Everything Co-op With Vernon Oakes

Mike Mercer, former CEO of the League of Southeastern Credit Unions & Affiliates discusses how benefits credit unions create for its members. He also explains how credit unions help people to afford their lives, and empowers them to be free, and become more enthusiastic about life. Mike Mercer recently retired as the CEO of the League of Southeastern Credit Unions & Affiliates. In this capacity, he was responsible for providing leadership for trade association services across a three-state footprint to include Alabama, Florida and Georgia. Mr. Mercer represented the interests of credit unions in numerous ways for almost four decades. Mike came to Georgia in 1980 as President of Georgia Central Credit Union. He was named President/CEO of Georgia Credit Union Affiliates in 1985 and moved into his role as CEO of LSCU & Affiliates prior to his retirement. He studied economics at the University of Rhode Island and earned his master's degree in banking and finance at the University of Wisconsin. He has been th

Reverend Graylen Scott Hagler, Co-chair of the Washington DC chapter of the Poor People's Campaign, and Senior Minister of Plymouth Congregational Church in Washington, DC discuss the "Poor Peoples Campaign," initially formed by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and its relevancy to the Association for the Study of African American Life and History's 2020 Black History Month theme: African Americans and the Vote. As we celebrate Black History Month, and focus on the different issues surrounding the importance of African Americans and the Vote, we are reminded of the need for the Poor Peoples Campaign, and the need to keep the issues of the campaign at the forefront of the political platform. Rev. Hagler, a co-chair the Washington, DC Chapter of the Campaign discusses the continued need for a campaign that represents the concerns of those who are without voice. Rev. Hagler has been deeply involved in civil rights activities from the beginning of his ministry up to the present. He is a graduate of Oberlin Col

During February, Everything Co-op celebrates Black History Month by focusing on ASALH’s (Association for the Study of African American Life and History) theme. The 2020 theme is African Americans and the Vote. Therefore, it was quite fitting to bring David Thompson, President of Twin Pines Cooperative Foundation back to Everything Co-op to discusses the efforts of cooperatives to prepare and register African Americans to vote. David Thompson has conducted extensive research for his upcoming book, Cooperatives and the Civil Rights Movement. Through his research for the book, he has learned a great deal of valuable information regarding the involvement of cooperatives in efforts to get African Americans registered. David traces early efforts of cooperative involvement in voter registration to the "Progressive Club," a cooperative that promoted voter registration, and trained local Black residents to pass the voter registration test. The co-op would ultimately share the proponents of its program with the High

Jim Schulman, AIA, Executive Manager of the Alliance for Regional Cooperation Appears on Everything Co-op. Vernon Oakes, host of Everything Co-op, and Jim discuss the need to reschale, and retool our local economy to become more sustainable, and the need to establish an ecosystem to achieve that goal. Jim plans to begin this process through the Cooperative Alliance, the first endeavor of the Alliance for Regional Cooperation. Through the Cooperative Alliance the organization plans to help all of the 250 cooperatives it has identified in the Washington Metropolitan Region to be able to help each other through the formation of a cooperative of cooperatives. Then, after the organization becomes established, it plans to open up the membership to small and mid-size businesses that are not cooperatives. Jim Schulman, AIA is a regional sustainability strategist, an environmentally-sensitive Architect, and a social entrepreneur. He is the Executive Manager of the Alliance for Regional Cooperation, a regional econ

Vernon interviews Brian Dahlk, Senior Manager at Wegner CPAs. Vernon and Bian discuss the personalized services, education, and knowledge that Wegner CPAs provides for its customers. Also, since it's the beginning of 2020, we know that many of you are ready to get an early start on preparing your taxes. Therefore, Brian also discussed the accounting services that are provided to cooperatives through his company's platform Brian Dahlk has been the Senior Manager at the accounting firm Wegner CPAs in Madison, Wisconsin for the past thirteen years. During this time he has provided audits, financial reviews, tax returns, and consulting services for hundreds of cooperative organizations all across the country. He received his master's degree in business in 1992 and his Certified Public Accountant designation in 2006. Prior to joining Wegner CPAs, he owned a business and worked as a financial manager for several nonprofits and cooperatives in Wisconsin and California. Brian also prepares tax returns for coope

Jack Barnett, Co-founder and President of the Northeastern Pennsylvania-based Clean Energy Co-op, discusses its formation and projects the organization has supported. Clean Energy Co-op was started in 2014 as a 'spin-out' from the local non-profit Sustainable Energy Education & Development Support (SEEDS), with a mission to develop clean energy resources for the benefit of its rural community and it's current 80+ members. Jack is a board member with SEEDS. He has been a solar advocate for decades, and past chair of a state chapter of the American Solar Energy Society. To date the Clean Energy Co-op has financed two commercial-scale solar system projects at farms and one on a non-profit community center. This Spring Clean Energy Co-op hopes to complete a fourth project with a local government entity, using cooperative capital, along with grant funding.

Courtney Berner, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives, discusses the Center's cooperative development efforts with Host Vernon Oakes. She highlights: programs that are being used to help communities establish worker cooperatives to address succession planning; research efforts that are targeted to explore the many facets of cooperative governance; and conferences, roadshows and other techniques that are being used to educate the community about the cooperative model. Courtney joined the University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives in 2011 and served as a cooperative development specialist until assuming the role of executive director in January 2018. Courtney develops research, outreach, and education programs on cooperatives and provides support to new and established cooperatives in a wide range of industries. Her areas of expertise include cooperative education, business development, cooperative finance and governance, and innovative uses of the cooperative model. Courtney also

Cathy Statz, Education Director of the Wisconsin Farmers Union (WFU), discusses its origins and history. She also discusses the many programs and initiatives of WFU. Cathy discusses the original efforts to organize farmers in the area that began in 1902, which came far before the official Charter was received in 1930. When speaking about why cooperatives are so unknown she recites a statement made by an advocate of cooperatives from the 1930s as follows; "People do not know about cooperatives because of two things. First, a lack of information concerning cooperation, and second, the fact that its principles are opposed to privilege." Thus, she further cites that "Cooperatives have two things working against it; ignorance and selfishness." In the role of education director, Cathy Statz facilitates cooperative education programs for Farmers Union members, youth and the general public, including Farmers Union's 80+ years old cooperative camp program. She has assisted with cooperative youth leadership dev

Felicia Wong, President/CEO of the Roosevelt Institute, discusses "The Hidden Rules of Race: Barriers to an Inclusive Economy," and potential solutions to address the barriers with host, Vernon Oakes. Dr. Wong illustrates the interrelationships of occupational segregation, school segregation and the racial wealth gap. She also suggest that she feels that cooperatives can be a part of addressing some of those ills. Felicia Wong is the President and CEO of the Roosevelt Institute, a New York-based think tank and campus network that promotes a bold economic and political vision capable of bringing the ideals of Franklin and Eleanor into the 21st century. She helps lead the Roosevelt Institute's work on a rewriting the rules agenda, a comprehensive economic program and narrative that has become increasingly influential. She is the co-author of The Hidden Rules of Race: Barriers to an Inclusive Economy (Cambridge University Press, 2017) and her work has appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, Time

Rodney North, Cooperative Consultant and member of the DC Cooperative Stakeholders Group, discusses a mapping project of Cooperatives in the DMV, resources for cooperatives, and priorities of the DC Stakeholders Group. Rodney North has spent more than two decades in co-ops, helping co-ops, or advocating for the co-op model, and usually was doing all three at the same time. Today Rodney is consultant to cooperatives, and an active member of the DC Cooperative Stakeholders Group. This is a group of local people and institutions who have been meeting for 2 1/2 years, to explore ways to strengthen and support co-ops in the city. The city is supporting this effort because business cooperatives are one thread in the city's overall economic development strategy. Before returning to the DC area in 2015 Rodney spent 20 years as part of Equal Exchange - one of the nation's largest, most successful, and influential worker-owned cooperatives. You may know Equal Exchange for its brand of organic Fair Trade c

Vernon interviews Bruce Mayer, Partner at Wegner CPAs. Vernon and Bruce will discuss the role of CPAs in the business side of running a cooperative, and the importance of observing all the rules associated with non-profit accounting. They also discuss how Wegner's belief in doing what is right for its clients and employees results in creating an environment that improve performance and operational effectiveness, while also enabling Wegner to prosper as well. Bruce Mayer joined Wegner CPAs in 1988 and currently serves as a Partner in the Assurance Department, working primarily on audits and tax returns of cooperatives, commercial businesses, nonprofits and employee benefit plans. With over twenty-nine years' experience, Bruce performs audits of all kinds and provides consulting services on taxation of nonprofits and cooperatives. Bruce enjoys helping clients solve problems and providing clients advice on accounting and tax strategies that meet their needs. When not at work, Bruce enjoys a variet

Everything Co-op broadcast live from the New Deal Cafe, in Greenbelt, Maryland. This was the first of our live Broadcasts, to be held at a cafe where our listening audience was able to witness the broadcast while patronizing a co-op restaurant. The café is a non-stock, cooperative membership corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Maryland. It was named in honor of Works Project Administration, a part of Franklin D. Roosevelt's Depression-era New Deal, which built the city of Greenbelt. The cafe is Greenbelt's living room.

Everything Coop broadcast live from the Cincinnati Union Co-op Initiative's (CUCI) 4th Biennial Union Co-op Symposium, Liberating our Futures Together: Building the Cooperative Ecosystem. Vernon interviews Roger Green, Organizer of Brooklyn's Save Interfaith Coalition. Vernon and Roger discuss the construct he has been formulating to build community labor coalitions and unionized worker co-ops to address the rapid demise of health care institutions. Roger Green is one of the key organizers behind Central Brooklyn's "Save Interfaith Coalition." The Coalition's work has resulted in a multi-hospital network in underserved communities self-transforming into worker and union cooperatives facilitating, regenerative institutions. Roger previously served in the NY State Assembly for over 25 years and was the campaign chair for Jesse Jackson's Presidential campaigns. He also has been a distinguished president at Medgar Evers college, part of the CUNY (City University of New York) system, and is a strong supporte

Daniel Weickenand, CEO of Orion Federal Credit Union is interviewed by Vernon Oakes. Vernon and Daniel discuss how Orion's commitment to community development has transformed communities, and the strategies he used to turn around distressed financial institutions. Under Weikenand's leadership, Orion has grown to become the largest credit union in west Tennessee with more than 72,000 members and nearly $1 billion in assets. Originally from Houston, Texas, Daniel has more than 25 years of credit union experience and demonstrated expertise in turning around distressed financial institutions. Since joining Orion in 2010, he has led the company's success through competitive products, state-of-the-art branch locations, and a significant commitment to community through support for local organizations including the Levitt Shell, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Shelby Farms Park, and many more. Orion was one of the first corporate partners to invest in developing the Memphis Edge District by relocating its headqu

Everything Co-op broadcast live from Capitol Hill, with attendees of the Eastern Conference for Workplace Democracy (ECWD). The conference was held in Baltimore, Maryland, October 18 - 20, 2019. Four attendees of the conference discuss their backgrounds in cooperatives, and what they hope to gain from participating in the conference. The ECWD, founded in 2002, is a conference that builds awareness of worker-owned businesses while strengthening existing worker co-ops. This three day conference in Baltimore will make space for connection, education, skill-building, and sharing, for worker-owners and allied leaders who work to improve the lives of workers and their families. The ECWD has been convened every two years in the Eastern United States, and was last hosted by Baltimore in 2011. This will be the first year that the program is organized directly by the US Federation of Worker Co-ops, this country's national grassroots membership organization for worker-owned cooperatives.

Ron Hantz, Board President of the Network for Developing Conscious Communities (NDCC), appears on Everything Co-op. Ron and Vernon discuss NDCC's upcoming 2019 Symposium: Racial Equitable Community Development, and how the Network uses cooperative principles to build economically sound and equitable communities. Hantz has more than 28 years of experience in the development of affordable housing. After careful reflection upon his many years of experience he said, "Our ultimate goal should be to learn how to replicate best practices, how to develop indigenous leadership and how to build collaborative community based partnerships. He further states, "In many urban communities and neighborhoods throughout America, we need to reexamine our approach and strategies to community development." The Network for Developing Conscious Communities was founded 2014 as a 501 © (3) non-profit community development membership organization. Through implementing principles of conscious community development, the organization

Councilmember Anita Bonds(CM Bonds), the At-Large Member of DC Council, discusses the Limited Equity Co-op Task Force, and other Affordable Housing Strategies on Everything Co-op. Vernon and CM Bonds discuss the Limited Equity Cooperative Task Force she established, and her view of how cooperatives can be used to address housing and other community concerns in the District of Columbia. Anita Bonds is an At-Large member of the Council of the District of Columbia, and is currently the Chairwoman of the Committee on Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization. In addition to creating and preserving affordable housing, CM Bonds has been vocal about the need to improve the District's public-school system, expand violence prevention initiatives, and promote the idea of "good government." CM Bonds is also deeply concerned about shielding senior citizens from physical abuse, financial abuse, and neglect; ensuring that they have the resources needed to age in place. In all, CM Bonds has authored, co-author

Members of NCBA CLUSA's Youth Empowerment Through Agriculture Group are Interviewed on Everything Co-op, at at its 2019 IMPACT Conference, Power in Purpose, Building the Next Economy. Everything Co-op was honored to serve as NCBA CLUSA's media partner for this year's IMPACT Conference. The IMPACT conference, is a premier opportunity to network with co-op developers, financiers, economists, government agencies, educational institutions and foundations all working to bring the co-op economy to scale. The four young leaders of tomorrow who were interviewed were quite impressive.

Greg Brodsky, Director of Start.coop discusses the Start dot Co-ops Accelerator Program for cooperatively owned businesses. Start.coop empowers entrepreneurs in building transformative, scalable, cooperatively owned businesses, and in creating viable, sustainable alternatives to economic consolidation. Brodsky is the Director of Start.coop, which is an accelerator for cooperatively owned businesses. Prior to assuming his current position, he founded the Bike Cooperative which is a purchasing group for bicycle stores; and co-founded the Independent Brewers Alliance, which is a purchasing group for craft brewers. Greg is also the current Board Chair at the Cooperative Development Institute.

Dr. Martin Lowery, Executive Vice President, Emeritus of National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) is interviewed on Everything Co-op. Vernon and Dr. Lowery discuss significant moments he has experienced as an advocate of cooperatives, and the work he is currently doing. He also chronicles many historical moments of the International Cooperative Alliance, NRECA, National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA International, and many other organizations. For more than three decades, Dr. Martin Lowery has been a forceful advocate for the cooperative business model. He is Executive Vice President, Emeritus, of the NRECA, and the immediate past chair of the National Cooperative Bank Board of Directors. Dr. Lowery was inducted into the Cooperative Hall of Fame in May 2014, the highest honor that the U.S. cooperative community bestows on individuals who have made heroic contributions to the cooperative movement. He is currently the elected U.S. representative to the board of the International Coop