All Things Co-op

How can cooperative societies provide meaningful education and training to their members and the public about the nature and benefits of co-operation? How does ATC fit in?

This week Kevin, Larry and Cinar discuss the fifth of the Rochdale Principles: Education, Training, and Information, which states, "Co-operatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their co-operatives. They inform the general public – particularly young people and opinion leaders – about the nature and benefits of co-operation."

The Rochdale Principles were first written in 1844 and were adopted by the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) in 1937. 

How can a cooperative control itself and not be beholden to anyone else? Can it? How can cooperatives ensure their independence when they enter into agreements with other organizations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources?

This week Kevin, Larry and Cinar discuss the fourth of the Rochdale Principles: Autonomy and independence, which states, "Co-operatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organizations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their co-operative autonomy"

What is expected of worker-owners, and what is given to them? What does it mean to "contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital" of a cooperative and what is done with surpluses?

This week Kevin, Larry and Cinar discuss the third principle of the first of the Rochdale Principles: Member economic participation, which states, "Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their co-operative. At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the co-operative. Members usually receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a condition of membership. Members allocate surpluses for any or all of the following purposes: developing their co-operative, possibly by setting up reserves, part of which at least would be indivisible; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the co-operative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership."

Cooperatives must be democratic, but what does that mean? What form of democracy is best, and how do workers transition from mere workers and into democratic owners?

In this episode, Kevin, Cinar and Larry discuss the 2nd Rochdale Principle: "Co-operatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions. Men and women serving as elected representatives are accountable to the membership. In primary co-operatives members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote) and co-operatives at other levels are also organised in a democratic manner."

The Rochdale Principles were first written in 1844 and were adopted by the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) in 1937.

What does it mean to be a voluntary organization, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political, or religious discrimination?

This week Kevin, Larry and Cinar discuss the first principle of the first of the Rochdale Principles: Voluntary and Open Membership, which states, "co-operatives are voluntary organisations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination."

These principles were first written in 1844 and were adopted by the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) in 1937.

In this episode Larry, Cinar, and Kevin sit down for a discussion about the Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers. Who were they, from where did their principles come, and why does it matter?

Cinar and Kevin discuss a recent article on Political psychologist Shawn Rosenberg's thesis that human beings are not designed for democracy and that democracy as we know it is destined for failure in right wing authoritarianism. Cinar and Kevin discuss this in the context of the democratic ideals embodied in worker cooperatives. Are we really built for democracy at work?

In this episode, Cinar talks with Jason Kelly, a law student, who has drafted an incredible paper on the co-op legislation and policy proposal around the United States. Cinar and Jason discuss the different approaches taken around the country and lessons for anyone pursuing cooperative legislation and policy endeavours.

In this Episode, Kevin talks with Peter Gowan of the Democracy Collaborative about his recently released paper on the Right to Own policy proposal. Right to own gives workers the right to purchase business when they are being sold or closed in order to convert the businesses into worker cooperatives. Peter's paper also contains an important discussion of the need for a coop ecosystem to be able to support the goal of Right to Own proposals.

Camila Pineiro, an expert and consultant on the solidarity economy and cooperatives in Cuba, examines how the cooperative sector has evolved and the role cooperatives are playing in shaping Cuban society. A country of around 10 million people, Cuba has more than 5,000 cooperatives. As part of the reform process over the last decade, cooperatives have already achieved a prominent role in the Cuban economy and are expected to expand and develop further in the near future.