Drexel Co-op Conference

Exploring Cooperatives:
Economic Democracy and Community Development in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin

On June 13, 2012, two hundred people participated in a successful one-day conference at Drexel University that explored what the urban areas of Philadelphia and Madison, and rural areas in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, can learn from one another about building cooperatives and cooperative networks, and what cooperatives contribute to cities, regions, and states.

Attendees were presented with information on a wide variety of co-ops.

 

Gar Alperovitz delivers opening keynote.

Congressman Fattah addresses conference at the PACA table.

SPEAKERS

  • Gar Alperovitz, Lionel R. Bauman Professor of Political Economy, University of Maryland
  • Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA), author of the National Cooperative Development Act of 2011 (H.R. 3677)
  • Paul Soglin, Mayor, City of Madison, Wisconsin
  • Michael Swack, Professor of Economics and Management, Carsey Institute, University of New Hampshire
  • Jessica Gordon Nembhard, Associate Professor of Community Justice and Social Economic Development, John Jay College Department of African American Studies
  • Steve Dubb, Research Director, The Democracy Collaborative

Case Studies

The conference included breakout sessions and workshops that examined specific cooperatives in detail, comparing those in Pennsylvania (mostly from Philadelphia) and those in Wisconsin (mostly from Madison). Research will be published by the University of Wisconsin Extension.

Case study presentations included:

From Pennsylvania:

From Wisconsin:

Sponsors

Schedule

7:45 am: Registration and Coffee

8:30 am: Welcome and Introductions

Richardson Dilworth, Center for Public Policy, Drexel University
Bob Noble, Philadelphia Aera Cooperative Alliance

9:00 am: Keynote Speaker

Gar Alperovitz, Lionel R. Bauman Professor of Political Economy, University of Maryland
Introduced by Bob Noble, PACA

10:10-11:25 am: Concurrent Sessions

    • Food Co-ops: Chairperson: Allison Turner, West Chester University
      • Willy Street (WI) by Courtney Berner, University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives. (Click here to download presentation.)
      • Weavers Way and Mariposa (PA) by Andrew Zitcer, Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, Rutgers University
      • Regent Market Co-op (WI) by Amy Gannon, School of Business, Edgewood College
    • Worker Co-ops: Chairperson: Linda Stevenson, Department of Political Science, West Chester University
      • Isthmus Engineering and Manufacturing (WI) by Anne Reynolds, University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives. (Click here to download presentation.)
      • Just Coffee (WI) by Joao Peschanski, University of Wisconsin-Madison
      • Union Cab (WI) by Trevor Young-Hyman, University of Wisconsin-Madison
      • Greensaw Design and Build (PA) by Dottie Dewey, Geography and Planning Department, West Chester University. (Click here to download presentation.)

11:35 am – 12:25 pm: Concurrent Sessions

    • Food System Producer Co-ops: Chairperson: Courtney Berner, University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives
      • Lancaster Farm Fresh (PA) by Christian Hunold, History and Politics Department, Drexel University and Melanie Jeske, Drexel University. (Click here to download presentation.)
      • Organic Valley (WI) by Esteban Kelly, The Graduate Center, CUNY
    • Consumer Co-ops and Energy Distribution:
      • The Energy Co-op (PA) by Allison Turner, Department of Political Science, West Chester University. (Click here to download presentation.)
      • Riverland Energy (WI) by Brady Williams, University of Wisconsin-Madison. (Click here to download presentation.)
    • Credit Unions and Community Development: Chairperson: Dottie Dewey, Geography and Planning Department, West Chester University
      • Summit Credit Union (WI) by Amy Gannon, School of Business, Edgewood College
      • TruMark Financial Credit Union (PA) by Daniel Dougherty, Lindy Center for Civic Engagement, Drexel University

12:30 pm: Lunch

1:00 pm:  Speaker

Mayor Paul Soglin, City of Madison, Wisconsin
Introduced by Anne Reynolds, University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives

1:50-3:00 pm: Keynote Panel: Chairperson: Craig Borowiak, Haverford College

    • Steve Dubb, The Democracy Collaborative at the University of Maryland
    • Jessica Gordon Nembhard, Department of African Studies, John Jay College. (Click here to download presentation.)
    • Michael Swack, The Carsey Institute, University of New Hampshire. (Click here to download presentation.)
      Introduced by Alan Greenberger, Philadelphia Department of Commerce

3:15-4:15 pm: Concurrent Sessions

    • Food Co-ops: Chairperson: Esteban Kelly, The Graduate Center, CUNY
      • South Philly and Kensington (PA) by Katharine Travaline, Drexel University. (Click here to download presentation.)
      • Mifflin Street (WI) by by Molly Noble, University of Wisconsin. (Click here to download presentation.)
      • Ecology (PA) by Daniel Flaumenhaft, University of Pennsylvania
    • Worker Co-ops: Chairperson: Andrew Zitcer, Bloustein School, Rutgers University
      • Home Care Associates (PA) by Linda Stevenson, Department of Political Science, West Chester University
      • Childspace (PA) by Michelle Kondo, Social Policy and Practice, University of Pennsylvania. (Click here to download presentation.)
      • Cooperative Care (PA) by Caitlin Henning, University of Wisconsin

4:30 pm: Closing Remarks

Congressman Chaka Fattah, 2nd District of Pennsylvania

5:00 pm: Reception