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 free 2015 Democracy at Work Institute guide frames bylaws and operating agreements as more than legal paperwork. They are the place where membership, voting, board authority, ownership rights, growth, and dispute pathways become explicit.
Use the guide to identify decisions and draft questions, not as current state-specific law. DAWI explicitly recommends working with lawyers and accountants; groups should review the resulting documents with qualified counsel for their entity type, jurisdiction, and actual governance practice.
Continue with the original source
Heirloom Library entries are summaries and wayfinding notes. The original source is the best place to read the full resource.
Open original resourceNext readings
Continue through the reading paths that include this resource.
From Worker co-op governance basics
Sample Worker Cooperative Bylaws
Open this 2013 editable sample only after identifying your choices. It is a drafting reference, not language to copy without adapting the entity type, state law, and actual governance practice.
View full path