Your co-op's future will be determined by the goals your
members set and how effectively you make decisions and solve
problems as a group. Establishing common personal, business and
social goals right from the start, and sticking to them, can
help this process immensely. This not only keeps your decisions
focused, but also helps to avoid misunderstandings that can lead
to conflict.
The Process
The co-operative
principle of one member/one vote is one of the main reasons many
groups form worker co-ops. However, making decisions
democratically, holding productive meetings and working as a
group are skills members must acquire. They must also be
knowledgeable about all aspects of the co-op's operation in
order to generate ideas and contribute effectively to the
decision-making process.
This process
starts when the members elect directors, who in turn elect
officers (president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer). In
small co-ops, members often serve in more than one capacity.
Good collective
decisions require well-researched information and good
communications between the board of directors, manager and
membership.
Co-ops operate
democratically, but you can't stop in the middle of the
workday to discuss every decision that must be made. There is a
time and a place for each discussion to take place. Here's what
goes on at Annual General Meetings, board of directors meetings
and operational meetings:
Annual General Meetung (AGM)
The Board of Directors reports to membership,
reviewing the past business year and the year's financial statements.
Membership elects board members.
Membership elects a new board.
Anything the Board and members wish to add to the agenda<
Board of Directors Meeting
The manager reports to the board, which in turn provides direction to the manager.
The board evaluates the co-op's financial position.
The board makes or changes policies as required.
Board members develop long-term goals and strategy.
Operational Meetings
Consultation and decision-making about daily activities take
place between members and management.
Committees
Sometimes the board appoints committees to research issues and
make recommendations to help the board and membership make
decisions.
