Participation pitch: Co-operatives UK to lead by example

Co-operative Business Consultants At a time when governance and member participation is a key issue in the co-operative movement, Co-operatives UK, as a co-operative itself should lead by...

Co-operative Business Consultants At a time when governance and member participation is a key issue in the co-operative movement, Co-operatives UK, as a co-operative itself should lead by example. Members should support Co-operatives UK to: · Develop more of a culture and strategy for member engagement · Recruit and retain more than 20% of co-operatives into membership (currently around 11% of the “6,000 co-ops”) · Bench-mark its performance with its peers in other countries, such as Legacoop, Italy · Have a governing document that allows one member one vote at General Meetings · Prevent a single member organisation holding more than 20% of Board seats · Have a transparent procurement policy and increase opportunities for member economic participation in Co-operatives UK Co-operatives UK needs to become more of a campaigning organisation, as well as a trade association and develop effective mechanisms for individuals to take part in campaigning for co-operation, including consideration of individual membership of Co-operatives UK.

Co-operative Business Consultants

At a time when governance and member participation is a key issue in the co-operative movement, Co-operatives UK, as a co-operative itself should lead by example.

Members should support Co-operatives UK to:

·         Develop more of a culture and strategy for member engagement

·         Recruit and retain more than 20% of co-operatives into membership (currently around 11% of the “6,000 co-ops”)

·         Bench-mark its performance with its peers in other countries, such as Legacoop, Italy

·         Have a governing document that allows one member one vote at General Meetings

·         Prevent a single member organisation holding more than 20% of Board seats

·         Have a transparent procurement policy and increase opportunities for member economic participation in Co-operatives UK

Co-operatives UK needs to become more of a campaigning organisation, as well as a trade association and develop effective mechanisms for individuals to take part in campaigning for co-operation, including consideration of individual membership of Co-operatives UK.

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