Who can join ?

Radical Routes is made up of Co-operatives, i.e. individuals and other groups cannot join (although they can become an associate member), it is your co-op that joins (i.e. your limited company). There is nothing to stop you going through the joining procedure just as a group of friends wanting to set up a housing co-op or business or whatever, but to actually join you must be a legally registered co-op with a set of rules and everything that that entails. Many groups therefore get accepted to Radical Routes provisionally and then register the legal structure at the last minute. Sometimes this is because there are running costs that are incurred just by existing as a co-op.

Radical Routes is very particular about who it accepts, we're pretty hard line co-operators. You must be a fully mutual co-op, your rules will be checked to make sure you cannot run off with the cash. You must be committed to positive social change and we will want to know what you do about it, being a card carrying member of greenpeace is not enough: each of your members actually has to spend a significant amount of time working towards a better world. You have to show that you are committed to a low impact lifestyle.

Why should we Join Radical Routes ?

The main benefits that you get when joining Radical Routes are a supportive mutual aid structure and cheap loans. To be honest most members join for the cheap loans which are essential for many small independant co-ops. However, many members find that as their co-op and their role in Radical Routes develop, other benefits emerge through the mutual aid ethos which is at the heart of the network.

How do we join Radical Routes ?

Joining is a fairly long procedure. It takes 3 consecutive gatherings and there is a set procedure to follow. You don't, however, have to do anything before your first gathering. You may wish to contact the Co-op Support Group (CSG) on 0845 330 4517 to brief them that you will be there and to ask any questions you have before the gathering, but the main thing to do is to attend the gathering. A copy of the agenda which contains all the information you need about how to get there (as well as the business of the day) is available from Footprint Workers Co-op (0113 262 4408).

Once at the gathering, about 5 minutes into the first business meeting, after all the introductions and housekeeping notices, new groups will be whisked away by a member of the Internal Communications Group for an Introduction to Radical Routes and information on how to join. You can Download a PDF of the section of the members pack that refers to joining if you like. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to read this file.