Vernon, Kevin and Matthew talked about the“There’s A Co-Op For That!” mug, and delved into the workings of the worker-owned Union Co-op Model. The custom mug is available online at the swag shop created by the Northwest Cooperative Development Center.

NWCDC fosters community economic development primarily through the cooperative business model and serves the Pacific Northwest region of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington (and historically Alaska and Hawai’i).

About the Holiday Gift List

Everything Co-op’s holiday list is a thoughtfully curated list of products and services from the cooperative community. It’s centered around five categories that mirror Vernon’s interests – Heart, Mind, Body, Soul, and Community. These categories embrace a wide variety of selections that reflect the cooperative ethos of mutual support, sustainability, and community welfare.

Who is Vernon Oakes?

He’s the consummate advocate for cooperatives. He is a Past President of the National Association of Housing Cooperatives, and he’s served on several boards and committees to advance the interests of cooperatives. Vernon holds an MBA from Stanford University, and has used his business acumen to promote the value of the cooperative business model.