FYI: per a previous thread, I got some information on the topic of transitioning to employee ownership for those that are interested.  The plan is pretty thorough, but it is a draft, and it's not a cooperative really.  

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Brahm Ahmadi <brahm@peoplescommunitymarket.com>
Date: Thu, Feb 6, 2014 at 9:26 AM
Subject: Re: Buy Shares page error
To: Julio Rios <julio.rios@gmail.com>


Hi Julio-

Our plan is to become an ESOP - Employee Stock Ownership Plan. We've been working with the National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO) to develop a multi-stage process for becoming an ESOP and engendering an employee culture of training and engagement in running the business. The current draft of our plan is attached.

An ESOP is not a cooperative. ESOPs typically have a management structure and a board of directors that make a majority of operational decisions. Cooperatives typically run on a one-member, one-vote structure in which business decisions are made by everyone.

Most ESOPs are the result of a conversion, typically when the founder wants to exit from the business. You can get more information about ESOPs at this link on NCEO's website: https://www.nceo.org/articles/employee-ownership-esop-united-states.

Full disclosure: NCEO is an investor in our business.

Thanks

Brahm
Brahm Ahmadi
CEO/President
People's Community Market

O: 510.995.7498
brahm@peoplescommunitymarket.com
www.peoplescommunitymarket.com
Twitter: @PeoplesMrkt