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Guide to Worker Cooperative Bylaws and Operating Agreements

A DAWI guide explaining how governing documents can codify democratic ownership, governance structure, growth, and conflict-resolution pathways.

Source: Democracy at Work InstituteAdded June 12, 2026Published 2015
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Why it matters

Bylaws and operating agreements are where a co-op’s democratic commitments become enforceable governance rules.

Best for

Founder teams and advisors preparing to draft or revise worker co-op governing documents.

This resource is useful because it frames bylaws and operating agreements as more than legal paperwork. They are the place where membership, voting, board authority, ownership rights, and dispute pathways become explicit. Because governing-document law is jurisdiction-specific and the resource is older, groups should use it as a starting point and review it with qualified counsel.

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Heirloom Library entries are summaries and wayfinding notes. The original source is the best place to read the full resource.

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Next readings

Continue through the reading paths that include this resource.

From Worker co-op governance basics

Sample Worker Cooperative Bylaws

Use sample documents as references, not final legal advice.

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