A co-op can be difficult to explain. But KingBird Content has ventured to do it in sixty seconds. See the video below for the most essential aspects of co-operatives. Information collected in this video comes from the ICA definition of a co-op, and the ideas of Janelle Orsi, Marjorie Kelly, and Stacey Cordeiro.
Co-op in Sixty Seconds from KingBird Content on Vimeo.
CoopMatters.com 
This is the first time I’ve seen ‘consumer’ co-ops called ‘customer’ co-ops. But I guess if ‘producer’ co-ops are now called ‘worker’ co-ops, it makes sense. But the title, Customer, i.e. Shopper, somehow feels too commercial, to inspire community co-operation.
Great point, Joshua. I’ll consider “consumer” as a more appropriate label in the future.
Chuck