Joining Radical Routes
Who can join?
Radical Routes is made up of member co-operatives, so individuals and other groups cannot join, although they can become supporters. The network also has associates – co-ops that support the aims and principles of Radical Routes, without the commitment of being full members.
You can begin the joining process as a group planning to set up a co-op. To complete the process, you’ll need to be legally registered as a co-op and have a set of secondary rules in place. However, your membership can still be accepted while registration is pending.
To apply to join Radical Routes, your application will be reviewed by the existing member co-ops.
Your group must be a fully mutual registered co-operative, and you should be actively committed to positive social change. Member co-ops will want to understand the work you do, so it’s important that your members are genuinely working toward creating a better world. As part of this mutual aid network, your co-op must also be prepared to meet the work commitment required by Radical Routes.
Why Should we join radical routes?
The main benefits that you get when joining Radical Routes are a supportive mutual aid structure and accessible loans to support you to buy a property.
How Do We Join Radical Routes?
The joining process takes a minimum of 6 months, as the co-op has to attend 3 quarterly gatherings and there is a set procedure to follow (see image to the right). You don’t, however, have to do anything before your first gathering.
You may wish to contact the Co-op Support Group 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: Secretarial Working Group.
Once at the gathering, about 10 minutes into the first business meeting, after all the introductions and housekeeping notices, new groups will be whisked away by a member of the Co-op Support Group for an Introduction to Radical Routes and information on how to join.
You can download the joining checklist here.
WHAT IS AN ASSOCIATE?
Associates are mutual co-ops in common ownership (including all entities subscribing to the co-operative principles and organising as if they are in common ownership) that wish to engage in the work of Radical Routes but do not want the commitment of being full members.
Associates pay a quarterly service payment (currently £22.72) and receive minutes & agendas. They are listed in the directory and on the website, where they can update their own entries and add newsflashes.
Although they can contribute to discussions, Associates cannot block agreement of proposals and they cannot apply for a loan. While there are no obligations to attend gatherings or contribute work, many Associates do. Listed members of the Trading Co-ops Network must be either Associates or Full Members.
HOW DO YOU BECOME AN ASSOCIATE?
- Make sure at least one co-op member has attended an ‘Introduction to Radical Routes’ workshop (usually this would be at a gathering).
- Send a one-page summary about your co-op — including members, activities, and future plans — to the Secretarial Working Group. This will be added to the agenda for the gathering where you want to apply as an associate. Your summary must state you are applying as an associate and include:
A statement confirming your commitment to Radical Routes’ Aims and Principles.
An explanation of how your co-op will contribute to Radical Routes.
- Do a presentation to a gathering to introduce yourselves.
Send your Primary Rules or Articles of Association to the Secretarial Working Group.
Set up a standing order for your service payments.
