Co-op

One model of business structure applicable to Seasteading is the member- or worker-owned cooperative.

This structure places ownership of the enterprise directly in the hands of the people most affected by its operation; the customers and workers involved.

Worker

In this model the enterprise and its assets are owned by the people who operate it. Each worker has an equal vote and an equal share. Disbursements of equity are equal, although compensation for work performed may vary according to fair and objective plans, such as qualifications, skills, and amount of work performed.

Member

Member owned cooperatives are organized for the benefit of consumers of their goods and services. These often include food or fuel co-ops, sometimes electric or water utilities. This could also easily be modified to provide telecommunications services. Again, each member has a single vote. Surpluses are disbursed according to an equitable plan, and members that also work for the co-op are often compensated for their work separately from equity distributions.

Commonalities

In both versions of co-op, daily operational decisions are generally delegated to a management board, with strategic decisions made by voting at regularly scheduled member meetings. Managers and board members are selected by the membership body. In some very small co-ops, decision making may be by unanimous consensus or conversely by the individual responsible for a given function with little overt democracy.

Book keeping typically follows the same rules as for other ownership structures and non-profit organizations.

It is important to have a business plan for co-ops, perhaps even more than for a corporation, and definitely more than for single proprietors. This plan spells out expectations, roles, responsibilities, and controls funds which keeps down and resolves conflicts.