Leading the Movement to Bring Social Cooperatives to the U.S.
Our ongoing crisis in social care–i.e., childcare, elder care, disabled care–is one reason the RMEOC is taking a lead role in advocating for and educating about the one type of cooperative enterprise almost unknown in the U.S.--social cooperatives.
Social coops are a community-led enterprises which deliver care services created and governed by multiple types of members. The latter might include care providers, care recipients, family members, community members, local government, and volunteers. Unlike worker cooperatives, social coops focus not only on their workers but on community benefit generally.
This hybrid structure–like a non-profit but also like a for-profit–means that there is currently no IRS designation for a social coop nor a legally recognized corporate form.
In places like Northern Italy, Quebec, and South Korea, however, the track record for delivering low-cost, high-quality care via social coops is both long and very successful.
Social coops, if we can learn how best to “import” their model, offer us a new strategy to create quality jobs for marginalized populations.
In addition to researching the promise of social coops themselves, RMEOC is engaged in exploring the types of infrastructure–financial and social–needed to make social coops sustainable in this country.
The Benefits of Social Cooperatives
In countries where social cooperatives are have a long history with deep constitutional roots, their benefits are widely recognized and include:
Multi-stakeholder Model
Offers multiple categories of membership, such as care recipients, family members, community members, local funders, and volunteers.
Collaborative Care Services
Draw on diverse membership to co-create care services, moving away from top-down models.
Meaningful Employment
Provide fulfilling jobs and membership satisfaction to various disadvantaged and marginalized populations.
High-Quality Care
Deliver some of the best quality care with high satisfaction among both providers and recipients.
Support the Community
By providing services to those in need and integrating disadvantaged individuals into the workforce, social cooperatives play a crucial role in supporting the community and addressing its specific needs.
Our Initiatives
The Social Cooperative Academy
RMEOC recently concluded an 8-week academy focused on social cooperatives, their core features, and successful global examples. Esteemed figures from the U.S. cooperative movement participated, raising awareness about the critical role social cooperatives play in supporting disadvantaged populations.
Research
RMEOC is leading a team of experienced volunteer researchers to compile a comprehensive report on social cooperatives, detailing their history, structure, and case studies from around the world.
Community of Practice
Launching in September 2024, our first Community of Practice (CoP) will provide a space to brainstorm and explore the potential of social cooperatives in the U.S. Stay tuned for more information on times, Zoom links, speakers, and other details in the coming weeks.
Advocacy
All these initiatives are part of a broader advocacy campaign led by RMEOC and its partners to advance the structuring and recognition of social cooperatives in the United States.
Sign Up Today
This vibrant, interactive Community of Practice will cover best practices, innovative strategies, and practical insights to support the growth and sustainability of social cooperatives.
Engage in meaningful discussions, expand your network, and be involved with shaping the future of social coops in the U.S.
Want to Learn More?
Social cooperatives are important due to their profound impact on 1) the care of marginalized populations and 2) their unique ability to facilitate job placement for these groups in our society.
Excited to learn more and support our efforts? Here are some resources for you:
Explore our Canvas, filled with top readings and additional resources about social cooperatives.
Watch the recordings of our Social Cooperative Academy for an in-depth understanding of social cooperatives.
Follow our blog series on social cooperatives to stay updated on our work and essential information about social coops.
Want to Support Our Work?
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