We’re Hiring!

Applications have closed for this position.

About the position:

 Boston Center for Community Ownership is hiring a Co-op Organizer to provide hands-on business support to worker-owned cooperatives and other small businesses in our region.  We are looking for someone with language fluency and authentic cultural competencies relevant to the communities we serve, who has practical experience working in small businesses as an entrepreneur or in bookkeeping, financial management, or other managerial capacity.  This role is intended as a full time position, but we may consider part time applicants as well.  We are a Boston-based organization with headquarters in Dorchester, and are looking for candidates within commuting distance of our primary office.

BCCO is a worker self-directed non-profit co-op development center rooted in community organizing. Cooperative businesses are just like other small businesses, except they are owned and managed by the people that use them – usually the workers, customers, or some combination of the two. Cooperatives are part of the larger movement for social entrepreneurship and Solidarity Economy. 

We provide organizing support for startup co-ops and co-op conversions, as well as ongoing training and technical assistance for existing cooperatives. Our co-op organizers live in the communities we serve, and have extensive practical experience in cooperative and small business management. BCCO provides hands-on assistance including bookkeeping, financial management, financial projections, loan readiness, business plans, strategic planning, governance support, and board and membership training.  

There are always opportunities for growth and development because we invest in your skills based on inclinations and interest. We look forward to having you on the team!

Responsibilities:

  • Provide technical assistance to small businesses, which may include support for bookkeeping, financial management, sales, marketing, legal and tax requirements
  • Facilitate workshops on topics such as membership rights and responsibilities, co-op governance, and financial literacy using BCCO’s existing lesson plans
  • Work closely with lawyers and accountants to assist co-ops in creating their bylaws/operating agreements and preparing tax returns
  • Manage client projects, including: developing a scope of work, milestones, timeline and budget; moving the project along according to schedule; completing the project objectives and documenting processes and results
  • Represent BCCO in networks, coalitions, and organizations of which we are a member
  • Contribute to fundraising efforts by assisting with grant applications and small donor campaigns as needed
  • Maintain reliable transportation to travel to clients’ place of work, when needed. Most of our work is in or around Boston, but we occasionally work with clients in nearby states.  Travel is also required by air or train 2-3 times per year for training and conferences.

Requirements:

  • Fluent in Haitian Creole and English (we are also interested in speaking with candidates who speak Spanish, Vietnamese, Cape Verdean Creole, or other languages commonly spoken in the Boston area)
  • Experience working in small business as a bookkeeper, financial manager, or other management capacity, particularly in Black or POC-owned businesses
  • Experience with community organizing or social justice movements
  • Cultural competencies related to one or more of Boston’s Black and/or POC communities
  • Experience working in immigrant communities
  • Strong verbal communication skills; ability to break down complex business and financial topics so they are easily understood
  • Proficiency with spreadsheets, word processing software (MS Office, Google Drive)
  • Commitment to our values of respect and empowerment for low income workers and entrepreneurs
  • Eagerness to participate in training to develop additional skills in small business support and deepen your understanding of the cooperative model of doing business.
  • Passion for our mission of building a cooperative economy
  • Good judgment, ability to respond calmly and constructively to challenging situations

Other qualities that would strengthen your application:

  • Familiarity with various Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Point of Sale (POS) software options
  • Strong writing skills and enthusiasm for writing, experience writing marketing materials and/or grant applications
  • Experience and/or training as a meeting facilitator or mediator
  • Coursework in accounting or business topics, economic development, or public policy
  • Experience leading workshops or trainings
  • Experience working in cooperatives or other democratic organizations

This is an exempt position starting at 35 hours per week (full time), or part time as requested, paid on salary of $75,000, with paid time off for vacations, sick/personal, and holidays. To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to jobs@bcco.coop. 

This job was posted August 14, 2024 and will remain open until filled.  Anticipated start date is October 2024.

Winter Social January 31, 2022

Hello again, fellow co-operators, hope you all had a warm and wonderful holiday and are having a great 2023 so far! We, GBCC and USFWC Boston, would love to see you and any of your friends who are interested in co-ops at Democracy Brewing from 6:30-8:30 PM on Tuesday, January 31st for a social. We’re planning to provide appetizers and a drink ticket!


If you have any questions, please email greater.boston.coops@gmail.com

PLEASE USE THIS LINK TO RSVP

___________________

Hola de nuevo, compañeros cooperadores, ¡espero que todos hayan tenido unas cálidas y maravillosas vacaciones y que estén teniendo un gran 2023 hasta ahora! Nosotros, GBCC y USFWC Boston, nos encantaría verlos a ustedes y a cualquiera de sus amigos que estén interesados en cooperativas en Democracy Brewing de 6:30 p. m. a 8:30 p. m. el martes 31 de enero para una reunión social. ¡Estamos planeando proporcionar aperitivos y un boleto de bebida!

Si tiene alguna pregunta o idea sobre este evento, envíe un correo electrónico a greater.boston.coops@gmail.com

POR FAVOR UTILICE ESTE ENLACE PARA RSVP

Estamos contratando!

Boston Center for Community Ownership is hiring a Co-op Organizer to provide hands-on business support to worker-owned cooperatives and other small businesses in our region.  We are looking for someone with Spanish language fluency and authentic cultural competencies relevant to the communities we serve, who has practical experience working in small businesses as an entrepreneur or in a bookkeeping, financial management, or other managerial capacity.  This role is intended as a full time position, but we may consider part time applicants as well.  We are a Boston-based organization with headquarters in Dorchester, and are looking for candidates within commuting distance of our primary office.

BCCO is a worker self-directed non-profit co-op development center rooted in community organizing. Cooperative businesses are just like other small businesses, except they are owned by the people that use them – usually the workers, customers, or some combination of the two. Cooperatives are part of the larger movement for social entrepreneurship and Solidarity Economy. 

We provide organizing support in English and Spanish for startup co-ops and co-op conversions, as well as ongoing training and technical assistance for existing cooperatives. Our co-op organizers live in the communities we serve, and have extensive practical experience in cooperative and small business management. BCCO provides hands-on assistance including bookkeeping, financial management, financial projections, loan readiness, business plans, strategic planning, governance support, and board and membership training.  

Responsibilities:

  • Providing technical assistance to small businesses, including support for bookkeeping, financial management, sales, marketing, legal and tax requirements
  • Providing workshops, coaching, and technical assistance to co-ops related to decision making processes and the healthy functioning of boards of directors
  • Working closely with lawyers and accountants to assist co-ops in creating their bylaws and profit distribution procedures
  • Managing client projects, including: developing a scope of work, milestones, timeline and budget; moving the project along according to schedule; completing the project objectives and documenting processes and results
  • Representing BCCO in networks, coalitions, and organizations of which we are a member
  • Contributing to fundraising efforts by assisting with grant applications and small donor campaigns 
  • Travel to clients’ place of work, when needed.  Most of our work is in or around Boston, but we occasionally work with clients, or attend conferences, in other states.

Requirements:

  • Fluent in Spanish and English
  • Experience working in small business as a bookkeeper, financial manager, or other management capacity, particularly in Black or POC-owned businesses
  • Cultural competencies related to one or more of Boston’s Black and/or POC communities
  • Strong verbal communication skills; ability to break down complex business and financial topics so they are easily understood
  • Proficiency with spreadsheets, word processing software (MS Office, Google Drive)
  • Commitment to our values of respect and empowerment for low income workers and entrepreneurs
  • Eagerness to participate in training to develop additional skills in small business support and deepen your understanding of the cooperative model of doing business.
  • Passion for our mission of building a cooperative economy
  • Good judgment, ability to respond calmly and constructively to challenging situations

Other qualities that would strengthen your application:

  • Familiarity with various Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Point of Sale (POS) software options
  • Strong writing skills and enthusiasm for writing, experience writing marketing materials and/or grant applications
  • Experience with community organizing or social justice movements
  • Experience and/or training as a meeting facilitator or mediator
  • Coursework in accounting or business topics, economic development, or public policy
  • Experience leading workshops or trainings
  • Experience working in cooperatives or other democratic organizations

This is an exempt, salaried position starting at $65,000 (full time), or part time as requested, with paid time off for vacations, sick/personal, and holidays. To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to jobs@bcco.coop. 

This job was posted 11/14/2022 and will remain open until filled.

 

Co-op Cookout June 26, 2022

UPDATE: DIRECTIONS TO HOUGHTON’S POND:

We are using Picnic Area 5, which is on the West side of Houghton’s Pond, off Blue Hill River Rd.  
USE THIS LINK for GPS directions to the nearest parking lot.  

If this lot is full, try looking for spaces along Blue Hill River Rd along the South side of the pond. The road is marked with a sign that says “Houghton’s Pond – Picnic Sites and Ball Fields”.   These parking spaces are a 5-10 minute walk from our picnic site.

Tomorrow is expected to be a hot day, but the picnic site is in a cool, shady area under some lovely pine trees, next to the pond.  If you would like to swim, the swimming area is a 5-10 minute walk away from our picnic site, as are the nearest bathrooms. The picnic area has tables and benches, and we will have a grill and coolers for cold drinks, plus veggie and non-veggie options for the grill.  

See this map of Houghton’s Pond for more information.

Things you might want to bring: camp chairs, side dishes or stuff for the grill, bug spray, towels, swim suits, blankets for sitting on, and toys/games for kids.  These are only suggestions!  Nothing is required to attend, just yourself.

If you need help finding us, please call or text 617-446-3608.

Hello co-operators, it’s been a while since we’ve seen you! Please join us (GBCC and USFWC Boston) at Houghton’s Pond from 11-3PM on Sunday, June 26th for a cookout! In addition to providing some basics (drinks, chips, and the usual bbq items – burgers/dogs/buns), we’re planning to make this a fully bilingual event, so we’d appreciate it if you could answer a few questions to help us adequately prepare

PLEASE USE THIS LINK TO RSVP FOR THE COOKOUT.

If you have any questions or thoughts about this event that aren’t covered by the form, please email greater.boston.coops@gmail.com or boston@usworker.coop.

Saludos cooperativistas, ¡hace tiempo que no nos vemos! Les invitamos a un convivio, únase con (GBCC y USFWC Boston) en Houghton’s Pond de las 11 de la mañana a 3 de la tarde el domingo 26 de junio para un asado. Además de brindar alimentos básicos (bebidas, chips, y lo común de una barbacoa – hamburguesas/hot dogs/pan), este evento será totalmente bilingüe, por lo que le agradeceríamos si pudiera contestar algunas preguntas para ayudarnos a prepararnos mejor.

POR FAVOR UTILICE ESTE ENLACE PARA RSVP PARA EL ASADO.

Si tiene alguna pregunta o idea sobre este evento que no está incluido en el formulario, por favor envíe un correo electrónico a greater.boston.coops@gmail.com o boston@usworker.coop.

Apply Now for Green Infrastructure Co-op

Click here to apply

Boston Center for Community ownership is partnering with Codman Square NDC, with support from the City of Boston, to launch a new worker-owned cooperative, designed to provide opportunities for immigrant workers. The program will build on CSNDC’s training program in Green Infrastructure – an emerging field of work that aims to divert storm water away from municipal sewers and into the soil. The benefits include reduced pressure on sewer systems, and a cooler and greener urban environment. More firms will be needed to do this work in future years, as cities and towns work to reduce their carbon emissions, while mitigating the effects of climate change.

Participants in the program will first complete CSNDC’s Green Infrastructure Course for three weeks in October (Oct. 12-30). The second part is 16 weeks (Nov. 8 – Mar. 6) of co-op work and study to create a business plan and bylaws for a new co-op. Those who complete both parts and are confirmed as members of the co-op will receive a minimum of $2,000 to invest in the co-op as their membership share. Co-op members are the legal owners of their businesses, and participate in democratic decision making on the principle of one-person-one-vote. They also share in any profits generated by the company.

To be eligible for this free program, participants must be Boston residents who self identify as immigrants (or adult children of immigrants), and have enough English skills to communicate effectively in a work situation. Participants will be asked to show a bill in their name, received by mail to a Boston address, or a self-attestation to Boston residence.

The training will be begin online via Zoom, and may change to an in-person format if COVID restrictions allow unmasked gatherings indoors.

To apply for the program, please follow this link to fill out the application form. Applications will be accepted until October 8, 2021.

Upcoming workshops on cooperative business

The City of Boston has launched a Worker Cooperative Initiative in concert with Mayor Walsh’s efforts to expand support for small businesses and entrepreneurs, and create opportunities for economic mobility for every Bostonian.

You will learn about selling businesses to employees, different types of employee ownership, and improving business by engaging workers from the Local Enterprise Assistance Fund (LEAF), Boston Center for Community Ownership, and the ICA Group.

This event is presented by Mayor Martin J. Walsh, the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development, the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, Women Entrepreneurs Boston, and the Roxbury Innovation Center.

Information on May 31 Workshop here!

Information on June 22 Workshop here!

Boston City Council Hearing on Cooperatives

We’re very excited that the City of Boston, from the Mayor’s office to the City Council, is getting fired up about cooperatives.  Today is the City Council’s hearing on co-ops, and we will be there giving testimony on the economic impact of cooperatives to our city.  If you’d like to read more, check out our new resource, The Case for Cooperatives as a Local Economic Development Strategy.  It has links to all the most recent research from the US and abroad.

Worker-Owned Cooperatives Are Larger Than Conventional Firms

In “What Do We Really Know About Worker Co-operatives?“, Virginie Pérotin writes,

“Perhaps the most common received idea about worker co-operatives is that they must be small. It is often thought worker co-operatives must be financially constrained, and a small size is sometimes regarded as a condition for workplace democracy to function… People will also commonly remark that very large worker co-operatives are extremely rare…. What is not widely understood is that most firms actually are very small.” (p.6)

Pérotin cites research studies from Italy, the US, Spain, France, and Uruguay, which all indicate that, on the whole, worker-owned cooperatives tend to be slightly larger than conventional firms (p. 6-9).

In the US, the best estimate of the size distribution of cooperatives comes from the Democracy at Work Institute (DAWI) . Their 2013 survey of US worker-owned cooperatives shows a size distribution consistent with Pérotin’s research: on the whole, US worker co-ops seem to be somewhat larger than other firms:

Percent of firms by size class 2013
Source Data: 2013 DAWI survey of cooperatives (n=117); US Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Business Employment Dynamics Data by Firm Size Class, Table G. Distribution of private sector firms by size class

Now, by definition, a worker cooperative has three or more employees.  Any fewer, and the business would be considered a partnership or sole proprietorship.  Since the US economy, like most economies, is dominated by small firms, especially sole proprietors with no employees, perhaps we should exclude the smallest firms from our analysis, to see what happens when we take away both the smallest co-ops and the smallest conventional firms:

Percent of firms by size class 2013 excluding under 10 employees
Source Data: 2013 DAWI survey of cooperatives (n=117); US Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Business Employment Dynamics Data by Firm Size Class, Table G. Distribution of private sector firms by size class

Excluding firms with 10 or fewer employees, the distribution of businesses by size looks very similar, whether the business is a worker co-op or conventional firm.  DAWI’s sample size of 117 firms is quite small, of course, although it is an impressively large sample, considering that there were only 256 worker co-ops in the US at the time of this survey, according to their analysis.

While this quick analysis doesn’t constitute the same type of rigorous academic research cited by Pérotin, it also doesn’t contradict the finding that, in the US and worldwide, worker cooperatives are by no means smaller firms than conventional businesses – if anything the data suggest they may consistently be larger.

References:

Pérotin, Virginie “What Do We Really Know About Worker Co-operatives?”
http://www.uk.coop/sites/default/files/uploads/attachments/worker_co-op_report.pdf

Democracy at Work Institute, “US Worker Cooperatives: A State of the Sector”
http://institute.coop/sites/default/files/resources/State_of_the_sector_0.pdf

US Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Business Employment Dynamics Data by Firm Size Class, Table G. Distribution of private sector firms by size class
http://www.bls.gov/web/cewbd/table_g.txt