generating a co-op...

Generating Expertise … and a Co-op Conscience …within the Next Generation

Presented by:

Rick PettyJuly 19th, 2017

Where this presentation ‘fits’ in the 2017 Institute?

Nathan Schneider: “Democratic Design for the Online Economy”

Jason Wiener: “Platform Coops: A Model Business Structure”

Josh Davis: “CENet: Cooperative Education Platform”

Caroline Savery: “Colorado Co-ops Study Circle: Co-learning by and for Cooperators”

“Traditional lines that distinguish worker‐owned, consumer‐owned, or producer‐owned co‐ops tend to blur in a platform economy where much of a platform’s value comes from the contributions and resources of people who are not the company’s employees. Many emerging platform co‐ops have opted for a multi‐stakeholder model that encompasses various classes of co‐owners, such as employees, users and customers.”

“I have seen that direct, personal exposure to co‐ops is a tremendous teacher, even superior to witnessing a lecture or reading a publication … there is a real need, and a real opportunity at this point in time, for the co‐op model to spread like wildfire, if we can effectively expose people to it.”

“A new movement … so‐called “Platform Cooperativism” … has its roots in open source software developers, but is now looking at software technology company design as the next frontier in realizing the Internet’s promise as a truly democratizing force.

“An individual's perspective is largely the result of their upbringing and their experiences. Personally, I like to think of our individual perspectives as "reality tunnels" … a subconscious set of mental filters formed from his or her beliefs and experiences, where every individual interprets the same world differently, hence "Truth is in the eye of the beholder. If we truly want to change the economic system, we will have to consciously change our reality tunnels.”

What would the U.S. be like if every cooperative passionately advocated

the co-op difference within their community ? Food Consumer Cooperatives

What would the WORLD be like if every

cooperative passionately advocated

the co-op difference within their community ?

What if … all cooperativeslived the 6th PRINCIPLE … (cooperation among cooperatives)

regarding the 5th PRINCIPLE …(education, training, information)

regardless of the TYPE of cooperative(agriculture & food / banking & financial / wholesale & retail / industry & utilities / health & social care / insurance & mutuals)

in passing along passion regarding the difference cooperative’s can make by focusing on PEOPLE, not profit.(the Power of Human Connections)

Questions / Dialogue:• “Since having a unique firsthand experience of how co‐ops

can be has been fulfilling, I have felt deeply compelled to share the model with others …”

• “If someone has never … felt the difference … then how can I effectively convey about the incredible promise of the co‐op model?”– Caroline Savery

• QUESTION: What could be some implications from Caroline’s statements, regarding cooperative education programs … related to PASSING ALONG PASSION?

• QUESTION: What could be some benefits, of ‘living the 6thPrinciple, regarding the 5th Principle” … specifically related to PASSING ALONG PASSION within the Next Generation?

6 Blind Scientists

5 Doctors• Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis

– “mental models”• Dr. Britt Andreatta

– “neurologically wired to grow”• Dr. Thiagarajan (Thiagi)

– “Four Doors”• Dr. David Merrill

– “Five Principles”• Dr. Ruth Clark

– “Scenario‐based”

3 Illustrations

A Single Question:“Is Passing along Passion

possible … online?”

An Introduction …

… to the LEARN.coop difference

Questions / Dialogue:

• QUESTION: Who has inspired you in your life, and how did it take place? Has the passion lasted? Why or why not?

• QUESTION: Is passing along passion possible … online? If so … how & why, if not … why not?

What defines a REAL co-op?

Adam Schwartz

6 Blind Scientists

6 Blind Scientists

Cooperatives are companies owned by the people who use their services, and who form the company for a particular purpose:• To satisfy an economic or social need• To provide a quality good or service• To create a needed economic structure

Cooperatives are classified into three major categories, depending on the co‐op’s purpose:• Consumer‐owned• Producer‐owned• Worker‐owned

Jessica Gordon Nembhard

What qualifies as a REALco-op education program?


– “mental models”• The “Semmelweis Reflex” is a metaphor for a certain type of human behavior characterized by reflex‐like REJECTION of new knowledgebecause it CONTRADICTS entrenched norms, beliefs or paradigms.

• Semmelweis’ observations on hand‐washing conflicted with the established scientific and medical opinions ofhis time … and his ideas were rejected by the medicalcommunity … resulting in his commitment to an asylum.



– “neurologically wired to grow”• There are 3 Phases of Learning(LEARN, REMEMBER & DO)

• 3 Retrieval sessions spaced by sleep• 15 minute chunks & “Flip the Classroom”




– “Four Doors”• The Library The Cafe• The Game Room The Crucible





– “Five Principles”• Problem / Activation/ Demonstration / Application / Integration





– “Five Principles”• Dr. Ruth Clark

– “Scenario‐based”• The building blocks for strategic conversations … about key decisions & priorities

• There is a difference between providing basic INFORMATION … and PASSING ALONG PASSION.

• The future focus must be on integrating individuals into a COOPERATIVE LEARNING COMMUNITY, and not simply providing COURSES OF CONTENT, in order to PASS ALONG PASSION.

• A new MENTAL MODEL of education is needed …

3 Illustrations

3 Illustrations

• GAS alone is not enough … must have a ‘spark’

• SPARK is not enough … must have a ‘thermocouple’

• THERMOCOUPLE is not enough … must have ‘gas’

3 Illustrations

How to Moisten the LeatherVegetable tanned tooling leather must be moistened with water before you can work with it. This procedure is called casing. As you wet the leather, the fibers swell and soften, thus enabling you to stamp and shape it.

Again … A Single Question:“Is Passing along Passion

possible … online?”

generating a co-op...

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