Page 26 RAIN July/August 1984 m rnrrn7rrrnpg?wi Jumping onto the Micro Wave: Computer Co-ops Computers don't come cheap, and you don't usually find computers in thrift shops. For individuals or organizations that get by on small amounts of money, a computer is not an option. Yet there are creative ways to make computers affordable. When Mimi Maduro visited Chinook Learning Community a few months ago (see RAIN X:4), she discovered that some Chinook members were living lightly and keeping in step with computer technology by sharing the costs of a computer. She asked Tim Clark to describe the Chinook Computer Co-op for RAIN. Back in Portland, Mimi contacted Portland attorney Beverly Stein for details on a hardware co-op for nonprofit organizations. Let's see more of this kind of resource sharing'—TK The Chinook Computer Co-op, a community support co-op, was created by friends and members of the Chinook Learning Community who saw the potential of computer technology and wanted to learn to use computers. In May 1982, eight individuals contributed between $250 and $500 to buy an Apple computer, printer, and modem. They have since acquired a second computer and printer, a graphics plotter, and much software. Co-op members are now using this equipment for word processing, telecommunications, typesetting, financial planning, accounting, recordkeeping, and children's learning. Members have been able to learn different aspects of computer literacy and teach one another. Several members have acquired personal notebook-size computers, which integrate with the coop's larger computers and printers. This giVes them independent computer abilities. Besides providing service to members, the co-op sells computer time to the larger community. Individual coop members also provide computer services to the public, such as mailing-list maintenance, word processing, and accounting. This cooperative approach is an economical way for individuals in the community to have access to computer technology. What is needed is a community of trust, a central accessible location, and a person to organize the project. For information on how to set up such a co-op, contact me at PO Box 321, Clinton, WA 98236; 206/321- 1884. —Timothy Clark The Portland local of Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) organized a hardware cooperative of eight collective members to purchase a Kaypro 4 computer. The collective uses the computerfor organizing mailing lists, financial and membership records, and correspondence, and for dei’eloping informational materials and papers. The following sample contract provides a model for those interested in organizing a . hardware cooperative. —Beverly Stein Memorandum of Agreement This is an agreement among the following people regarding the ownership and use of a [name of computer] computer and associated equipment: [list names of collective members] Section 1—Terms 1.1 The [name of computer] and associated equipment will be referred to as "the computer" in this agreement. 1.2 In this agreement the above named individuals will be referred to as "collective members" and the group as a whole as the "computer collective." Section 2—Powers, rights, and responsibilities of collective members 2.1 Each collective member shall contribute [amount] in the calendar year of [year] towards the purchase and maintenance of the computer. 2.2 Each collective member has an equal undivided share of the computer and equal access to use. 2.3 Collective members shall share equally in the cost of repair or replacement of the computer due to accidental damage to the computer. Exception: In the case of damage due to negligence of a collective member, the collective members may decide on an alternative method of recovering the damages. Section 3—Financial arrangement 3.1 [Name] is designated as Treasurer and will maintain the accounts of the computer collective. 3.2 Collective members shall contribute to the collective account according to the following schedule: Initial Remainder/ Payment Contribution Return Plan [Names] [Amounts] [Amounts] [Amounts] 3.3 The computer collective may decide to assess the members additional contributions and may solicit contributions from people who are not collective members. 3.4 Decisions about purchase of additional equipment, sale of equipment, and maintenance will be made by the collective members. Section 4—Membership 4.1 The computer collective shall consist of no more than eight members. 4.2 Present collective members may sell their undivided share of the computer to another person with ' the consensus agreement of the collective members. 4.3 The computer collective shall meet as needed. Section 5—Decision-making process 5.1 A quorum for decision-making purposes is six collective members. 5.2 Decisions are made by consensus. Section 6—Us.e of the computer 6.1 Each collective member has equal access to the computer. The computer may be reserved by a sign-up system established by the collective members. No member may reserve the computer for more than 48 hours in
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