Olympic Cooperative Network’s Statement on Inclusivity and Equity

The Olympic Cooperative Network (OCN) is a self-organizing member-directed network fostering the creation, growth, and sustainability of local cooperatives.  In doing so, the network strives to support cooperatives in embodying cooperative values and principles. 

OCN believes that a healthy cooperative actively practices inclusivity and respect for the diverse experiences of its members, particularly those members from historically marginalized communities.   Core foundational principles of all cooperatives include democratic member control and concern for community expressed in structures and policies that allow for member participation  in significant decisions that affect the organization as a whole.

OCN recognizes that we all have much to learn, both individually and collectively, in addressing social privilege and power in our organizations, especially power rooted in historical injustices.  We are investigating how we can bring resources to the network’s cooperatives for cultivating stronger member engagement skills and practices, for developing policies and practices that carry out cooperatives’ concern for community, and for navigating conflicts in respectful ways. 

As a community-supported network working to build a more cooperative economy, we believe that when there are complex and difficult issues to work through we should facilitate support for learning and improving as individual cooperatives and as a networked cooperative community while sustaining our economic support for all cooperatives.

Please join us in working together to plan for one or more cooperative community forums that can help us all do a better job of cultivating relationships that are more equitable, fair and open to difference.