caucus about pressing issues, and collectively work on building an inclusive and accessible cooperative movement.
Who are we?
Since 1968, North American Students of Cooperation (NASCO) has been working with housing co-ops, students, worker-owners, activists, and community members who are interested in applying cooperative principles to meet their needs and fulfill their missions. We are the network that facilitates mutual aid and support amongst co-ops.
Testimonials
“We found the conference to be very beneficial for our small community-based co-op, especially from a financial perspective. We learned so much about strategies for being a smaller worker co-op, with a focus on membership and trust-building.”
“I can't put into words how valuable the educational experience is at NASCO Institute. You get to learn about things that you know you want to know for your co-op and then there are other, newer ideas presented to you. And the networking is priceless.”
“NASCO Institute gave me skills and concrete actions plans for anti-oppression work in my own community, as well as ideas/skills/contacts for creating new worker-owned co-ops and housing co-ops."