From cb90545f8e49c04b8320a76043b62215fd02371a Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: tjhintz Date: Mon, 22 Sep 2025 16:56:55 +0000 Subject: [PATCH] Adding co-op details --- co-op.org | 184 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 184 insertions(+) create mode 100644 co-op.org diff --git a/co-op.org b/co-op.org new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e973abd --- /dev/null +++ b/co-op.org @@ -0,0 +1,184 @@ +* Background + +Many software opportunites today are focused on building companies or +products focused on short-term stock-market gains or raising venture +funding rounds. This, along with other factors, has lead to precarious +employment opportunities focused on a person's existing skills, with +little-to-no emphasis on long term stability and individual growth, +and long hours and stressful working conditions. + +I desire to work somewhere that focuses more on providing a +high-quality, stable environment where everyone is able to learn and +grow and earn an income over the long term. I would also like to work +somewhere that emphasizes collaboration over command-and-control +structures. + +My ideal workplace would be one where, eventually, members only need +to work 3-4 days per week and are able to earn a living wage with a +stable income over many years and where responsibilities are shared +across all members equally. This would be somewhere that people learn +and grow and strives to create a more equal workplace without +discrimination. + +I have worked at many different companies and held many different +positions over the years and based on that experience, and the people +I have worked with along the way, I am convinced that this vision is +possible. Individually, I have experience in all of skills needed for +building companies, products, and managing teams, which also gives me +confidence in this vision and also inspires me to share what I have +learned with others. + +The realization of this goal is to create a worker owned software +product cooperative. What follows are my working ideas on how this +cooperative would be built and function, although I plan to get as +much feedback on these ideas as possible from potential members! + +* Structure + +- Worker control: 1 worker = 1 vote + + This means that every member of the co-op has equal say in the major + decisions affecting the co-op. There can be no "bosses" except those + voted for by the members themselves (who can then also be removed by + those members). This also means that regardless of how much capital + a member invests, they will have equal say to all other members. + +** Decision Making + +I envision all major decisions being made by consensus of all members, +falling back to majority vote only if absolutely needed. The goal +would be create an environment in which all members are empowered to +have equal control over their own working environment and the future +outcomes of the co-op. + +** Capital Investments + +The co-op may opt to correlate end-of-year profits to amount of +capital investment. The idea is that all members get paid a +living-wage and provided good benefits via standard W2 employment, but +any additional money beyond that required to pay its member's salaries +and run the operations of the company, and that is not elected to be +re-invested back into the company, would be distributed back to +members on an annual basis based on their capital +investments. Effectively, this means that early co-op members, or +members that invest more direct capital, would be eligible to receive +a larger proportion of any potential profits under the assumption that +they may have take on more risk. + +** Formation + +The legal vehicle by which the co-op operates is yet to be +determined. Likely a lawyer will need to be consulted before any +decision is made. Possible options: + +- California provides a legal framework for creating, running, and + operating worker-owned co-operatives. + + This appears to be a decent option with many advantages including it + is very cost-effective both in terms of corporate fees and tax-pass + through schemes. The likely big downside is that few companies use + this structure so the legal environment is less defined. This may + not matter if outside investment is never considered/desired. + + More resources [[https://cccd.coop/co-op-info/co-op-types/worker-co-ops][here]] + +- Standard Delaware Corp or LLC + + It sounds like some co-ops have been able to form under more + standard business vehicles. This would provide the advantage of a + much more developed legal framework and services but may not provide + the same level of protections for members as a legal regime created + specifically for co-ops. + +** Positions + +Ideally, members can freely rotate between skilled, unskilled, +professional, administrative, and managerial roles as desired. My +experience is that siloing individuals into very specific roles often +leads to unequal work environments as people are not able to gain the +experience they need to make good decisions in all areas and people +can then use their knowledge over people. One option would be to have +a program that helps all members spend some amount of their time +involved in all roles at some point, not just solely focused on their +primary skill. + +** Membership + +As per existing corporation and co-op law: membership would be +accomplished by buying at least one share in the company. The cost of +a share would be set by the members. A member could buy more than one +share but that does not entitle them to any benefits outside of +potential extra profit earnings. When a member leaves the company, the +company must reimburse the member for all of the shares they +own. Shares therefore act as a means of documenting ownership and as a +vehicle for members to invest capital into the company. + +What should the process be for accepting new members? I think a good +starting place would be to initially hire people "on probation" for a +set period of time, maybe 6 months. After the probationary period, the +members can vote on whether or not to extend a membership +offer. During the probationary period the person would not be eligible +to vote with the members but they may be allowed to participate in +discussions around decisions made by members. + +* Workplace + +My preference would be a "remote-first/virtual" workplace with at +least two in-person meetups per year. A good starting place may be to +look at how GitLab organizes their "transparent", "remote-first" +workplace in their public [[https://handbook.gitlab.com/handbook/][handbook]], specifically their [[https://handbook.gitlab.com/handbook/teamops/][teamops]] +section. + +* Product + +I strongly believe in the value of all people and in this context that +includes the co-ops members but also potential users and customers. I +would want the co-op to always choose to empower its users vs attempt +to exploit them. This likely means things like: + +- providing high-quality and easy data export options to prevent + vendor lock-in + +- providing program source to customers (likely under an AGPL license) + +* General Goals + +- worker control: 1 worker = 1 vote +- long-term, stable sustainable job's for members + - prioritize less work hours over growth/profit +- voluntary and open membership + - no discrimination including: + - gender + - social + - sexuality + - racial + - political + - religious +- provide a safe and inclusive work environment + - members must feel safe to make mistakes and voice different + opinions + + - communication should be direct and specific + - expectations must be explicitly communicated + - boundaries must be listened to and respected + - members must not speak to or cooperate with law enforcement +- provide opportunities for members to learn and grow +- remain independent and autonomous + - outside capital, if any, may not have control +- cooperate with other cooperatives +- concern for community + - actively engage with local communities + - actively manage environmental impacts + - seek out, involve, and learn from diverse groups + +** Bylaws + +- Impactful decisions and bylaws can only be made by a vote of all + members (consensus) + +- Hiring and firing of a member can only be made by a consensus vote + of all members + +- The co-op and its members may not enter into any agreements that + would cause the change of worker control +