Fwd: Proposal and comments from Brad Sherwood

[Larry Dansinger]

From Brad Sherwood plus two brief comments after the proposal:

Begin forwarded message:

From: torque77 <sherwoo...@yahoo.com>

Date: April 30, 2013 10:55:09 AM EDT

To: ro...@psouth.net

Subject: Proposal

Reply-To: torque77 <sherwoo...@yahoo.com>

From Evernote:

Proposal

PROPOSAL for COOPERATIVE MAINE

1.   That Cooperative Maine formally establish itself as a worker cooperative named the Cooperative Maine Network.  

• It shall have a Board of Directors initially comprised of the current members of Cooperative Maine,  to serve as voting members, this group being no larger in number than 9.  This number may be altered by a two thirds vote of the membership of Cooperative Maine Network.  Non voting advisors may include representatives from organizations deemed to be appropriate.  The Board of Directors shall establish divisions as deemed appropriate.
• The board shall appoint or hire the Division Directors of the various divisions.  Division Directors can receive compensation no greater than four times that received by employees in their second year of membership.  The Board shall direct and monitor the performance of the Division Directors.
• The Division Directors shall implement the instructions of the Board of Directors, hire members, consult with and share resources with the Directors of other Divisions, report to the Board of Directors on a regular basis.

2.    The following list of Divisions are suggested.

• Maine Growth Network:  Focus shall be the fostering and Developement of worker cooperatives. Shall launch 1,000 Points of Democracy Campaign (see addendum).  Shall assist in creation of all types of co-ops.  Shall coordinate efforts with other divisions.  Shall recruit and train future leadership.  Shall be the vehicle for public relations efforts, advertising, media activity, and business policy reform.  Shall maintain network database of contacts, people wanting to join cooperatives, business opportunities, etc.  Revenue stream:  media productions, grants ($500,000 - $1 million), donations, 5% of profits of members worker co-ops established through Cooperative Maine.
• Maine Energy Network:  Focus shall be sale of lower cost electricity to the general public, Network members, other organizations, and institutions.  Shall develop and implement practical alternative green energy technologies. Shall work to influence energy policy.  Revenue stream:  Electricity sales ($100,000+ per month), technology licensing, installations.
• Cooperative Maine Legal Network:  Shall provide legal services to Network members, appropriate partner organizations, and the general public (Legal Specialists You Can Trust (that don't exploit you)- great PR).  Provide free or low cost services to low income people.  Revenue stream:  Legal fees and grants for legal programs for low income and rural areas. 
• Cooperative Maine Land Trust:  Buys strategic properties to reserve for co-ops.  Assists co-ops in purchase of property. Revenue stream:  Property sales and rent (For example, strip mall space).

3.   Mission:

1. To foster Democratic Enterprises.
2. Foster statewide acceptance and desire for democratic enterprises
3. Create the momentum and critical mass that will enable Maine's non profit organizations that are working for economic equality and stability, sustainability, and cultural advancement to achieve greater effect.
4. The continuing education and advancement of its members
5. The promotion of democratic process and values in our communities.
6. By 2025, there will be A Thousand Points of Democracy in Maine.

Additional comments from Brad:

1. In the news this morning is a new Advance Auto parts store going into Skowhegan where there are already four stores.  If a locally owned franchise closes because of this, then all the profits from auto parts sales will be leaving the state.  General opinion is, "Oh well, that's just the way it is."  The town manager this is great for Skowhegan.  The director of Economic and Community Development said, "that's part of the American way".  Folks, it doesn't need to be that way.  "That way" works for the top, not for the 99%, and all our lives we have been sold a bill of goods.

The approach to take here though is not to criticize the individuals, who will get defensive and the never reachable.  But to educate the public about our economic system and the great alternative game changer, cooperatives, and especially worker co-ops.

2. Cooperative Networking

Cooperatives are wonderful, beneficial organizations.  Consumer co-ops, producer co-ops, electric co-ops, buying co-ops, etc.  In Maine, and much if the US, we are missing one of the components of the network;  worker co-ops.  With only 2 or 3 here, they don't have much impact.  

If we had a lot more there could be more effective networking.  Members of a manufacturing co-op can also be members of a food co-op and a purchasing co-op.  Members of food co-ops can purchase from a craft store worker co-op, in-home-services co-op, home repair co-op, and can also be members of an electric co-op.  Networking, in the form of multiple memberships, can create stability, mutual values and goals, better business and better economics.

[Jennifer Hill]

Wow! And to think I was about to unsubscribe to Cooperative Maine!

 

Jennifer Hill

Waldo, Maine

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