Co-op Democracy 101

Join Cooperation Buffalo and Lexington Co-op staff, board members, and board candidates as we discuss a founding principle of the cooperative movement:

Democratic Member Control

Co-ops are controlled by their members! Members have control over setting policies for the Co-op and making decisions for the cooperative. At Lexington Co-op, our board of directors is comprised of 11 owners. Meet current board members, board member candidates, and learn from cooperative experts at Cooperation Buffalo.

5:30-6: Networking, hors d'ouevres, refreshments

6-6:30: Co-op Democracy 101 Seminar lead by Mike Zak of Cooperation Buffalo and Lexington Co-op Board President Pamela Beck.

6:30-7: Hear from Lexington Co-op's Board candidates on why they want to help lead the Co-op. The Co-op board election begins on 9/23.

Free and open to all.

This event is perfect for community-minded Co-op staff and owners who want to be more educated and involved in the cooperative movement!

About Cooperation Buffalo

Cooperation Buffalo is a community-led resource center, a team of cooperative business developers and educators, and a community-controlled non-extractive loan fund. We mobilize workers to achieve economic security through cooperative business ownership, generating wealth and power in communities most affected by inequality. Together, we are planting, cultivating, and harvesting the seeds of a burgeoning solidarity economy.

About Mike Zak

Mike is a seeker of knowledge, justice, and sustainability. He was the Co-Founder and a worker-owner of Gro-op, an aquaponic vertical farm, for the past 10 years. Mike co-created Gro-op as a model of what an ethical business could be: ever striving towards utilizing the most environmentally sustainable urban farming practices, empowering workers through democratic cooperative ownership, and investing in its community by providing on the job training programs for Opportunity Youth in Buffalo's East and West Sides while working with local non-profits towards Food Apartheid eradication. Mike has been passionate about the cooperative movement for close to two decades. He was a Board member and Board Chair of the Buffalo Cooperative Federal Credit Union for 6 years as well as a member owner of several local cooperatives. Mike has also been an activist and organizer in many social, environmental, and racial justice organizations throughout his life which include being a Board Member and Board Chair of the WNY Peace Center, volunteering at Citizen Action, PUSH Buffalo, Buffalo ReUse, and The Foundry Buffalo. Mike has 20 years experience being a business owner and has a Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy. He has worked as a Youth Educator at WNY YouthBuild teaching low-income Opportunity Youth, who had dropped out of High School, building trades & occupational skills. Most of all, Mike truly believes the best way to have a just and equitable society is through democracy and cooperative decision making.

#cooperative #community #BuffaloNY

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

1678 Hertel Ave, 1678 Hertel Avenue, Buffalo, United States