Making A Difference, Quietly

I now have a tan on my brown, bald head. Never did occur to me that it could happen. But the sun was merciless today and generally sapped the energy. So today`s blog is going to be short. I think. I need to get some sleep.

We visited another consortium and 2 amazing co-ops today. My caption to today`s blog refers to the first.

It is called Giovani Rilegatori Social Co-op. Rilegatori means Young Binders. 25 years old, Rilegatori has four business divisions. Its social purpose is to work with disadvantaged people. At least 50% of the workers have physical or mental disabilities, are recovering from drug addictions, etc.

The first division, binding, does precisely that. As we watched, the team steadily worked their way through a pile of manuscripts.

The next division, assembly, is where big businesses send minor parts for assembly. Today some of the staff was snapping together plastic components for Citroen door handles.

The warehousing division is an amazing success story. Started just a couple of years ago, this is the first document warehousing facility in the area (like Iron Mountain). They also scan and back up each document. The 9,000 sq. Mt. Facility is full and they are looking for more space.

The last division is a copy centre like Kinko’s or Mail Boxes. You are probably getting sick of my saying this but yes they run at a profit ad get no donations or grants.

They have a Manager of Social Responsibility who ranks higher than the Director of the operations and reports directly the Board. The thing that strikes you straight away is the quiet, self assuredness of the whole operation. And the genuine affection the Director and his senior staff have for those at work, some of whom react like children in his presence. “Nobody is assisted”, he says. “Each does what he or she can”.

Another small phrase from him, said in a very positive sense, left a deep impression on all of us. “We recycle human beings”, he said.

A massive pasta lunch was followed by a visit to a massive business cooperative. 3Elle is a 108 year old furniture manufacturing co-op. In the 1940s they shifted from kitchen furniture to doors and windows.

I’ve spent the last half hour interpreting the contents of their Italian Language financial statement and have it figured out. The annual revenue was €74 Million and the Net Income was in excess of €3.5 Million.

Membership requires 5 years of steady employment with a clean employment record, demonstrated commitment to the co-operative principles and an investment of €46,000. Deserving candidates get financial assistance if required. About 10% of those who apply are selected for membership every year; the others have to try harder next year. To date, no one has quit because he was rejected.

95% of the production is consumed in Italy and 3Elle is one of the country’s top three door manufacturer’s. They fend off competition from the Eurozone by producing quality products. I believe them. I saw it.

Tomorrow we visit a local co-operative bank. Should be very interesting. I have a dozen questions for them. No blog tomorrow. We have been invited for dinner to Professor Zamagni‘s house. I shall write about the co-op bank later.