General Discussion

Luminous Animal

(27,310 posts)

36. Actually, not so. A well-run co-op will have a strong framework for participation.

Fri Jan 11, 2013, 11:51 PM

Jan 2013

Meetings will have an agenda and a facilitator whose task would be to keep maintain the agenda and the rules. If new ideas do crop up, they will be put on the agenda for the next meeting. I have, in the past, been a member of a consensus organization that had meetings of 300-400 people every week. We employed a modified version of Roberts Rules Of Order which the membership respected. Being loud, pushy, and talking over other people was against the rules. We were able to advance several items on the agenda every week which was pretty remarkable for such a large group.

Co-ops are not for everyone. Type A people usually don't bother applying and when they do, are ordinarily screened out. If they do squeak by and end up getting hired, they don't last long due to the fact that participating in the democratic process really is not in their nature.

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Which type of workplace would you prefer to work in? [View all] Ken Burch Jan 2013 OP

I would rather be my own boss. Kalidurga Jan 2013 #1

That is a nice idea, and I've been thinking about why I didn't include it in the options. Ken Burch Jan 2013 #13

I work for myself. Mostly in my home and with animals who think... Walk away Jan 2013 #2

And you're lucky to be able to do that. Congratulations. Ken Burch Jan 2013 #18

It's not easy. I have been offered many opportunities to grow my business in the past... Walk away Jan 2013 #38

I choose cooperative, but.... NRaleighLiberal Jan 2013 #3

Glad to hear it. Ken Burch Jan 2013 #16

Other: my happiest time was... Speck Tater Jan 2013 #4

The last thing we need librabear Jan 2013 #5

That sounds like what Otis Redding was singing about so many years ago Art_from_Ark Jan 2013 #6

1)You're assuming a SINGLE boss can always articulate her or his needs. Ken Burch Jan 2013 #17

That's exactly why I prefer the elected manager option. Odin2005 Jan 2013 #23

It would be a blend of these for me Mopar151 Jan 2013 #7

Cooperative management sounds good on paper rucky Jan 2013 #8

I'm currently working in a place like that and it's working out quite well Posteritatis Jan 2013 #19

The conventional hierarchal workplace 1-Old-Man Jan 2013 #9

Had it not occurred to you that, possibly, the reason so many of your co-workers weren't interested Ken Burch Jan 2013 #12

Mondragon Co-op operating for near 60 years, employing 84,000 people. Luminous Animal Jan 2013 #10

THIS! And as elaborated upon by Richard Wolff in Ron Green Jan 2013 #35

Ahh, participative management. moondust Jan 2013 #11

What? No anarcho syndicalist commune? FarCenter Jan 2013 #14

"Dennis, there's some lovely filth over here". n/t. Ken Burch Jan 2013 #15

At this point I'd just be happy to go back to work. MrSlayer Jan 2013 #20

That is understandable, and I think we all hope you can get back to work. Ken Burch Jan 2013 #21

The elected manager. Odin2005 Jan 2013 #22

Well, collective management usually involves its own equivalent of parliamentary procedure Ken Burch Jan 2013 #24

Work is highly overrated as a pastime. Tierra_y_Libertad Jan 2013 #25

None other than... Harry_Scrote Jan 2013 #26

I like working in an environment in which someone has commandeered the radio, plays the 2on2u Jan 2013 #27

What about an environment where a co-worker in a badly-wrinkled shirt Ken Burch Jan 2013 #28

It's amazing how a nondescript basement worker can levy revenge on such uppity 2on2u Jan 2013 #29

Not a "waste the boss" type. myself...what you CAN say, though, is that Milton was a real example Ken Burch Jan 2013 #30

And they certainly do push, fortunately I refuse to reach my breaking point.... I just pack it 2on2u Jan 2013 #31

That's why you and I haven't BECOME Milton...yet. Ken Burch Jan 2013 #32

The problem with cooperative management and management by concensus is that loud pushy people Nikia Jan 2013 #33

Actually, not so. A well-run co-op will have a strong framework for participation. Luminous Animal Jan 2013 #36

I believe in evolution FreeJoe Jan 2013 #34

See post #10. Luminous Animal Jan 2013 #37

Yes, but... FreeJoe Jan 2013 #39