Group Decision Making

Hannah Renglich

Agenda

• Introductions• Defining “democratic”• Methodologies and Mechanisms - HOW• Participants – WHO• Spaces in which Decisions get Made – WHERE• Cultures of Decision Making• A critical perspective on co-ops

Introductions

• Name• Co-op• Decision Making structure or system used• Level of satisfaction with that system

Articulating Democracy

• Most human beings have the potential to make reasoned, fair and compassionate decisions

• A plurality of opinions is a healthy thing

Truly Democratic Organizing Principles

• Equalizing Access to Power• Transparency• Democratic Decision Making• Balancing Rights and Responsibilities• Equalizing Inequalities (Equity)• Leadership Empowerment and Creation

Methodologies and Mechanisms

• Informal / Nothing• Consensus• Modified Consensus• Voting• Hierarchy

Where is the Decision Made?

• Informally• When everyone is together• In committees empowered by the larger group

Culture of Decision Making

• Systemic Power Dynamics and Oppression• Informal Power1. How open is your decision making process?2. How does your group tackle difficult decisions?3. Do people implement decisions made?4. When does the decision get made?

*Vibesminder

Changing a Group’s Culture

Co-operative Approaches to

Alternative Food and Farm Initiatives:

This is Democracy?

Wednesday February 27LOFC Network 4th Assembly

Do co-operatives promote inclusivity,

democracy, sovereignty and transformation?

Broadening the Conversation

Hannah Renglich, Local Organic Food Co-ops Network

Sticks in a bundle are unbreakable- Kenyan Proverb

Why Co-operate?

7 Principles of Co-operative Identity

1. Voluntary and Open Membership All Welcome – No Pressure

2. Democratic Member Control One Member = One Vote

3. Member Economic Participation No Free Rides

4. Autonomy and Independence Self-Control

5. Education, Training + Information Share, Learn, Grow

6. Co-operation Among Co-operatives Together Everyone Achieves More

7. Concern for Community Building Strong Communities

The current Statement on the Co-operative Identity was adopted at the 1995 Congress and General Assembly of the International Co-operative Alliance. The Statement was the product of a lengthy process of consultation involving thousands of co-operators

around the world, chaired by Ian MacPherson of Canada.

Co-ops in Canada• There are over 9,000 co-operatives in Canada• One in four Canadians is a member of a co-op

or credit union• In Canada, co-ops have 1.4 million members and 15,500 employees

35% of the world's maple syrup is produced by co-operatives in Quebec

Co-ops provide over one hundred million jobs around the world – 20% more than transnational corporations

Co-ops have a market share of 39% of all milk products in Canada

Co-operatives market about 57% of all poultry and eggs produced in

Canada

Co-ops weather economic recessions

and outlive corporations

Co-ops can be owned by eaters (consumers), farmers (producers), workers, and other

stakeholders

Share of World’s Wealth

85%

15%

Top $ 10% Bottom 90%

Share of Farm Revenue(Canada: 1985 to 2009)

0.4%

99.6%

FarmersSuppliers & Banks

Farmers’ Share of Food $

1952 2010 Co-op0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

47%

20%

60%

The Breadth of Food and Farm Co-ops

Democracy

Justice

Sovereignty

Inclusivity

Transformation• Value co-operation and are either

– incorporated as co-ops– co-operatively structured collectives– in process toward incorporation, with the stated intention to incorporate– utilize the co-operative principles within their governance as a guiding framework (ie. co-op-

minded)

• Centre around food and farming or have some component of food and farming within their activities

• Emphasize direct relationship: local, regional, sustainable food production and distribution, domestic or international fair trade

• Have a defined and stated environmental commitment, ie. organic, sustainable, Integrated Pest Management, wildcrafted, biodynamic, permaculture, etc.

• Uphold the principles of positively transforming the food system toward greater co-operation, sustainability, and resilience

Solidarity

If co-ops are so great, why isn’t everyone a co-op?

• Administratively burdensome• Co-op Lite?• Slow• Sweat Equity and Initial Capitialization is daunting• No one teaches us how to co-operate

West End Food Co-op

Lifecycle of a Co-op

• Co-ops fill a need of a community, which is unaddressed by markets or governments

• When that need no longer exists, the co-op may cease to be relevant

• Mature and ageing co-ops may come to resemble corporations, without careful attention to maintaining their co-operative values

• Strawberry patch model and P6

Ontario Natural Food Co-op

Thank you!

hrenglich@onfc.cahttp://cultivatingfoodcoops.net

facebook.com/cultivatingfoodcoops@lofcnetwork