Frequently Asked Questions

The USFWC and DAWI teams are working to make this the best conference experience possible. We’ll be posting information as soon as we are able to this website, and updating this Frequently Asked Questions section periodically.

Do you have a question for the Worker Co-op Conference team? Email us at conference@usworker.coop.

Last updated 3-19

 

Accessibility

Will this event be wheelchair accessible?

All conference venues are completely wheelchair accessible. With all events happening indoors, ease of wheelchair access will be improved from the 2022 conference. We will update this page with more information about the event’s Covid policies, and resources for accessibility, when available.

Will the conference sessions be available in multiple languages?

The 2024 Worker Co-op Conference is designed to be engaging for English and Spanish speakers. Some sessions will be available in English, some in Spanish, and some will have live, simultaneous interpretation between English and Spanish. All plenary and keynote conference events will be interpreted. There will be a clear indication on the schedule which language each event is presented in, and if there will be any interpretation.

I have trouble with engaging in larger sessions without auditory support. What accommodations will there be for these kinds of sessions?

Gatherings in any room with more than 60 seats will have a microphone for the speaker.

Childcare

Will there be childcare available?

We will have childcare available each day of the conference during the main events of the conference, including registration, sessions, and plenaries. When you register for the conference, you will be asked to indicate how many children you are bringing and their ages, so we can plan accordingly.

Food

Will there be food at the conference?

We provide lunch and snacks throughout the day to all registered attendees. In the registration form we will request more details about any dietary restrictions. We may not be able to accommodate highly unusual, serious, or last-minute restrictions, but we will do our best to let you know if there is an issue.

Schedule and Sessions

When is the conference happening?

The conference will take place on Thursday, September 12 through Saturday, September 14. Thursday will focus on informal meetups for groups of co-op members.

What should I expect each day of the conference?

  • Thursday will consist of small gatherings for worker co-op movement groups, as it has in the past. These are typically organized independently by the groups hosting them, located at the conference site.
  • Friday will have sessions, our major keynote, some informal meetup time, and the Co-op Awards ceremony.
  • Saturday will focus on skill-building workshops and the USFWC member meeting, and there will be a party at another venue in the evening. Registration includes all events.

How long will the sessions be?

Sessions will be between 90-120 minutes.

How do I apply to run a session?

The application to present a session will be open March 14 – April 15. The application lists the main topics we’re seeking sessions for and some specific audiences you should consider tailoring your session to.

Registration and Scholarships

How much will the conference cost?

The cost of registration is on a sliding scale. We always provide scholarships down to $0 and housing stipends to as many attendees as possible. In order to sustain this, we ask everyone to pay what they can afford.

How do I ask for a discount?

There will be scholarships for below-cost attendance which will be accessible through the registration form. We also plan to offer help with housing for some scholarship recipients who would be unable to attend otherwise. Information to come closer to when registration will be open (anticipated to be June).

About the venue

What will the restroom situation be at the conference site?

Most of the restrooms in the venue are separated into “women” and “men” but there is also an accessible single-stall restroom with no gender specification.

Other questions

Will this conference be offered virtually?

The 2024 Worker Co-op Conference will primarily be an in-person conference, with the 3 plenary sessions live-streamed. We are currently exploring the capability to offer a live stream of selected conference sessions as we have capacity (volunteers help!). More information to come.

The USFWC’s Annual Member Meeting will be accessible virtually, and any voting will be done virtually. Registration will be required to access the virtual member meeting.

Can I volunteer at the conference for a free or discounted registration?

There will be opportunities to volunteer during the conference. If you’re willing to volunteer, please indicate it when you register, or email conference@usworker.coop. You will receive more information before the conference about when you are scheduled, what work we might ask you to do, where to go day-of, and any accessibility considerations.