Thank you to those who joined our latest Co-op Circle gathering! We’re excited about the energy, connections, and shared commitment to cooperative work. Below is a recap of what we covered, key updates, and ways to get involved.

Mission & Group Agreements

We revisited our mission and shared the group agreements crafted from the last gathering - thank you for your input! If you’d like to share additional thoughts please reach out.

Co-op Columbus Mission

Co-op Columbus empowers individuals and communities by fostering solidarity, spreading awareness of co-op models and values, and supporting the development of cooperative enterprises.

Co-op Circle Agreements

We intend to:

Grow the cooperative ecosystem in Central Ohio and beyond, and to be a place where people are seen, heard, and valued. 

We strive to:

1. Connect and create community

2. Be anti-racist and inclusive

3. Provide mutual respect and care

4. Collaborate and support each other

5. Be intentional & open

6. Learn and act together

Updates & Resource Sharing

We took time to share updates, resources, and opportunities within our co-op community. There’s so much happening, and it’s inspiring to see the connections forming! If you have additional updates or resources to share, let us know.

• Creative Grants – The Greater Columbus Arts Council and Aminah Robinson Residency applications are open for next year! The Urban Arts Council is also interested in hosting/coordinating events.

• New Co-op Columbus Discord – A space for organizing and tech support. More info coming soon.

• Real Estate & Trades Meet-Up – Exploring cooperative models in housing and trade work. Let us know if you're interested!

• Fire Department Collaboration – Connecting with the fire department for community efforts.

• Co-op Housing for Youth – Dreaming up a housing co-op for youth exiting houselessness.

• Immigration Support – Get connected with resources for immigrant communities.

• Allied Coffee Comedy Show – A co-op-sponsored event happening Feb 21 in Westerville.

• Central Ohio Labor Council Training – Free Labor 101 Training in Reynoldsburg on Feb 28 (morning) and March 28 (afternoon) – see attached flyer below for more info.

• Massage Therapy for Survivors of Trafficking – Looking for space and bodyworkers interested in liberation work.

• WGRN Economic Update Podcast – Hosted by left-leaning economist Richard Wolff.

• Galaxy Coffee – A café working toward becoming a worker co-op!

• Co-op Circle Newsletter – The first issue is out! Looking for ways for more folks to contribute.

• Bronzeville Food Co-op – Over 900 surveys completed, with 500+ interested volunteers—momentum is building!

• Co-op Housing Pilot with Motherful – The first listening session happened! Lots of interest from mothers to develop a co-housing/shared housing project

Sociocracy, Subcircles & Ways to Get Involved

We learned about sociocracy - the idea of organizing into subcircles to deepen our work while keeping decision-making autonomous, egalitarian and collaborative. The following subcircles were proposed and formed:

• Housing – Exploring cooperative and community-owned models.

• Technology – Supporting digital tools for organizing.

• Communications – Includes newsletter, art/messaging, and storytelling.

• Worker-Owned Co-ops – Supporting worker-led businesses.

• Belonging & Wellness – Focusing on holistic community care.

• Resources/Finances – Exploring funding and leveraging resources (idea stage only).

Each subcircle will have a lead and co-lead to keep momentum going and connect back to the larger co-op circle. Read more about sociocracy at the bottom of this email!

Next Steps & Looking Ahead

• Subcircle Charters – Each subcircle will complete their charter, outlining their purpose and key objectives.

• Next Co-op Circle Meeting – We meet every two months - next gathering in April (date TBD).

Closing Reflections & Excitements from the Meeting

💡 Creative ways to communicate
🌿 Excited for the whole thing - good vibes and great connections
🔧 Looking forward to organizing tech tools & resources
🚀 Feeling inspired by the direction we’re taking

If you want more information on anything that was shared, or if you’re interested in joining a subcircle or getting more involved, reply to this email or reach out!

Looking forward to building together,
Co-op Circle Team

🌱 Introducing Sociocracy: A Guide for Our Co-op Circle

What is Sociocracy?

Sociocracy is a governance model that promotes inclusivity and efficiency in decision-making. It helps groups share power, make clear decisions, and stay connected through distributed power and structured collaboration.

Key Principles to Start With:

1. Consent Decision-Making – Decisions are made when there are no paramount objections, ensuring that all voices are heard without requiring full consensus.

2. Circle Structure – Work is organized into small, purpose-driven teams (subcircles) that make decisions within their domain.

3. Double-Linking – Each subcircle has two representatives:

• Leader: Ensures alignment with the larger group.

• Delegate: Represents the subcircle’s voice in the larger group, ensuring two-way communication.

4. Feedback Loops – Regular check-ins with the larger circle to ensure that processes stay effective and adaptable.

How We’ll Implement Sociocracy

• Start small by using consent decision-making in one or two areas.

• Establish subcircles (e.g., Technology, Communications, Housing) with clear purposes.

• Assign double-links to improve communication between subcircles and the larger circle.

• Regularly review and adjust processes based on feedback.

📌 Next Steps:

• Test consent decision-making in future meetings.

• Identify subcircles and assign initial roles.

• Gather feedback and refine our process.

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