Back by popular demand! Come learn why converting businesses to cooperatives benefits owners, workers, and communities. We'll provide an overview of benefits, models, and stories of businesses converting to cooperatives. This is the same teach-in we put on in December at Alchemy Collective Cafe that sold out in less than 2 days! If you couldn't make that teach-in, please join us on January 15th! We'll also share some of the legal steps and business considerations owners and employees should know before moving forward. Space is limited so please RSVP below!

About the Speakers

Mariposa Gardening & Design Cooperative's Andrea Hurd, Michelle Daniela Villarreal, & Allie Wilson Plasek:

Andrea is founder and worker-owner at Mariposa Gardening & Design with Michelle and Allie. Andrea converted her company to a worker cooperative, has over 20 years experience in organic food production and organic ornamental gardening and a lifetime commitment to increasing and sustaining bird and butterfly habitat as well as sustainable living practices and ecological stewardship. Michelle and Allie will share their experience being worker-owners at a company transitioning to a worker cooperative. 

Founder of & Worker-Owner at Niles Pie Company Carolyn Berke:

Carolyn is the founder of Niles Pie Company, a pie shop and café with retail sales, classes, dinners and catering, serving artisanal food in Union City and across the Bay Area. As of July 2017, Niles Pies is the first worker cooperative on the 880 corridor! We're very excited to have Carolyn come and discuss her experience converting her business to a worker cooperative!

Director of Economic Democracy Ricardo Nuñez: Ricardo co-coordinates the Law Center’s education, research, advocacy, and advice for equitable, democratic enterprises. He has been providing technical support to cooperatives for over nine years and is on the board of US Federation of Worker Cooperatives and the California Center for Cooperative Development.

Housing & Cooperatives Attorney Sara Stephens: Sara leads Sustainable Economies Law Center’s Housing Program and contributes legal support to the Cooperatives and City Policies programs. She is committed to supporting community-led solutions to housing and economic inequity.

Teach-ins at the Resilient Communities Legal Cafe

This teach-in is a part of the Law Center's Resilient Communities Legal Cafe. Sustainable Economies Law Center provides direct legal support to individuals and groups who are working to create new solutions for resilient local economies. The Resilient Communities Legal Cafe is a first-come, first-serve, donation-based legal advice clinic, providing a collaborative space for community building and connecting.

SHOUT OUT! This Legal Cafe is hosted by Alchemy Collective Cafe, a worker-owned cooperative business that serves delicious coffee and pastries! And, they host our Legal Cafes at NO CHARGE to the Law Center! Thanks, Alchemy!!!

Everyone is welcome to attend this cafe. 

Interested in legal advice only? Please RSVP here.