“We need a new business model that invests in workers and invests in communities. Too often we've seen Wall Street hollow out companies by draining their cash and assets and hollow out communities by shedding jobs and shuttering plants,” said United Steelworkers President Leo Gerard in 2009 (YES Magazine, March 5).

As the corporation based, federally-managed American economy finds itself at a crossroads of disappointment and devastation, the imperative to implement a new economic model of  business and community – cooperatives – will be the topic of discussion at Rock River Open Forum’s program meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Rock Falls Public Library.

Our presentation will be led by Alex "A.J." Segneri. He has been an activist, community organizer, and social entrepreneur for more than 12 years. From fighting for issues ranging from social justice to ballot access, Segneri also is involved in the cooperative movement where he has presented on how cooperatives benefit as an alternative economy.