Article·Intro
What Is a Worker Cooperative?
Democracy at Work Institute
A Democracy at Work Institute explainer defining worker cooperatives through shared worker ownership and democratic control.
GovernanceWorker cooperative
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Showing 18 of 140 published resources.
Reset search and filtersResearch·Advanced
2021 Cooperative Governance Research Initiative: Worker Co-op Report
University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives
A University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives report summarizing governance structures, practices, and culture among U.S. worker co-ops based on survey data.
GovernanceWorker cooperative
Guide·Intro
Building Your Worker Co-op Board
U.S. Federation of Worker Cooperatives
A USFWC Co-op Clinic mini guide on the role, composition, and accountability of worker co-op boards.
GovernanceWorker cooperative
Case study·Intermediate
Case Studies: Business Conversions to Worker Cooperatives
Project Equity
Project Equity case studies of businesses that converted to worker cooperatives, including examples such as Big Timberworks, Namaste Solar, Pattycake Bakery, and Real Pickles.
Transition and successionWorker cooperative
Tool·Intro
Co-op Clinic Mini Guides & Tools
U.S. Federation of Worker Cooperatives
A USFWC collection of short guides and tools on worker co-op fundamentals, including member engagement, boards, structure, decision-making, onboarding, member removal, and meeting templates.
GovernanceWorker cooperative
Video·Intermediate
Conflict Resolution
Democracy at Work Institute
A DAWI-hosted AORTA resource outlining a conflict-resolution process that can be used by cooperatives.
GovernanceWorker cooperative
Guide·Intermediate
Democratic Management: A Practical Guide for Managers and Others
Democracy at Work Institute
A DAWI guide to democratic management practices organized around power, information, people, and money, with tools and examples for worker co-ops and democratic workplaces.
GovernanceWorker cooperative
Reference·Advanced·United States
Equal Exchange Bylaws
Equal Exchange
A real-world example of articles of incorporation and bylaws from Equal Exchange, one of the better-known U.S. worker cooperatives.
GovernanceWorker cooperative
Article·Intermediate·United States
Forming a Worker Coop: LLC or Cooperative Corporation?
Sustainable Economies Law Center
A SELC article explaining key tradeoffs between forming a worker cooperative as an LLC or as a cooperative corporation.
GovernanceWorker cooperative
Guide·Intermediate·United States
Guide to Worker Cooperative Bylaws and Operating Agreements
Democracy at Work Institute
A DAWI guide explaining how governing documents can codify democratic ownership, governance structure, growth, and conflict-resolution pathways.
GovernanceWorker cooperative
Video·Intro·United States
Intro to Cooperative Governance and Management
Sustainable Economies Law Center
A 30-minute SELC teach-in and supporting materials introducing governance, management, board roles, and power distribution in worker cooperatives and worker self-directed nonprofits.
GovernanceWorker cooperative
Guide·Intro
Meetings and Consensus
Democracy at Work Institute / South Mountain Company
A practical resource from South Mountain Company with tips for effective meetings and consensus decision-making in worker cooperatives.
GovernanceWorker cooperative
Template·Intermediate·United States
Sample Worker Cooperative Bylaws
Democracy at Work Institute
An editable sample bylaws document for worker cooperatives that can help groups avoid starting their governance documents from scratch.
GovernanceWorker cooperative
Article·Intro
Sociocracy: The Worker Co-op Operating System
CooperationWorks
A CooperationWorks article arguing that sociocracy can help worker co-ops avoid informal hierarchy, scale beyond consensus, and build transparent governance practices.
SociocracyWorker cooperative
Guide·Intermediate·United States
Think Outside the Boss: How to Create a Worker-Owned Business, 7th Ed.
Sustainable Economies Law Center
A legal and practical manual from SELC, EBCLC, and the Green Collar Communities Clinic on starting and operating a worker-owned business.
GovernanceWorker cooperative
Guide·Intro
Worker Cooperative FAQ
Democracy at Work Institute
A plain-language DAWI overview of what worker cooperatives are, how they differ from other models, and how ownership and voting typically work.
GovernanceWorker cooperative
Presentation·Intro
Worker Cooperative Governance and Management
Democracy at Work Institute
A presentation from USFWC and DAWN advisors covering the basics of worker cooperative governance and management.
GovernanceWorker cooperative
Research·Advanced
Worker Cooperatives: Pathways to Scale
The Democracy Collaborative / Project Equity
A research report by Hilary Abell on barriers and success factors for scaling worker cooperatives, including cooperative culture, training, management, capital, and governance.
GovernanceWorker cooperative