What is a co-operative?

Across the world, all co-operatives are guided by 7 voluntary, universal co-operative principles.

These are central to a co-operatives’ DNA and help decision makers in a co-op accomplish dual, financial and social goals:

Voluntary and Open Membership – Everyone is Welcome!
Democratic Member Control – Members elect Board of Directors
Member Economic Participation – Each member owns the business
Autonomy and Independence – No corporate control
Education, Training and Information – Share, learn and grow
Co-operation among Co-operatives – Together we achieve more
Concern for Community – Building strong communities

Co-operative FAQ

FAQ

What are the benefits of a co-op?

Democratic Economic Autonomy.
Members are co-owners.
We make sure artists and community members are treated fairly and with respect.
Currently EvMC offers members the opportunity to help build a revolutionary music culture and community.
Inquire about work opportunities, volunteer (timebanking equity).
Once the co-op is more established, EvMC can obtain group insurance rates,
and explore best dental/health benefits plans for working members.

What are member owners?

You contribute to shaping and growing your co-op, are part of the governance, are kept informed about details.

Do we accept emerging artists?

Yes! We accept applications from music, arts and media creators.

Send us your portfolio and we will get back to you to talk about possibilities.

WHAT IS TIME BANKING?

Time Banking is a method by which EvMC Artist and Community Members can barter their time and skills, goods and services, such as: use of equipment or recording time, a producer can barter with a singer, a singer with a coach…a photographer with an artist, a videographer with an actor…a venue with a band…etc

There are many ways to trade and create together as a co-operative!

Wages/dividends/bartering for EvMC members are paid from a revenue/investment stream based on work-time equity (current standard rate $20/hour). For example, a member who works 10 hours helping the co-op get started or supporting an event, etc. can receive $200 in services, or in payments, as revenue/surplus grows. As the timebank grows, the variety of services will be able to expand beyond arts; haircuts, cooking, garden help etc, and members can trade in other timebanks as well.

When you are approved as a member, you will receive a Welcome Package that provides access to our easy-to-use online time banking platform. We provide support for creating your profile and getting started with training resources.

HOW DOES EVMC USE TIME BANKING?

Time Banking is a method by which EvMC Artist and Community Members can measure their activity,

pay for their membership fees, as well as keep track of, contribute and trade their time and skills, goods and services with each other.

There are many ways to trade and create together as a co-operative!

This can look like:

trading use of equipment or recording time
a producer can trade time credits with a singer
a singer can pay for vocal coaching with time credits
a photographer can trade with an artist
a videographer can trade with an actor
a venue can trade with a band

EvMC members are paid from a revenue/investment stream based on work-time equity (current standard rate $20/hour).

For example, a member who works 10 hours helping the co-op get started or supporting an event, etc.

can receive $200 in services, or as dividend payments, as revenue/surplus grows.

As the timebank grows, the variety of services will be able to expand beyond arts; haircuts, cooking, garden help etc,

and members can trade in other timebanks as well.

When you are approved as a member, you will receive access to our easy-to-use online time banking platform with HourWorld.org.

We provide support for creating your profile and getting started with training resources.

Want to learn more? Watch the videos below about Time Banking

Example 1 (2 mins)
Example 2 (4 mins)
Example 3 “In 2009, a frustrated group of friends in Helsinki were watching another international climate change summit fail. They wondered what they could do themselves to change the economy. The result, after much planning, was a neighborhood “credit exchange” in which participants agree to exchange services with each other, from language translations and swimming lessons to gardening and editing. Give an hour of your expertise to a neighbor; get an hour of someone else’s talents. The Helsinki Timebank, as it was later called, has grown into a robust parallel economy of more than 3,000 members. With exchanges of tens of thousands of hours of services, it has become a socially convivial alternative to the market economy, and part of a large international network of timebanks.”