Democracy and Co-ops
By Annie Hoy, Board Director
This month, AFC Owners will democratically elect a slate of board candidates. These candidates are co-op owners, just like you and me. By holding annual elections, co-ops around the world and close to home are expressing Cooperative Principle 2: Democratic Member Control.
Cooperatives universally are democratic organizations. Co-op members buy the goods or use the services of the cooperative and actively help set policies and make decisions for the health and wellbeing of the organization they co-own with others. The men and women who are elected are directly accountable to the membership. When you make your equity investment in the common property of the co-op and become an AFC owner, you also gain equal voting rights in choosing who will represent your voice at the board level.
However, voting in board elections doesn’t necessarily make a democracy. Many co-op scholars point to open discussion, deliberation and consultation with owners as the most essential conditions for democratic member control. It is equally important to have owner engagement about the common aspirations of the co-op in order to make the organization reflect the needs of the community. Outreach to owners, and the reciprocal owner engagement that results, is the organizing principle for the entire cooperative.
Your board of directors is a small group of owners that you have empowered to make decisions on behalf of all of AFC’s members. Participating in the conversation around who the board candidates are and how they might represent your viewpoint is as important as the act of voting. Take the time to read about each of the candidates. Discuss with your fellow owners. Reach out to the candidates with your questions. And after you do, exercise your right to vote!
More Co-op News
31 Reasons to Visit the Co-op
Happy 2016! It’s a brand new year, new month, new day. No doubt many of you’ve made a variety of resolutions to make this year the best yet. The Co-op can help you succeed. How? Let us tell you. Here are 31 reasons why you should visit the Co-op every day this month to improve your life and your community.
Behind the Scenes: Produce Department
You shop for groceries at the Co-op. For lunch, you often stop at the Deli for a quick meal from the Hot Bar. You meet friends outside on the plaza, give each other long hugs, and catch up on life. After a long week, you swing by for the Friday beer and wine tastings at the Kiosk. But how well do you really know the Co-op?
2015: A Year to Remember
Can it really be that time of year again? 2015 was full of so many things for which to be grateful. Here’s a list of some of the highlights.
We celebrated the 10-thousandth person to become a Co-op owner! Co-op ownership is a way to help create a more humane and democratic way to do business locally. A robust cooperative economy is one way to take a stand against corporate misbehavior.
Smart Chicken® Holiday Giving Challenge
The holiday season is upon us. Amidst the shopping frenzies, family gatherings, and parties it can be hard to remember this is also a season of giving. Luckily, you have us and we are making it easy for you to give back.
During the month of November, Co-op shoppers can nourish their own families and help fight hunger in the Rogue Valley.