This one-day conference explores what cities can learn from one another about building cooperatives and cooperative networks, and what cooperatives contribute to cities, regions, and states. Our conference also provides an opportunity to learn from US House Representative Chaka Fattah about the National Cooperative Development Act, a bill he introduced into Congress on December 15, 2011. Other speakers include:

Dr. Gar Alperovitz, University of Maryland and the Democracy Collaborative

Hon. Paul Soglin, Mayor, City of Madison, Wisconsin

Dr. Michael Swack, Carsey Institute, University of New Hampshire

Dr. Jessica Gordon Nembhard, John Jay College

Dr. Steve Dubb, Democracy Collaborative

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). Specific cooperatives that will be discussed include:

From Pennsylvania: Weavers Way, Mariposa, Greensaw, Lancaster Farm Fresh, Energy Cooperative Association of Pennsylvania, TruMark Financial Credit Union, South Philly Food Co-op, Kensington Community Food Co-op, Ecology, Home Care Associates, Childspace
From Wisconsin: Willy Street, Regent Market Co-op, Isthmus Engineering and Manufacturing, Just Coffee, Union Cab, Organic Valley, Summit Credit Union, Mifflin Street, Cooperative Care 

AGENDA

8:30 a.m. Coffee and welcome

9 a.m. Keynote speaker
Gar Alperovitz

10:15 a.m. Concurrent sessions
Food co-ops: Willy Street, Weavers Way, Mariposa, Regent Market Co-op
Worker co-ops: Isthmus Engineering and Manufacturing, Just Coffee, Union Cab, Greensaw

11:25 a.m. Breakout sessions
Food system producer co-ops: Lancaster Farm Fresh, Organic Valley
Consumer co-ops and energy distribution: The Energy Co-op, Riverland Energy
Credit unions and community development: Summit Credit Union, TruMark Financial Credit Union

12:30 p.m. Lunch and break

1:15 p.m. Guest speaker

Mayor Paul Soglin

2:00 p.m. Keynote panel
Steve Dubb, Jessica Gordon Nembhard, Michael Swack

3:15 p.m. Concurrent sessions
Food co-ops: South Philly Food Co-op, Kensington Community Food Co-op, Mifflin Street, Ecology Worker co-ops: Homecare Associates, Childspace, Cooperative Care

4:30 p.m. Closing remarks 

Congressman Chaka Fattah

5:00 p.m. Reception

For more conference details visit: http://conference.philadelphia.coop

For more information contact:

Charlotte Jackson

Center for Public Policy

Drexel University

ccj34@drexel.edu

215-571-3797 

This event is hosted by the Drexel University Center for Public Policy and the University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives, with support from the Philadelphia Area Cooperative Alliance, the Drexel University Lindy Center for Civic Engagement, and the Haverford College Center for Peace and Global Citizenship.