Comments on: Moving A Mountain

By: David Smathers Moore

David Smathers Moore — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 04:07:12 +0000

Bravo! Keep ‘em coming, John. (I think I mistakenly posted my comment to the Zero Energy Homes entry, which of course, bravo for that too but I meant to be responding to your first post. I’ve never been a blog reader, but now I have one to subscribe to!) Among other things, loved the Belgian Congo quote!

By: jabrams

jabrams — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 10:16:48 +0000

Thanks Julie. I’d like to hear more about what you’re doing in Orlando. I’m excited about the Community Supported Enterprise concept, which has emerged as a broader form of the widespread Community Supported Agriculture movement. An early and wonderful example is the purchase, in 1995, of the Mad River Glen Ski Area in Waitsfield Vermont. As this crusty old throwback mountain faced financial difficulties and other ski areas were facing consolidation and homogenization, the skiers who loved Mad River – several thousand of them – formed a co-op and bought the ski area. It has been a great success. In future posts I’ll talk about a similar effort that is taking shape here on the Vineyard.

By: jabrams

jabrams — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 10:03:14 +0000

Thanks for your support, Anne, and your advice. I was advised that my posts should be short, and I stubbornly resisted on this first one. In the future they will be far more brief; it is a bit daunting to begin this flow; it’s starting to feel like a swift river already!!

By: jabrams

jabrams — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 10:00:22 +0000

You raise an important issue, Will. There are many insecurities associated with transitions to employee ownership, on the part of both owners and employees. From the employee side, there are often concerns that they may be sold damaged goods, or that the owner is just looking for an exit strategy that may leave them high and dry. In many cases it is – legitimately – an exit strategy, and an especially good one, but it requires long-term future planning and an open, gradual educational process that empowers and prepares the employees to take the reins. A great way to start the process is to have someone who has actually done this – and has broad experience with others who have – speak to a gathering of the employees and talk about the benefits, the difficulties, and the components of a process that will lead to a seamless and successful transition.

By: jabrams

jabrams — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 09:52:15 +0000

Thanks Rodney. The US Federation of Worker Co-ops has done a wonderful job, and I have added them as requested.