SLICE Aims to Bring Community Together to Build Co-ops

An energized cooperative movement has thrust the co-op business model into the spotlight, prompting interest in why this centuries-old way of need-meeting is experiencing a renaissance. In support of next-wave cooperative enterprise, October 3 at Richard Hugo House, Central Co-op and the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE) Seattle will host Strengthening Local Independent Co-ops Everywhere (SLICE), a day-long workshop on cooperative basics for nascent and existing co-ops and folks who want to buff up their co-op engagement.

"SLICE is an opportunity to get people together to grow, from the grassroots, a new, cooperative network that's accessible, inclusive, and poised to promote the strength and relevance of co-ops," said Aaron Waldkoetter, a SLICE organizer and Central Co-op worker.

With the region's best and brightest co-op mentors, participants will gain an understanding of how to start a cooperative, best practices, nitty-gritty details, and inspiration. The highly interactive program will address different co-op models and how to get incorporated; assessing needs and creating community tools to fulfill them; team structure and development; global cooperation; generating capital and equity; and coalition building.

In addition to a comprehensive workshop schedule and the chance to network with other cooperators, SLICE goers will enjoy coffee and tea, compliments of Equal Exchange co-op, breakfast and lunch catered by Central Co-op, and beer, courtesy of worker-owned Full Sail Brewery. Visit madisonmarket.coop to learn more, purchase your $30 ticket, sign-up for work-trade, or apply for one of 13 scholarships, made possible by Seattle Metropolitan Credit Union and Group Health Credit Union.

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