How Ownership Actually Works in a Worker Co-op: A Hands-On Introduction to Ownership Design

How Ownership Actually Works in a Worker Co-op

A Hands-On Introduction to Ownership Design

Ownership in a worker cooperative can feel confusing — especially as a co-op grows, brings on new members, or navigates change. This hands-on workshop is designed to break down how ownership actually works in practice, not just on paper.

Participants will explore the core elements of cooperative ownership, including who owns, how ownership is earned, how decisions are made, and how responsibility and value are shared over time. Using the Ownership Model Canvas as a practical tool, this session helps make ownership visible, discussable, and easier to navigate.

This workshop is ideal for worker-owners, cooperative leaders, and cooperative developers who want clearer language, shared understanding, and stronger alignment around ownership design.

About Johan:

Johan facilitates the development of equitable co-op ecosystems in emerging communities across the northeast. He also provides culturally informed technical assistance to ensure that communities traditionally excluded from economic investment can engage in cooperative enterprise. Johan joins CFNE after over a decade of collaborating with local leaders and institutions to design and implement community-based economic engagement strategies. He holds a B.A. in Philosophy from SUNY at Buffalo, a Certificate of Graduate Study in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from Rockefeller College, as well as an M.S. in Strategic Design and Management from The Parsons School of Design Strategies.

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You’ll leave with:

• A clearer understanding of how ownership functions day-to-day in a worker co-op
• A simple framework to talk about ownership with members and advisors
• Insight into common ownership challenges — and how co-ops address them
• Practical next steps you can apply in your own cooperative

Who should attend:

• Worker cooperatives that are growing, stabilizing, or revisiting governance
• Co-ops onboarding new members or preparing for leadership transitions
• Businesses exploring conversion to worker ownership
• Cooperative developers and ecosystem partners supporting ownership design

Date: Wednesday, March 11, 2025
Time: 12:00–1:15 PM ET
Location: Virtual (Zoom)
Cost: Free
Series: LevelUp Coops

👉 Registration required

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