Overview
Federations and apex organizations exist to strengthen individual cooperatives by offering services, advocacy, education, networking, and collective bargaining power. However, the true value of a federation depends on active participation by its member cooperatives. Simply joining is not enough—cooperatives must engage meaningfully to maximize the benefits and collective strength of the movement.
This best practice provides guidance for two audiences:
- Cooperatives that are already members of federations and want to maximize the value of their membership.
- Cooperatives not yet part of a federation who want to understand how federation participation and Principle 6 tools can strengthen their impact.
Core Tactics:
- Appoint a Federation Engagement Lead.
Assign a staff member, board member, or member leader to serve as the cooperative’s formal liaison to your federation(s). Responsibilities include:- Attending federation meetings and trainings
- Sharing federation updates internally
- Bringing federation resources into your local operations and strategy
- Leverage Federation Services Strategically.
Many federations offer valuable, often underutilized services:- Joint marketing and awareness campaigns
- Legal, insurance, and group purchasing services
- Advocacy initiatives and policy representation
- Leadership and board development programs
- Audit federation offerings annually and align them to your cooperative’s goals.
- Participate Actively in Federation Governance.
- Vote in federation elections
- Nominate candidates for federation leadership roles
- Engage in shaping federation policies and strategic plans
- If You Are Not Currently in a Federation: Evaluate the Opportunities.
Even if your cooperative is not part of a federation today, joining one can provide:- Collective advocacy power
- Economies of scale in purchasing and services
- Greater visibility and credibility for your cooperative
- A larger community of learning, collaboration, and shared resources
- Research sector-specific, regional, or national federations that align with your mission.
- Leverage Principle 6 to Maximize Federation Participation.
Whether you are already a federation member or considering joining, Principle 6 offers tools to enhance your participation:- Member Benefit Statement: Show clear, quantifiable member value, strengthening internal engagement and federation storytelling.
- Benchmarking Tools: Compare your cooperative’s impact against regional, sectoral, and national benchmarks to drive strategic improvement.
- Dynamic Knowledge Bank: Access and contribute to a living library of cooperative best practices across regions and sectors.
- Collaborative Communities and Discussion Boards: Engage in dialogue, share challenges, and find cooperative solutions alongside federation partners.
- By using Principle 6 resources, your cooperative can actively contribute to federation networks, demonstrate leadership, and elevate both your own impact and the strength of the collective movement.
- Showcase Federation Value to Your Members.
Help your members understand:- How federation participation benefits them directly
- How collective cooperative action strengthens local economies and democratic ownership
- Measure and Report Federation Engagement Annually.
Track and report internally:- Federation meetings attended
- Federation services used
- Staff or board participation in federation activities
- Contributions to federation leadership and advocacy
By embracing federation participation and using Principle 6 tools strategically, cooperatives can amplify their influence, deepen member value, and build a more connected and resilient cooperative economy.