From Daniel Smith, President/CEO of Cooperative Network
PUBLISHED ON
MADISON, Wis. — Many years ago, my high school football coach filled countless hours lecturing my teammates and I on the value of putting the team first, working toward a common goal, equally sharing victories and defeats, and performing to our best capabilities. We won more games than we lost, so I am pretty sure he knew what he was talking about.
I’m reminded of this when I hear talk of our fractured society, divided on both principle and policy, pursuing partisan victories over the common good, each side so certain their way is the right way – the only way – to heal what ails us. The Art of Compromise has gone the way of the old Wing-T formation. No wonder even minor agreements are so hard to come by.
As the head of a cooperative trade association, “cooperative” is a word I use frequently, both as a noun and as an adjective. As a noun, it means a business owned by members who equally share risk and reward. As an adjective, it means mutual assistance toward a common goal. The opposite of cooperative is division, and division, in government and society, is paralyzing.
Centuries ago, the Cooperative Business Model formed to meet emerging needs of the populace. Rural electrification, agricultural production, processing, marketing, telephone and telecommunications, housing, finance, healthcare, and many other essential services were developed through the spirit of cooperation, under the umbrella of cooperatives. The common good, not individualism, not personal power, or wealth, took precedence. Like my high school playing days, that all seems so very long ago.
Cooperatives are required, under The Seven Cooperative Principles, to cooperate with each other. Cooperative Network exists to facilitate this cooperation, across sectors and state lines, providing mutual assistance toward a common goal. Emerging challenges in the care economy, housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and other areas can be met provided we rediscover cooperation within our institutions and help cooperatives lead the way.
The only thing we all appear to agree on is there is a tremendous amount of work to be done to revitalize our communities economically, socially, and culturally. Then we all run our own offense and hope our defense can shut the other side down. Maybe that is why it always seems like the clock is running out and the game is tied.
Cooperatives have a long record of accomplishment earned via cooperation. To continue, cooperation must defeat partisanship. Be it as adjective or noun, “cooperative” is our best game plan for the future.
Cooperative Network – The Trusted Voice for Cooperatives – is committed to protecting and promoting Wisconsin and Minnesota cooperative businesses and their shared cooperative principles by providing legislative advocacy, education, public awareness, and development services. Cooperatives interested in joining Cooperative Network can contact Daniel Smith at Dan@cooperativenetwork.coop. Visit cooperativenetwork.coop or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or YouTube for more information.
–Daniel Smith, President/CEO
Cooperative Network
