ENVISION THIS: Participating in an economy where the game is Co-opoly not Monopoly

There really is such a game! Our guest, Taliesin Nyala of the worker-owned cooperative, Toolbox for Education and Social Action (TESA). will introduce us to CO-OPOLY, The Game of Cooperatives, a fun and interactive way for participants to learn what it’s like to be part of a co-op.

TESA's mission is “making all aspects of our lives more democratic. As educators, we have seen that this fundamental social change begins with how we learn, so the resources and tools we develop are participatory in nature. This means that no matter what issues they address, they are rooted in pedagogical principles that work with the skills, knowledge, and creativity of the people using them. TESA strives to ensure its resources focus on real-world applications that are relevant to the interests and needs of the learners, and can help them better shape their communities.”

Ally Sterling, a teacher at the Hampshire Education Collaborative says, “Learning how to play Co-opoly was not only educational, it was also engaging and enjoyable. My understanding of the cooperative mission became much clearer through this innovative game. I found that Co-opoly functioned as a microcosm of democracy. During the game, all the players were encouraged to make decisions together and come to a consensus on multiple levels, professionally and personally. This kind of holistic perspective brought a sense of community to the table that was supported by our own hard work and creative thinking. I think Co-opoly is and will continue to be a powerful tool for the cooperative movement.”