Schedule at a Glance
All times listed in Eastern time
Friday, November 10th
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM | Registration opens
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM | ICC Ann Arbor Co-op Tour
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM | Staff and Managers Networking and Social
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM | Cooperative Leadership Cohort Meeting
3:45 PM - 5:45 PM | ICC Ann Arbor Co-op Tour
6:00 PM - 10:00 PM | Identity Based Caucuses
Saturday, November 11th
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM | Registration Opens
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM | Course block 1
11:15 AM - 11:45 AM | Welcome and Kick-off
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM | Course block 2
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM | Lunch on the town
3:00 PM - 4:30 PM | Course block 3
4:45 PM - 5:45 PM | Hall of Fame Ceremony and Provided Dinner Pick-up (we will ask attendees to disperse and socially distance while eating)
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM | Identity Based Caucuses
9:00 PM - 10:00 PM | Collective Liberation Congress
Sunday, November 12th
9:15 AM - 12:45 PM | Annual General Meeting (virtual call-in option available)
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM | Course block 4
11:15 AM - 12:45 PM | Course block 5
12:45 PM - 2:00 PM | Lunch (provided)
2:15 PM - 3:45 AM | Course block 6
4:00 PM - 4:30 PM | Wrap-up and Goodbyes
Identity-Based Caucuses
Caucuses are spaces for participants with shared identities to raise issues, build connections, and organize for change within NASCO, their own co-ops, and our larger communities. In addition, each caucus will be electing representatives and bringing proposals the Collective Liberation Congress.
Collective Liberation Congress, taking place on Saturday, November 11th, can bring proposals to NASCO’s Annual General Meeting and elects representatives to NASCO’s board of directors.
Course Tracks:
Affirming Institutions: Co-ops for Social Change
This year's theme course track explores the role of co-ops in abolition, such as reducing engagement with the carceral system, building safety for people who are particularly vulnerable in the carceral system, serving as community organizing hubs, and responding to harm in our co-ops in visionary ways.
Staff and Managers
This year’s co-op staff track brings co-op staff together to build strong connections, share best practices, and learn new ways to tackle the unique issues they face, leaning into our conference theme of Affirming Institutions: Co-ops for Social Change. Sessions include a series of knowledge shares centered around specific staff roles and several opportunities to participate in our popular peer consultation sessions, as well as a number of sessions focused on concrete skills.
Cooperative Fundamentals
Keeping your co-op running smoothly requires a wide range of skills and a wealth of collective knowledge. Workshops in this course track will focus on building essential tools for maintaining your cooperative—from understanding member, board, and staff roles to dynamic facilitation and fair housing. This series is ideal for anyone who hopes to leave NASCO Institute with a foundation of knowledge and concrete skills to take back to their co-op.
Cooperative Leadership
A cooperative approach to leadership connects the human needs of members to a co-op’s mission and the day-to-day work needed to maintain strong organizations. Practicing cooperative leadership requires self-awareness, active listening, and gratitude when receiving criticism. Any cooperator can practice leadership when they uplift the voices of fellow members and actively work to share power equitably. This course track creates space for attendees to learn and practice core leadership skills and includes a sampling of the content from NASCO’s Cooperative Leadership Certification program.
Creating A Co-op
With the cost of living constantly on the rise, the demand for affordable housing solutions—like housing co-ops—is greater than ever. NASCO has pulled together a team of experts to take future co-op founders through the process of starting a new housing co-op, from clarifying the initial concept to drafting your business plan. Workshops in this series provide a comprehensive, step-by-step training program on the development process.
Cooperation Among Cooperatives
Working together with other cooperatives is a core part of what it means to be a co-op (it’s one of the seven Cooperative Principles!). Solidarity between co-ops helps each co-op serve its members most effectively and strengthens the cooperative movement as a whole. This course track features the work of cooperators across different sectors and highlights how housing co-op members can become more involved in the cooperative movement at large. Join us in these sessions to be inspired, expand your horizons, and dream big.