Future Focus Media Co-op and Youth Training Institute is a collaboration that produces high quality video, photography and audio,while training youth in TV and film production. We build youth’s job skills and create powerful stories.
We democratically run our business as a worker co-operative. This means we share the risk and the rewards. We are part of a larger community of cooperatives, and are proud members of Cooperation Worcester the Worcester Solidarity And Green Economy (SAGE) Alliance, the US Federation of Worker Co-ops.
Hiring us supports youth development
Part of our mission is to train youth in media skills. Hiring us not only ensures a high-quality product, but creates opportunities for you media training and apprenticeships.
Entities key to our founding:
- CeMo Entertainment, LLC
Role: Youth recruitment, training logistics, instruction areas: business planning, story telling, pre-employment/soft skills training.
Affliated with Music Mainia TV. - OSD-Obsessive Sneaker Disorder
Role: Grant-writing, instruction areas: television production, marketing, post- production, audio, lighting, editing for web/TV. - Worcester Roots, Inc.
Role: Curriculum documentation, fiscal sponsorship/administrative tasks, instruction areas: documentary filmmaking, camera techniques, post- production, providing space, music production.
VALUES:
The co-operative principles as listed on the International Cooperative Alliance are guidelines by which co-operatives put their values into practice.
1. Voluntary and Open Membership
Co-operatives are voluntary organisations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination.
2. Democratic Member Control
Co-operatives are democratic organisations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions. Men and women serving as elected representatives are accountable to the membership. In primary co-operatives members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote) and co-operatives at other levels are also organised in a democratic manner.
3. Member Economic Participation
Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their co-operative. At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the co-operative. Members usually receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a condition of membership. Members allocate surpluses for any or all of the following purposes: developing their co-operative, possibly by setting up reserves, part of which at least would be indivisible; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the co-operative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership.
4. Autonomy and Independence
Co-operatives are autonomous, self-help organisations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organisations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their co-operative autonomy.
5. Education, Training and Information
Co-operatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their co-operatives. They inform the general public – particularly young people and opinion leaders – about the nature and benefits of co-operation.
6. Co-operation among Co-operatives
Co-operatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the co-operative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures.
7. Concern for Community
Co-operatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies approved by their members.
