Center for Co-operatives & CED

The Center for Co-operatives and CED brings together the traditions of community building and community development.  These two traditions have effectively sought to bring about positive change in the condition of marginalized groups both in the US and abroad.  The vision of the center is to bring about positive change in the economic, social and/or political condition of marginalized individuals, groups and communities. The center seeks to promote fair access to and co-ownership of the center’s knowledge and partnership based “products and services”. 

Webinar #1
“Cooperatives in Periods of Economic Crisis”
Presenter: Paul Hazen, President, National Cooperative Business Association

What lessons can we learn from how co-operatives have helped people to weather tough times in the past?  Paul Hazen will overview the history of how people have used co-ops in recessionary times.  He will also discuss how co-ops in the U.S. and  abroad are managing during the current economic crisis. Download webinar #1. (right-click, save as)
 
Webinar #2
“Preserving Main Streets through Cooperatives”
Presenter: Howard Brodsky, Cofounder & co-CEO, CCA Global Partners

Small family owned businesses can and do compete with the big box stores.  Howard Brodsky will speak about the shared services cooperative model and how it has enabled thousands of small business owners to successfully compete against the big box stores such as Home Depot and Walmart. Download webinar #2. (right-click, save as)

Webinar #3
“How are Credit Unions Performing in the Current Banking Crisis”
Moderator: Jessica Gordon Nembhard, Associate Professor, John Jay College
Panelist: Cliff Rosenthal, President & CEO, National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions
Panelist: Ron Covey, President & CEO, St. Mary’s Bank Credit Union
Panelist: Daniel Egan, President of the MA, NH and RI Credit Union Leagues

This session will be a panel discussion about how credit unions and community development credit unions are doing in this period of bank foreclosures and bailouts.  The panelists will address how credit unions are working with their members to not only survive the current economic downturn but also to build assets for themselves and their families.  The panelists will talk about how they are working with low income residents to access banking services and to build savings for themselves. View webinar #3

Webinar #4
“Housing Co-ops in a Time of Foreclosures”
Presenter: Terry Lewis, Esq. of LIA Associates; Chair, Cooperative Development Foundation

"Co-operatives and Public Policy"
Presenter: John Holdsclaw: Director of Policy Development, NCB Capital Impact.

Housing co-ops have not experienced the same foreclosure rates as home ownership.  They are a great model for providing home ownership to people in all income brackets and stages of life.  Terry Lewis will discuss how housing co-ops are the right model for moving foreclosed homes back into stable home ownership. View webinar #4.