In this episode of Punchcard, we speak to Beau Bulman, one of the People Development Coordinators at Suma Wholefoods Worker Cooperative, about the challenges and compromises required to practice direct democracy within a cooperative of 200 worker-members, as well as sharing insights into improving member recruitment, member induction, and sustaining a cooperative culture.
In addition to the conversation with Beau, Suma has shared their seven internal cooperative principles, that they use alongside the seven International Cooperative Principles:
Suma members multi-skill. They actively seek out training and development to enable them to take on roles in both office and non-office areas (where practical and reasonable).
Suma members see the bigger picture. They have a broad knowledge of Suma and have an understanding of the wider business environment.
Suma members put in more than they take out. They work for the collective good, actively promoting cooperative values.
Suma members communicate openly and honestly. They are professional and approachable, endeavouring to understand the viewpoint of others.
Suma members actively seek out responsibility. They self-manage and involve themselves in the management and development of their business.
Suma members are flexible. They are responsive to the changing needs of their business.
Suma members are hardworking and have a can-do attitude. They monitor both the quality of their work and their productivity to ensure they meet member standard.
Listen in as we explore Beau’s work and strategies for cultivating democracy & collective responsibility.
In this episode of Punchcard, we sit down with Owen Powell, a lecturer and researcher with a focus on cooperative democracy. Owen first cut his teeth in the Young Cooperators Network, a national initiative formed by young people seeking cooperative alternatives to traditional economic models following the 2008 financial crash. Since then, he has completed a PhD that examined how larger and more established worker cooperatives maintain collectivist democracy over time.
In his PhD research, Owen identified 3 critical factors for strengthening cooperative democracy:
Member Induction, Integration, and Involvement
A Culture of Reviewing and Refreshing Established Norms
Bringing in Learning and Expertise from Outside
Owen remains deeply committed to the cooperative movement, actively contributing to workers.coop as a member of their research working group. The group has already published two significant reports on the organisation’s collectivist health, offering valuable insights into the sustainability of cooperative principles.
Join us as we explore Owen’s work and discuss how research can support and empower cooperatives to survive the winds of change.
In this episode Nacho speaks candidly about the highs & the lows of his & Carla’s 10 year journey with Black Cat Cafe. Even though from the outside Black Cat Cafe seems to be extremely successful Nacho shares about the constant challenges they faced – the difficulties paying members & staff fairly, and the set backs when trying to attract & retain worker members.
Nacho & Caleb also reflect on the lessons learnt & we celebrate what Black Cat Cafe has achieved – having become a landmark in the vegan, activist & cooperative scenes for its pioneering vegan cuisine & dedication to supporting its community & activists.
Black Cat Cafe may stop being a workers cooperative, but as Sam Nordland said in Episode 1 painting co-op business closures as failures isn’t always useful, because “we provided jobs for ourselves for a number of years & we introduced a lot of young people to working in a cooperative setting”.
