Three booklets on elements of cooperative organising were produced by LUCOOP in 2022. Each booklet is intended to provide practical support and guidance for those interested in participating in cooperative organising. We recommend these resources as an alternative to mainstream management texts and guides. The three booklets are available online for free (under Creative Commons licensing). Hard copies of the booklets are also available for purchase via Dog Section Press.
1 – Power
Power is an unavoidable element of organising. Frequently emphasis is placed on practices of ‘power over’ such as hierarchies, coercion, and control. This booklet offers an alternative to these approaches and instead explores how other elements of power – such as ‘power to’ and ‘power with’ – can be harnessed for cooperative organising for mutual benefit.
2 – Governance
All organisations are realised through legal forms and administrative structures. This booklet offers guidance on the adaptation of existing structures and creation of new structures for cooperative organising.
3 – Strategy
Strategy is how organisations realise their goals. Most strategizing assumes clear leaders have authority to make decision that maximize profits. This booklet rethinks the ‘how’ of strategizing to promote more democratic forms of strategic organisation that emphasise social and environmental value.