‍3 Things We Learned at the VEOC

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On May 30, Vermont’s vibrant employee ownership community gathered in Burlington for the 22nd annual Vermont Employee Ownership Conference (VEOC). With more than 300 attendees and dozens of workshops spanning ESOPs, worker co-ops, business succession, and governance, VEOC continues to be one of the most energizing regional convenings in the field.

The ICA Group was proud to be part of the lineup this year, not just as attendees, but as contributors. Our team led multiple sessions throughout the day, including:

• Engaging Employees: How to Implement Deeper Participation in Your ESOP, which explored participatory governance and tools to deepen employee engagement for better business outcomes.
  
  
• A Short Guide to Internal Capital Accounts for Worker Co-operatives, which demystified the financial mechanics behind member equity, patronage allocations, and reinvestment strategies.
  
  
• Building Power Through Participatory Decision Making, which explored the mechanics of consent-based governance, how to navigate the 'groan zone' in group decision-making, and tools to create inclusive and effective organizational processes.
  
  

It was amazing to see attendees engaged in simulations and role plays that illustrated the emotional dynamics of democratic practice. It's one thing to know something theoretically and it's another to know it in a way that allows you to leave with strategies for applying participatory frameworks to your real-world challenges.

Here are 3 things that stood out.

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1. Succession Planning Is a Community Issue, Not Just a Business Decision

Our workshop focused on why employee ownership is not just an exit strategy — it's a tool for stabilizing communities, retaining jobs, and creating long-term wealth for working people. Conversations during and after our session made one thing clear: Vermont businesses are actively seeking values-aligned ways to transition, but they need support navigating feasibility, financing, and governance.

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2. People-Centered Governance Is a Competitive Advantage

In nearly every session we attended, governance came up — not just as structure, but as practice. Attendees were eager for examples of how co-ops are managing accountability, decision-making, and participation at scale. Our session offered tools for building that capacity early in the conversion process, especially among teams new to shared leadership.

“I definitely learned a few new tricks that will definitely help me run meetings and get decisions made more effectively.”
– VEOC attendee during ICA’s workshop Q&A

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3. Education Is the Gateway to Action

Whether it was a founder exploring an ESOP or a frontline worker envisioning their role in a future coop, education remained central. ICA’s workshop emphasized how framing, messaging, and technical training can empower stakeholders to move forward with confidence. This theme echoed across the day: ownership transitions move faster and more equitably when business owners and workers alike have access to tailored, trustworthy information.

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✨ Bonus Highlight: Learning Can (and Should) Be Fun

The high-energy session, “How to NOT be Boring: Innovative Strategies & Tools to Make Meetings & Workshops More Engaging,” was a hit among attendees looking to breathe life into facilitation. From energizing icebreakers to interactive planning tools, this workshop was a reminder that even the most serious content benefits from creativity. It gave participants hands-on ways to design experiences that are not only effective but also memorable.

🎯 Takeaway: Meetings don’t need to be exhausting — they can be energizing, interactive, and community-building.

Why This Matters

As Vermont continues to lead in business transitions to employee ownership, we’re honored to walk alongside entrepreneurs, ecosystem partners, and co-op champions across the region. Our work at ICA — from feasibility studies to governance design — is rooted in the belief that transitions should reflect the values of the communities they serve.

If you missed our session or want to explore what employee ownership could look like for your business or your clients, we’d love to connect. You can download can reach out to us directly.

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