Advocates for Outdoor Education in Early Childhood & Beyond
How We Work
We are co-creating a peer to peer network in Colorado that welcomes our input and energy at any time in any capacity. We have committed to maintaining autonomy of individuals and groups while also organizing for more collective power and shared resources. This article about the difference between Collectives and Cooperatives has been helpful.
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We also adhere to the 7 International Cooperative Principles (See next section below for explanations)
WHAT DOES COLLECTIVE MEAN?
From COOP Cathy .... What's the difference between Coops and Collectives:
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"Generally speaking, a collective is an organization that is managed without hierarchy. This means that every person has equal decision-making power. Some decisions may be delegated to individual members or sub-committees, but no one has the special, authoritative power usually granted to a manager."
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"All [participants] are equal co-managers: nobody has decision-making power or authority over another [participant]. Smaller decisions may be made by individuals, department teams, or committees, but all collective members participate in both major management and governance decisions."
7 Cooperative Principles
1. Voluntary and Open Membership
Cooperatives are voluntary organisations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination.
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2. Democratic Member Control
Cooperatives are democratic organisations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions. Men and women serving as elected representatives are accountable to the membership. In primary cooperatives members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote) and cooperatives at other levels are also organised in a democratic manner.
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3. Member Economic Participation
Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative. At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the cooperative. Members usually receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a condition of membership. Members allocate surpluses for any or all of the following purposes: developing their cooperative, possibly by setting up reserves, part of which at least would be indivisible; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the cooperative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership.
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4. Autonomy and Independence
Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organisations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organisations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their cooperative autonomy.
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5. Education, Training, and Information
Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their co-operatives. They inform the general public - particularly young people and opinion leaders - about the nature and benefits of co-operation.
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6. Cooperation among Cooperatives
Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures.
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7. Concern for Community
Cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies approved by their members.