On the occasion of the International Year of Cooperatives, this April we explain how participation fosters a sense of belonging and commitment among members, as well as fosters the empowerment of people through decision-making.
One of the key values of cooperativism is participation, since spaces are created for members to be the ones to decide on the future of their organization. Therefore, through it a horizontal and democratic governance model is promoted, where members participate in decision-making with equal rights and conditions.
Within the framework of the International Year of Cooperatives, decreed by the UN to highlight how we contribute to creating a better world, we have launched a campaign where each month we highlight a cooperative value and, for this reason, this month of April, we have emphasized the value of participation, since, beyond promoting a horizontal and democratic governance model, it empowers people with decision-making.
The Suara Cooperativa experience
In the case of Suara Cooperativa, the General Assembly is the highest decision-making body and is convened twice a year: in May, in person, and in November, virtually. "The assembly is a meeting place where we all come together to discuss things about the cooperative," explains Alexandra Vilardell, who works as a psychologist at Benestarum, a digital platform through which companies can promote the health and well-being of workers, in a report on the Suara website.
In May 2024, the General Assembly elected four members by vote for the Governing Council, which is the highest social body and is democratically elected by all members. Its main mission is to guarantee compliance with the policies approved by the Assembly, so it must establish general guidelines for action in accordance with them. In addition, it also has other notable functions: the representation and governance of the cooperative, as well as the permanent and direct control of the management and its management.
Participation spaces throughout the year
These participation spaces go beyond the Assembly, since at Suara, we previously hold General Assembly Preparation Spaces (EPAG) where members are explained the main points that will be put to the vote; while throughout the year, meetings are held between the Governing Council and members.
Beyond involving members in key issues that affect the cooperative, participation also fosters their sense of belonging to the organization. According to a commitment survey that 1,095 members of Suara Cooperativa responded to, 80% said they felt committed to the organization.
“I have been working in companies for many years and I have never had the right to decide. I do not work at Suara, I am Suara. Here, we are all Suara”, defends David Benito, a family worker in a home care service managed by the cooperative.
A model that we replicate with the working and served person
At Suara Cooperativa we understand that this participation must permeate all our actions and, for this reason, it is one of the four values inherent in our DNA. In this context, we seek to empower both working and served people by generating spaces for participation where their voice is heard and valued.
In the case of working people, we put their expertise and talent at the center of our action with the aim of allowing them to have autonomy in making decisions in their respective areas of work. In addition, we offer them training so that they can grow within the organization and, in this way, build their work and life projects.
Regarding the person served, we promote support that focuses on empowering them to lead their life processes through decision-making on issues that affect them in their day-to-day lives according to their reality and needs.
Do you also want committed people? Encourage active listening and participation, since through it, working and served people feel that their voice is valued in the construction of more just, egalitarian and equitable societies, whether in the workplace, personal or community spheres.
