What does co-op mean to you?

[OneGrassRoot]

I post a lot about co-ops and get very little response, which is surprising to me, as the cooperative structure is very progressive, imho, yet the United States lag far behind other countries regarding co-ops.

I'm wondering if the word itself conjures a different image for many here in the States and thus the word itself inhibits further discussion.

For example, if I described a new idea to generate jobs and benefit the local community as a worker-owned enterprise versus a worker-owned co-op, would more have an interest in brainstorming and discussing?

Cooperative enterprises involve so much more than produce co-ops or purchasing co-ops.

Evergreen Cooperatives in Cleveland is a great example.

http://www.evergreencoop.com/

"The Evergreen Cooperatives of Cleveland, Ohio are pioneering innovative models of job creation, wealth building, and sustainability. Evergreen’s employee-owned, for-profit companies are based locally and hire locally. We create meaningful green jobs and keep precious financial resources within our community. Our workers earn a living wage and build equity in their firms as owners of the business."


Since we're rightfully concerned and always complaining about lack of viable or sustainable employment, why don't more have an interest in taking the initiative to at least explore other avenues to create employment ourselves -- with creative ways to finance it -- in a way that has much more integrity than a traditional corporation with all the power at the top?

There are many different ways this could manifest if we're creative and innovative, but there is a lack of interest to even explore it which puzzles me. Hopefully someone can help me understand.

Thanks :hi: