Choose your own Future

Currently, cooperatives are facing uncertainty as all of us are in this new reality. We are focusing on our commitment to a brighter future. Cooperatives are full of imagined possibilities and real solutions to problems of the present and the future. This year we will bring together cooperators to bring to life the future we want to see.

The artwork for NASCO Institute 2020: Choose Your Own Future was created by Nia. See the full artwork and learn more about Nia here.

Who are we?

Since 1968, North American Students of Cooperation (NASCO) has been working with housing co-ops, students, worker-owners, activists, and community members who are interested in applying cooperative principles to meet their needs and fulfill their missions. We are the network that facilitates mutual aid and support amongst co-ops.

Online Conference

This year Institute will be held virtually. Due to the unsafe travel conditions and limitations on in-person meetings that we anticipate this fall. As an online space, we will be offering workshops and informal networking spaces for co-ops to connect as you would in the halls or over meals at Institute regularly. NASCO Institute this year also has lower registration and we want to encourage co-ops everywhere to consider sending a representative. Travel is no longer a barrier and together we will learn a lot! We look forward to meeting you online! Registration opens September 1st.

Testimonials

“We found the conference to be very beneficial for our small community-based co-op, especially from a financial perspective. We learned so much about strategies for being a smaller worker co-op, with a focus on membership and trust-building.”

“I can't put into words how valuable the educational experience is at NASCO Institute. You get to learn about things that you know you want to know for your co-op and then there are other, newer ideas presented to you. And the networking is priceless.”

“NASCO Institute gave me skills and concrete actions plans for anti-oppression work in my own community, as well as ideas/skills/contacts for creating new worker-owned co-ops and housing co-ops."