Yolo Eco-Clean Cooperative will kick-off the opening of its residential and commercial cleaning services in Woodland with a Thursday event from 5 to 7 p.m. at the offices of Empower Yolo, 175 Walnut Avenue. <\/p>\n
The new local business is a project of two local nonprofits, the California Center for Cooperative Development and Empower Yolo, who partnered in developing a worker co-op to create jobs and cooperative ownership opportunities for underserved residents in Yolo County, according to E. Kim Coontz, executive director of the California Center for Cooperative Development <\/p>\n
Yolo Eco-Clean Cooperative (YECCpronounced yes) was formed using the build and recruit model of cooperative development. In this model, pre-development and early launch decisions are made by a steering committee and a temporary board composed of six community members from Yolo County. <\/p>\n
Barbara Price, who resides in Woodland, is a member of the community board and volunteers her time and expertise through the development and launch process, stated Coontz. Barbara and the other five team of volunteers work with nonprofit staff to shepherd the business while initial member candidates go through the membership process. <\/p>\n
Before submitting an application to work with the co-op, prospective members complete four workshops that focus on worker cooperatives: Co-ops 101, Governance and Decision-Making, Understanding Finances and Bylaws of Yolo Eco-Clean Cooperative. Classes are conducted in Spanish and English. Following an interview, individuals begin paid work as member candidates which includes ongoing training in green cleaning. <\/p>\n
Member candidates must work for the cooperative for six months before they are eligible for membership. Community volunteers will relinquish their role as temporary board member as worker members complete their candidacy. <\/p>\n
The co-op has five member candidates who are excited to launch their business in Woodland. Nonprofit assistance, including a cooperative facilitator will continue through the first 18 months of the business to help the cooperative grow and offer membership benefits to more people. <\/p>\n
The benefits of working at Yolo Eco-Clean Cooperative are multifaceted, Coontz explained. Wages are better than comparable jobs, and members share in the profits. But there are other benefits as well. Workers are engaged in deciding their work schedule, how work is organized and all aspects of decision-making. They have opportunities to try on new hats as they engage in business strategy, public relations, accounting, marketing and leadership. Co-op members experience economic and personal empowerment that can benefit their entire family. <\/p>\n
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Members of the community are invited to attend YECCs grand opening. <\/p>\n
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Green-cleaning business develops worker co-op - Daily Democrat<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Yolo Eco-Clean Cooperative will kick-off the opening of its residential and commercial cleaning services in Woodland with a Thursday event from 5 to 7 p.m. at the offices of Empower Yolo, 175 Walnut Avenue. The new local business is a project of two local nonprofits, the California Center for Cooperative Development and Empower Yolo, who partnered in developing a worker co-op to create jobs and cooperative ownership opportunities for underserved residents in Yolo County, according to E. Continue reading