This post is an extended way of saying come to WAO's *Open* Xmas Party!
We Are Open Co-op (WAO) members want to collaborate. It’s why, almost a decade ago, we formed a cooperative – so that we could continue to work together.
When we started WAO, one of the things we talked a lot about was “solidarity for freelancers” because it's what we wanted most: a cooperative where we could find solidarity and support.
Lately, we've been reminded of this idea. Partly that's because this year has felt strenuous. We’ve felt like a lot of people have been struggling. We have struggled too – while trying to be there for other people as we collectively navigate the harsh realities of doing business in the mid 2020s.
We feel privileged and downright lucky that we are mostly OK. Wanting to go into 2026 both reinvigorated and in a spirit of solidarity, we want to make an offer to you: Let’s find ways to work together in the new year – we’re sure we can help each other.
We recently made a list of what WAO has to offer, which you can see on our wiki. The TL;DR, however, is...
1. Collaboration over Competition
For decades, we’ve contributed to open source projects, run open meet-ups, given “free” advice, met people and worked out loud. We know that the benefits of collaboration aren't just financial, but being able to pay the rent/mortgage kinda helps.
Nevertheless, we don’t have to compete with one another. We can collaborate. We can help you learn new skills around open working, and we're sure you've got stuff to teach us, too. In fact, we're always picking up vital lessons from people in our networks.
2. Networking over Not Working
Speaking of networks, we’re so pleased to have wide networks of really awesome people doing badass things. We want to be part of that even more than we already are and to grow the people with whom we're connected
Since the pandemic, there have been far fewer offline events, which means that online interactions are more important than ever. Let's find ways to get to know one another, discovering our interests, talents, and weird little quirks ;)
3. Solidarity over Solitude
Ultimately, this is all about building the world which we want to exist. That's only going to happen through solidarity and having each others' backs. It's easy to think that the world is against you when things aren't going well, but everyone has a talent and something to offer.
We'd like to find ways in which we can all help one another. That happens by showing up for one another rather than retreating into darkened rooms and doomscrolling on our mobile devices.
So if this post resonates with you and you feel like doing something about it, why not start with WAO's *Open* Xmas party? It's online at 14:00 GMT on Thursday 11th December and YOU are invited. Yes, you.
Bring your cocoa, wear your hat, and come along for a festive chat! Join us for a laugh or two and we might just have some games for you... 🎄 🎁 🎅
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