The Co-op Era A framework to create a social movement in support of Co-ops
2 Factors Contributing to Major Social Change Underlying Tap Frustrated Academic Defense of Social Anxiety Groups Validation the Status Quo Organize • Widespread sense of • Especially those • Facts, stats and uncertainty and recently educated arguments that prove/ People • Those who benefit anxiety about the with limited job provide evidence that from the existing around a future prospects the population has order will first attempt Solution with been wronged or • Connect groups with to reinforce it treated unfairly common issues – Clear Benefits • ‘Defectors’ that can workers, farmers, be won over white collar service accelerate change workers
Underlying Social Anxiety • Can’t hide. Can’t spin. Can’t force . - Technology-driven transparency is shifting the balance of power away from institutions such as governments and companies towards individuals. • Next generation with new expectations - 87% of Millennials believe “the success of a business should be measured in terms of more than just its financial performance.” • People are stressed, fed up, and have few options. Half (48%) of Canadians are less than $200 away monthly from being financially insolvent. • The bottom 50% of the Canadian population have their hands on only 6% of the wealth . • 40% of jobs could be lost to automation within the next decade.
Why is it an Opportune Time to Reenergize the Coop Movement? • We can reveal a better choice to the general public. • We can be a better choice for the next generation workforce. • We can be an economic engine that better supports Government job creation and community investment agendas. The time to act is now. Social anxiety and discontent is widespread and topical.
5 Lessons from Co-ops Past Rochdale Rochdale Society Society – 1844 Merchant class degrading food quality raising prices so people banded together to sell food items that were affordable and unadulterated. Quebec Cr Quebec Cred edit Unions it Unions - 1900 Unethical interest rates on credit and loans. Co-operat Co-operative W ive Women’ omen’s Guild s Guild – 1883 Led women's health, women's suffrage and pacifism. U.S. Ener U.S. Energy Cooperat gy Cooperatives ives – 1930s Provide power to rural areas large corporations considered unprofitable. Co-ops are generally a product of Fairtrade Fairtrade Far Farmer Co-ops mer Co-ops hardship or crisis that requires group unity and effort to solve 75% of all fair trade ag products come from farmer co-ops.
6 Patterning the Co-op Movement Fall/Winter 2018 Spring 2019 Summer 2019 and Future Led by Academia (UofG?) Led by OCA Led by Tier One Co-ops Foment Discontent Stand Up to a Create W Cr eate Waves of aves of with the Status Quo Systemic Issue Enthusiasm Ent husiasm Organize Academia Or ganize Academia Ignite Change Ignite Change Qual Qualify Co-ops ify Co-ops • Group of thought leaders • Key Benefit Messaging – clear • Set performance standards • Field and publish survey results and consistent Common Ideal, Common Ideal, • Cite outrage-inducing corporate • Media relations – press Individual Ind ividually Expr ly Expressed essed practices (VS Co-ops ideally) conference and kits • A platform that links all co-ops in the Canad Canadian T ian Teachers’ Federat eachers’ Federation ion • Road show pursuit of a human ideal, but is • Press conference in Financial • 2014 Study on Youth Underemployment customized to the advantage and District Organize Y Or ganize Yout outh relevance of each • Social media • Rallies and live events • Comprehensive marketing/PR/Community • Arm OCA members with FAQs • Social media Converts and Cases Converts and Cases • Harness global cooperative Connect Y Connect Yout outh to Social Gr h to Social Groups oups • Win over corporate and Gov’t players that resources – show of strength • Corporate factory, agriculture, white might convert • Ensure Co-ops stay aligned collar service workers and others in live • Identify sectors to introduce co-ops as a events and social media better alternative and proof of concept
7 Co-op Movement - as the public experiences it I’m fed up with the Cooperative There are so many gap between rich I’m fed up with Companies put the admirable and poor, unstable companies that needs of people Cooperative work and succeed at our first and succeed Companies to struggling to expense. as a result. choose from. provide the basics.
8 Creating the Co-op Movement Creating the Co-op Movement The pattern at work behind all social movements The pattern at work behind all social movements – whether religious, political, class whether religious, political, class or commercial – have all followed a very similar pattern. or commercial have all followed a very similar pattern. We can employ this pattern to create such a movement for Co-ops. We can employ this pattern to create such a movement for Co-ops. Give people Embolden first Stand up to a Earn the support Create waves a purpose followers systemic issue of allies of enthusiasm
9 Creating the Co-op Movement Creating the Co-op Movement The pattern at work behind all social movements The pattern at work behind all social movements – whether religious, political, class whether religious, political, class or commercial or commercial – have all followed a very similar pattern. have all followed a very similar pattern. We can employ this pattern to create such a movement for Co-ops. We can employ this pattern to create such a movement for Co-ops. Give people a purpose
10 Though many chapters in our human history are defined by individuals who sought wealth and power at the expense of others, the population invariably wakes up and sees the wrong to be righted. The time has come to permanently break that cycle and patriate social and economic power to the people, not the few. Cooperative Companies believe the smartest decisions are ones that are right for the most people. We Makes Sense.
11 We are not meant to be creatures compelled by appetites and baser instincts. We can be so much more than what we have become. When we pull together our minds and resources, the only limitation holding us back will be self-interest. Cooperation has always been the secret of our species’ success, as surely it will unlock the vast potential of our future. Cooperative Companies believe a great future for all of us begins in working together today. Tomorrow Needs Us.
12 The grand desires of the few do not outweigh the needs of the many. There can be no great life for any one person until a reasonably good life is available to all. The essentials of a safe and decent life are not luxuries to be bought, they are necessities and a veritable right. Cooperative Companies believe life’s essentials are a matter of common concern not individual profit. Together In Need.
What can members do? If you are among the larger, influential, well-resourced Coops, your active leadership of this movement is the lynchpin. All Coops can adopt this Unifying Purpose in their own way, in their own communities. Don’t give the opposition ammunition. Recognize the urgency of now. Act and support each other.
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