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Sponsors
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Central Co-op, a member-owned natural foods cooperative in the heart of Seattle dedicated to sustainable practices, community accountability, and the local food economy, has driven the development and realization of Strengthening Local Independent Co-ops Everywhere (SLICE). Nationally recognized as a values-forward cooperative leader, Central Co-op maintains a single urban storefront which meets the needs of nearly 14,000 active owners.
Organized by City of Seattle workers in 1933, title sponsor Seattle Metropolitan Credit Union (SMCU) is a respected financial institution open to everyone living or working in Washington. The firm’s bighearted support of SLICE has made possible our significant worktrade and scholarship opportunities.
“SMCU is really committed to behaving the way a responsible local co-op should behave. We listen to our members. We really participate in community programs with other coops and non-profits, instead of just mailing out donations. Through unique ideas like our Pay It Forward event, Operation Cooperation, and our high-rate, community give-back Feel Good Checking, we’re making co-op principles a part of everything we do,” shares marketing manager Andy Wright.
With a fierce team of cooperators, Wright drives SMCU’s values-forward messaging and action: “We recognize that we are not just a not-for-profit bank; we are a financial co-op. The co-ops that thrive and serve their members the best are the ones that respect the origins and the philosophy of the Cooperative Movement.”
Forever fervent SLICE allies, the folks behind SMCU were quick to pony up when we SLICE co-organizers asked them to help us realize SLICE 2009 and SLICE 2010, and Wright says they’re looking forward to this year’s conference, too. “SLICE is an incredible opportunity for people to learn about what makes cooperatives special, how to start their own co-op, and how take their current projects to the next level. Participants have access to valuable panel discussions and workshops, and best of all, to other like-minded people, for a chance to learn, dialogue, and network.”
A worker cooperative of nearly 100 members, Equal Exchange is steeped in economic justice. “As a fair trade organization, our mission is to change the way people relate to the stuff we consume. I think that’s true of most cooperatives: We want members to feel invested in their marketplace, their workplace, their economy. But Equal Exchange chose to be a worker-owned link between farmer cooperatives and co-op food stores like Central Co-op. Building a cooperative economy is a practical issue as well as a mission issue for us,” affirms Alison Booth, Equal Exchange Espresso Bar café manager at Ballard Market and co-chair of the board of directors.
Booth champions her co-op’s meaningful work which includes ensuring every worker-owner has the opportunity to see first-hand both how farmer cooperatives function and how the agricultural products sourced from these democratic operations are grown and processed, as well as Equal Exchange’s efforts to improve quality through grant investment and facilitation and professional development, from farmer to barista. “Who does that?” she asks.
Concerning Equal Exchange’s generous support of SLICE, Booth says her co-op feels lucky to contribute. “. . . [W]e are only successful because everyone in the ‘fair food chain’ takes pride in their work. This is a chance to give back to the co-op community and help it grow.” As a former SLICE panelist, she adds, “SLICE is an opportunity for those of us who love co-ops to learn from each other. We can build our skills, businesses, and organizations. We can inspire other cooperators (or make converts) with our passion. We can recharge, because cooperation is hard work. And, we can celebrate our diverse co-op community.”
