Co-op Resources
This list is not a how-to on starting or operating a co-op. It is mostly a link dump. The resources that seem most useful are at the top and should provide all you need to get started. I haven't read through all of these resources but they all look directly applicable at least.
The one place that is probably the most helpful - definitely for the US and possibly in general - is the US Federation of Worker Cooperatives. I highly recommend attending the startup webinar or watching a recording. There is a link document that goes with that webinar with more resources I don't list here.
These are good introductions to co-ops, how they work, and why you'd want one.
- A Technology Freelancer's Guide To Starting a Worker Cooperative (PDF)
- Worker Coops: A Better Way to Make a Living in Tech
- Think Outside the Boss (PDF Book)
- Everything for Everyone (Book)
Though the organization is not specifically for co-ops, Seeds for Change does offer some resources for co-ops in the UK.
For governance, Sociocracy looks promising. I'd recommend going through their free course that explains the fundamentals of this governance model.
Co-opLaw.org has a bunch of legal resources for co-ops.
A co-op called Enspiral shares their entire handbook online for free.
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