Once your co-op is up and running, it’s natural to focus on operations. We get it, your co-op’s core business is the reason you put in all this work. And once you find your groove, your co-op’s governance becomes more routine – something you have to do, not something you want to do. For the most part, that’s okay! As long as you’re complying with regulations, reporting to members, and doing your due diligence, everything is fine. But maybe it could be better!   

If you’re not spending a little time (and maybe a little money) on your co-op’s governance, you’re probably leaving some value on the table. Enhancing your co-op’s governance should create better communication with members and staff, identify problems sooner, create efficiencies in your decision-making and feedback systems, and improve your co-op’s overall performance. Here are five things you can start doing today to enhance your co-op’s governance.   

1. Do more than the minimum

For many co-ops, the annual meeting is the only time the board and managers connect with members. While that’s technically okay, it means you’re missing out on opportunities to regularly connect with your biggest supporters. Checking in with your members throughout the year is an easy tactic for keeping them engaged in what the co-op is doing and what role they can play. This might include a town hall to discuss upcoming changes, new member meetups, or product testing sessions. Plus, there’s a good chance your members will appreciate being consulted.  

2. Evaluate your processes

When you’re working hard, with your head down, it’s easy to get stuck in a rut. Unless you spend some time evaluating whether what you’re doing is working, you’ll probably miss opportunities for improvement. Consider hiring a consultant with experience in performance evaluation who can help you examine your key operational processes (governance, human resources, financial, strategy). This process might help you spot areas for improvement or identify indicators that can be used to measure your co-op’s ongoing performance. Remember, it’s important to consider non-financial targets too! Things like member engagement or employee satisfaction are great factors that contribute to the success of your co-op.   

3. Where possible, seek feedback

If you’re only meeting up with members at the AGM, you’re missing out on valuable information. If you don’t ask your members for feedback, there’s a good chance you’re missing out on data that can improve your co-op. Consider creating forums for members and staff to provide you with feedback. This might include member surveys, focus groups, online polls or forums, suggestion boxes, or a prompt at check-out that asks what could be done better. This information can make you aware of concerns in real-time, allowing you to get ahead of problems.   

4. Facilitate diversity

Countless studies show that diversity improves decision-making. Diversity in age, ethnicity, lived experience, and worldviews can help your decision-makers understand problems from different perspectives. Better understanding the challenges you face, whether it’s taking on new competitors or engaging members in a new market, will help you make more informed and probably better decisions. However, many boards lack representation of women and visible minorities. Consider changing how your co-op approaches recruitment and use language that will attract diverse applicants to board or staff positions. And consider setting targets that encourage action on this front. Strive to achieve gender parity on your board in ten years. Hire an Indigenous professional to fill the next opening in your management team. Facilitating diversity in your co-op takes work.  

5. Provide training on governance and co-ops

Often, new members or staff are unfamiliar with co-ops or what their role is in your co-op. As a leader, you’ll need to provide education to help them understand how co-ops work and how they can participate. Consider incorporating information about your co-op from day one with staff training and when onboarding new members. Create information packages that explain why the co-op was created, its goals, and the member or staff’s role in the overall organization. Consider bringing in guest speakers to offer new perspectives and inspiration. If your people understand how co-ops work and how yours is making a difference, they’ll be more likely to support you and help amplify your message.   

Speaking of training, we have the perfect place to start. Our Co-op Professionals course introduces co-op members, staff, managers, and boards to a co-op’s unique features and how different groups can work together to build a successful organization. In this course you’ll learn all about the inner workings of a co-op and some tips that will improve your co-op’s workplace, member engagement, and governance conversations. Plus, this online course is FREE. Click here to learn more and to sign up.