Exploring Cooperatives: Economic Democracy and Community Development in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin
A one-day conference that explores what the urban areas of Philadelphia and Madison, and rural areas in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, can learn from one another about building cooperatives and cooperative networks, and what cooperatives contribute to cities, regions, and states.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Drexel University, School of Medicine, New College Building
245 N. 15th Street (between Race and Vine), Philadelphia, PA
Speakers
Gar Alperovitz, Lionel R. Bauman Professor of Political Economy at the University of MarylandCongressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA), author of the National Cooperative Development Act of 2011 (H.R. 3677)Paul Soglin, Mayor, City of Madison, Wisconsin (invited)Michael Nutter, Mayor, City of Philadelphia (invited)Michael Swack, Professor of Economics and Management, Carsey Institute, University of New HampshireJessica Gordon Nembhard, Associate Professor of Community Justice and Social Economic Development, John Jay College Department of African American StudiesSteve Dubb, Research Director, The Democracy Collaborative
Case Studies
The conference will include breakout sessions and workshops that examine specific cooperatives in detail, comparing those in Pennsylvania (mostly from Philadelphia) and those in Wisconsin (mostly from Madison). Research will be published by the University of Wisconsin Extension.
Case study presentations include:
From Pennsylvania: Weavers Way, Mariposa, Green Saw, Lancaster Farm Fresh, Philadelphia Energy Cooperative, People-for-People Credit Union, South Philly Food Co-op, Kensington Community Food Co-op, Ecology, Homecare Associates, and Childspace CDI
From Wisconsin: Willy Street, Regent Street, Isthmus Engineering, Just Coffee, Union Cab, Organic Valley, Summit Credit Union, Mifflin Street, and Cooperative Care
Sponsors
- Drexel University’s Center for Public Policy
- Philadelphia Area Cooperative Alliance
- City of Philadelphia Department of Commerce
- University of Wisconsin, Center for Cooperatives?
- Haverford College’s Center for Peace and Global Citizenship
Tentative Schedule
8:30-9:00am: Coffee and Welcome9:00-9:45am: Morning Keynote: Gar Alperovitz
10:00-11:15am: Morning Concurrent Sessions
Panel I: Food Cooperatives: Willy Street, Weavers Way, Mariposa, Regent Street
Panel II: Worker Cooperatives Isthmus Engineering, Just Coffee, Union Cab, Green Saw
11:25am-12:25pm: Breakout Sessions
Session I: Food System Producer Co-ops: Lancaster Farm Fresh, Organic Valley
Session II: Consumer Cooperatives and Energy Distribution: Philadelphia Energy Cooperative, Organic Valley
Session III: Credit Unions and Community Development: Summit Credit Union, People-for-People
12:30-1:30pm: Lunch: Possible lunchtime speaker
1:30-3:00pm: Keynote panel. Confirmed: Jessica Gordon Nembhard, Michael Swack, Steve Dubb.
3:15-4:30pm: Afternoon concurrent panels
Panel I: Food Cooperatives: South Philly, Kensington, Mifflin Street, Ecology
Panel II: Worker Cooperatives: Homecare Associates, Childspace, Cooperative Care
4:30-6:00pm: Reception and Reception Speaker: Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA), sponsor of the National Cooperative Development Act of 2011 (HR 3766)
Registration
http://drexelcoopsconference.eventbrite.com/
For more information
Contact Charlotte Jackson, ccj34@drexel.edu, (215) 571-3797.
