The Anti-Racism Movement in Public Schools

By and |September 28th, 2020|

Now more than ever communities are aware that racism is an issue that needs to be addressed. In this conversation, Columinate Consultant Darin Short speaks with Columinate's own Amaha Sellasie and Amaha's fellow professor and colleague Christa Agiro.

Virtual Annual Meetings Field Guide

By |July 23rd, 2020|

In the wake of the pandemic, the customary way of doing many things has been upended.  For co-ops, the list of adaptations extends to how we engage with members, including our approach to the time-honored (and legally required) tradition of the annual meeting.

Amplifying Co-Op Values and Meeting Customers’ Needs with Cooperative Wines

By |July 21st, 2020|

Baked into the being of every co-op are the Seven Cooperative Principles. These are ideals and actionables. Democracy, community, learning, and economic justice form our decisions as cooperators. Independence too is central to what roots these enterprises, yet shared interest in building an economy beneficial to all is central to measuring success. Your wine department is a place where you can honor this principle.

The Need for Intercultural Dialogue Facilitation

By |June 4th, 2020|

As the country rises in protest around the issue of police brutality and violence against black people in America, the need to have constructive conversations and effective dialogues with those who have differing viewpoints has never been stronger.

Virtual CBL 101 Resource Guide

By |May 22nd, 2020|

Download the CBL 101 Reader History, Principles, and Values “Cooperative Principles Updated,” by Ann Hoyt, available on p. 14 in the Reader. “Rochdale Pioneers and the Cooperative [...]

Keeping it Fresh

By |May 18th, 2020|

If you are like most Americans, your shopping patterns - as well as your customers’ habits - have changed drastically in the past several weeks. More people are buying fresh produce to stay healthy, and for good reason: a diet that includes lots of fresh organic produce is a great way to keep your immune systems strong in these uncertain times.

Articulating your Co-op’s Value during a Pandemic — and Beyond

By and |May 14th, 2020|

So much is changing so quickly right now, and our co-ops are uniquely positioned to serve our owners and community today, and be practical alternatives to 'business -as-usual' in the future. We don't have a crystal ball to see that future, but we can discuss together how our co-ops can have a larger role and how we can talk about our co-ops as important parts of a better society.

Financial Planning During a Pandemic

By |May 1st, 2020|

Financial health is the backbone of a successful co-op. Like every other part, it’s twisting and turning during the current pandemic. “Things are changing really fast,” says feasibility and project development consultant Don Moffitt. “I’m not sure that anybody knows exactly what they need to be doing right now.”