Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
COOPERATIVE ENERGY, RECYCLING & ORGANICS COOPERATIVA PARA ENERGIA, RECICLAJE & ORGANICOS
CERO Cooperative, Inc.Boston’s Zero Waste Worker-Owned Co-op
Working in Solidarity to Build a Sustainable Environment and Cooperative Economy
● We envision an organization that is democratic, maintains strong infrastructure, and collaborates with other local cooperatives to build the cooperative economy for people of color and the working class.
● CERO envisions a thriving local economy that improves the environment and generates community wealth & economic development within Boston’s most marginalized communities.
● We aim to provide a means of wealth through creating opportunities for worker ownership for people who have formerly been exploited by the capitalist economic system.
COOPERATIVE ENERGY, RECYCLING & ORGANICS COOPERATIVA PARA ENERGIA, RECICLAJE & ORGANICOS
CERO PROVIDES COMMERCIAL COMPOSTING SERVICES DIVERT HELPING BUSINESSES DIVERT TONS FROM THE WASTE STREAM
What is a worker-owned cooperative?
• May incorporate in various ways - LLC, S-corp, C-corp, etc.
• Members invest and shares (ownership) restricted to workers
• Democratic decision making. One member = one vote
• Surplus distributed to workers, covenants restrict sale of business
COOPERATIVE ENERGY, RECYCLING & ORGANICS COOPERATIVA PARA ENERGIA, RECICLAJE & ORGANICOS
CERO Co-op is a worker-owned business. Employees of CERO Co-op become members of the company, which is governed by its board of
directors, who are elected from the membership, according to the procedures in our bylaws
The Board of Directors Charge -
1. Represent the members of the co-op and act in their best interest2. Establish the policies of the co-op3. Hire and supervise management of the co-op4. Take responsibility for acquiring, protecting, and effectively using
the assets of the co-op5. Preserve the co-op character of CERO6. Set Goals and Objectives for the co-op, and evaluate the co-op’s
progress in meeting them7. Provide complete, timely, informative, and accessible information
about the co-op’s performance to the members.
COOPERATIVE ENERGY, RECYCLING & ORGANICS COOPERATIVA PARA ENERGIA, RECICLAJE & ORGANICOS
Challenges in choosing a co-op model Financing Management
Everything Else!
● No equity offered to outside investors
● Unfamiliar model for traditional lenders
● Start-ups vs. buy-outs
● Who’s in charge?
● Accountability
● Learning curve
● Worker-owner education is critical
COOPERATIVE ENERGY, RECYCLING & ORGANICS COOPERATIVA PARA ENERGIA, RECICLAJE & ORGANICOS
Benefits of a Co-op - Is it worth it? Worker Ownership Community Wealth
● Better wages & benefits
● Dignified work
● Skills development
● Leadership
● Building businesses in, by and for community residents
● Worker & family wealth
● Improved local employment
● Multiplier effect
● Creative financing leverages local & solidarity investment
● Development of new $$$ infrastructures
●
4 million lbs. diverted
1700 cubic yardsplanted
Results = permanent ZW jobs building a local circular economy
