Friday, November 6

7:15 pm -Reception

7:45 - 8:45 pm - Hall of Fame Inductions

The Hall of Fame gives NASCO co-ops a forum to recognize individuals who have shown an outstanding commitment to the cooperative movement through their hard work and tireless enthusiasm for cooperation. Every year inductees to the Hall of Fame are formally honored at this memorable and lively ceremony, which gives us all the opportunity to witness our history in the making.

NASCO is pleased to announce the selection of three outstanding cooperators for induction to the NASCO Hall of Fame.  They are:

A.E. Dreyfuss.  In 1971, A.E. Dreyfuss organized a series of five regional conferences, sponsored by the United States Youth Council and NASCO, culminating in a massive bi-national conference in Toronto with 600 participants.  These conferences brought together cooperative leaders from around the U.S. and Canada and led directly to the formation of NASCO's first board of directors and all that came after.  Dreyfuss also edited the seminal book on youth cooperatives, City Villages, published by New Press in 1971.

Michael Gregor.  Michael Gregor founded Kalamazoo Collective Housing in 2006 in a large rented home.  Shortly after, KCH expanded to a two house system with the help of NASCO Properties, and is now exploring options for further growth.  Michael's creativity and diligence in his organizing efforts have already benefited a large and growing number of young people in Kalamazoo, both through community and savings.

Holly Jo Sparks.  Holly Jo has provided leadership over the last ten years, helping to resolve City problems in Santa Cruz, rebuilding after the fire in Santa Cruz, saving a cooperative in Davis from death, and acting as Executive Director of NASCO on short notice.  For three years, Holly Jo also served as a board member of the National Cooperative Business Association - only the fourth person from our sector to do so.

This outstanding group will be inducted on Friday, November 6 at the University of Michigan Student Union in Ann Arbor.  The Hall of Fame program is a part of the annual Cooperative Education and Training Institute, serving U.S. and Canadian cooperatives since 1977. 

For more information, contact Jim Jones, NASCO staff member, at jim@nasco.coop.