Are you interested in learning about worker co-ops and employee ownership? Do you want to understand the benefits of these models and how they can help your business thrive? Then this workshop is for you!

In this workshop, we will explore the basics of worker co-ops and employee ownership. We will discuss the differences between traditional business models and co-operative models, and how they can impact your business. You will learn about the fundamentals of cooperatives, how employee ownership can be a powerful succession plan for business owners, and the steps needed to transition your business to employee ownership.

This workshop is designed for three main groups:

-People interested in learning more how employee ownership and worker cooperatives work.

-Business owners who want to restructure for growth, learning how to share in responsibility, and reward.

-Exiting business owners who are looking to their employees as a potential buyer.   

Instructor: Aaron Dawson is the Workplace Development Senior Director for The Industrial Commons where he leads efforts to create and sustain worker engagement programs through open-book management and worker committees in manufacturing plants interested in shifting to a more democratic and millennial-friendly culture. He also assists in Cooperative Development for The Industrial Commons enterprises and employee ownership transition for businesses thinking of selling to their employees. He has 15 years of experience as a worker-owner at Equal Exchange, a Fair Trade Massachusetts company specializing in the sourcing and distribution of coffee, tea and chocolate. For ten of those years, Aaron held the role of Customer Service Manager, overseeing a team of 12. He has many years of experience participating in and facilitating worker committees and developing ideas, policies and practices that create a positive and supportive work environment. In addition, he was elected to serve on Equal Exchange’s Board of Directors for six years and was Chair of the Board for one of those years. Aaron holds a Masters in Management, Cooperatives and Credit Unions from St. Mary’s University in Halifax, Canada. He served on the Board of the US Federation of Worker Co-ops for four years and served as the Board Treasurer for the Democracy at Work Institute for six years. Aaron is a certified coach with the Great Game of Business. SHA