Power in Cooperatives:

Fruitful Conversations to Seed Transformation

We are excited to offer you a reimagined Co-op Cafe in 2024!

We have redesigned the Co-op Cafe with folks from all areas of the Co-op in mind: directors, managers, staff and community members, from all sectors of the cooperative landscape. Understanding how power operates within a model built to be principled, democratic and equitable, and how we as individuals and groups might approach power will be explored.

The main goals of our day-long, DEI-centered conversation are:

Gain a practical understanding of different types of power and how they show up in our work as cooperators
Consider how we use our power and on whose behalf
Reflect on the connection between power and accountability

Leave feeling like we have new perspectives and can try the solutions-oriented conversations we practiced together.

We look forward to seeing you at our new interpretation of the Cafe!

In cooperation,

Hether, Molly and Jamila

The Co-op Cafe is made possible by support from National Co+op Grocers.

Our inaugural Sacramento Cafe in late August was successful! We went out on a limb with the new format and discussion topic this year and honestly, we weren’t sure how it would land. We were thrilled with the response.

Cooperators from BriarPatch, Chico, Davis and Sacramento came together for a day to experience exploring the concept of Power – what it looks like, how it’s manifested, by whom, our reactions to it, and most importantly, how we can return to our co-ops having practiced discussing this important topic with our peers.

Our NorCal group had great feedback on the event. Activities were a mix of personal reflection, small and large group discussion, and “get up and move” interactive exercises to keep things interesting.