Our multi-talented Board Member Gala Milne recently wrote this article celebrating Vancouver-based cooperatives and the Co-Op movement in general for The Dependent Online Magazine. Check it out below and follow the links for the full article!
THE COOPERATION PROCLAMATION | FEBRUARY 28th | GALA MILNE
“I know I’ve already renewed my loan on this sander,but it’s just so good. I really want to take it out again.”
It’s 4 p.m. on Tuesday and we’ve just opened the library. Craig stands back from the counter, one hand crossed over his chest, the other up by his chin, looking down at the little angular sander with adoration. He blushes.
“See here how it has these gel pads so your hands don’t go numb?”
I’ve never witnessed such enthusiasm for a sander.
Of course, Craig doesn’t have to deal with the uncertainty of knowing whether or not he can rent this prized tool tonight. Simply, he could trek down a hardware store, put down some cash, and either buy or rent his beloved sander for days on end. Instead, Craig has prescribed to a different model of tool autonomy: the model of active participation, shared decision-making, and equal distribution of resources; the model in which collective values preside over profit; and the model wherein many of us have no earthly idea what we’re actually talking about:
We’ve had a number of inquires since we opened in July about group or organizational memberships with the tool library and have been busy getting all the legality and administrative issues on our end sorted out to make this possible, and are now excited to announce that organizational memberships with the VTL are now available!
This class of membership is available to registered non-profits, co-ops, or small businesses and allows the organization to delegate up to five “authorized users” to borrow tools needed for projects or upkeep of the organization. The costs are as follows:
Year one: $20 member share + $200 annual maintenance fee
Year two (and beyond): $200 annual maintenance fee
Interested in signing up your organization or small business for a membership with the tool library? Please get in touch with us at info@vancouvertoollibrary.com with any questions or to start setting it up!
Written by The Vancouver Tool Library, February 03rd, 2012 | No Comments »
Just a quick note to let you know that our referal special has been extended to the end of February!
Between now and then, we’re encouraging all our current members to refer their friends and family to the VTL. As a thanks to you for helping to spread the word, we will add one month to the duration of your annual maintenance feefor every new member that signs up after your referral! Just remind the potential member to drop your name when they sign up, and we’ll automatically add the free month to your account. There is no limit on the number of referals you make (or free months you gain)!
Written by The Vancouver Tool Library, January 26th, 2012 | No Comments »
January’s tool of the month voting closed last weekend and results came very favourably for the mini drill press, a much needed tool that’s been missing from our inventory. In a delightful twist of fate, however, a very generous tool donor dropped a drill press off at the shop before we even had time to start fundraising! The new drill press will be available to borrow by this weekend. A huge thanks goes out to this anonymous donor!
Above and beyond the drill press, our tool inventory continues to grow thanks to the generosity of tool donors! Over the past two weeks we’ve received a number of big ticket tools that we can’t wait to see go out. Many thanks to…
Molly Caron who donated a table saw and a ladder
Lazlo Szentirmai, who donated a cordless drill,
Faith Jones, who donated a key hole saw,
and Karen who, in memory of her husband William, donated a table saw (this brings our total up to three!), pressure washer, circular saw, and a cut saw.
Written by The Vancouver Tool Library, January 23rd, 2012 | No Comments »
