If the 18th century can be defined as the age of industrialization and competitive advantage of the nation state, the 19th century by the power of the corporation, and the 20th by corporate financialization, then, I believe, the 21st century will be defined by ownership.
From Candidate to Member: How Co-ops Can Onboard New People Without Losing Their Balance
🕒 3-Minute Read
A candidate period isn’t just a formality—it’s a powerful way to make sure new members are ready for the responsibilities of ownership, and that your co-op is ready for them.
In this article, Jacqueline Radebaugh explains how co-ops can structure this process, what rights candidates should (and shouldn’t) have, and share a visual flowchart to guide the journey.
PRESS RELEASE: Jason Wiener | p.c. Celebrates Becoming a Woman-Owned Law Firm
DENVER, CO – August 11th, 2025 – Jason Wiener | p.c. proudly celebrates its certifications as Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) and Women’s Business Enterprise (WBCEN WBE) under the leadership of Managing Partner Jacqueline Radebaugh, who acquired a majority stake in the firm in September 2024. This significant milestone, achieved nearly one year after the ownership …
COOP OF THE MONTH – JULY 2025
CoLab Cooperative is a worker-owned tech co-op that builds complex websites and custom applications for mission-driven organizations. Founded on principles of equity, collaboration, and purpose, CoLab operates without managers, values consensus decision-making, and prioritizes work-life balance and ethical client partnerships. With members across five continents, they combine senior-level tech expertise with a deep commitment to social and environmental impact—helping build a better world by empowering those working for justice and sustainability.
Cooperative State Statutes
What kinds of cooperatives can legally form in your state? In this timely overview, Linda Phillips breaks down the patchwork of cooperative statutes across the U.S., from agriculture-only laws to flexible frameworks like the ULCAA. With examples from Colorado and Guam, she illustrates how communities are navigating legal pathways to support diverse cooperative models.
Organizational and Legal Oversights; Legal Audits
During some recent engagements with new clients, we discovered they were missing key pieces of legal infrastructure or overlooking certain registration requirements. Because situations like this aren’t uncommon among small businesses, particularly when resources are low and growth is fast, we thought it was an important subject to discuss with all of our readers. So …
COOP OF THE MONTH – JUNE 2025
Rust Belt Riders and Tilth Soil are transforming food waste into rich, regenerative compost while empowering workers and communities in Northeast Ohio. With a mission to "Feed People, Not Landfills," this worker-owned cooperative blends environmental impact with innovation—think compost-heated hot tubs and top-rated soil blends. It’s a model where sustainability, soil health, and community ownership come together to build a better world.
Why Great Legal Work Starts with Great Communication
In my role, I think a lot about how to improve our client services and client experience. This post is about how communication plays a role in that. Recently, I worked with a long-standing client to update their suite of legal templates: a contractor MSA, SoW, NDA, and MNDA. The request came with a clear …
Tejiendo Futuros: Mujeres Mayas, Cooperativas y el Espíritu de San Juan La Laguna
En las tierras altas de Guatemala, las cooperativas dirigidas por mujeres en San Juan La Laguna están tejiendo algo más que textiles: están construyendo futuros. Arraigadas en la tradición maya y el cuidado mutuo, estas colectivas empoderan a mujeres indígenas para preservar la cultura, fortalecer economías solidarias y liderar con sabiduría ancestral. Lee más en el blog más reciente de Gabriela Arce.
Weaving Futures: Mayan Women, Cooperatives, and the Spirit of San Juan La Laguna
In the highlands of Guatemala, women-led cooperatives in San Juan La Laguna are weaving more than textiles—they’re crafting futures. Rooted in Mayan tradition and mutual care, these collectives empower Indigenous women to preserve culture, build solidarity economies, and lead with ancestral wisdom. Read more in Gabriela Arce’s latest blog.
Why Business Entities Must Register to Do Business in Other States—And Why It’s Trickier for LCAs and Cooperatives
If your cooperative or limited cooperative association (LCA) is transacting business outside its state of formation, it likely needs to register as a “foreign entity” in that other state. While this is a standard requirement for LLCs and corporations, LCAs and cooperatives face additional complexities due to the varied and often unfamiliar cooperative statutes …