Who can join ?

Radical Routes is made up of mutual* Co-operatives in common ownership**, i.e. individuals and other groups cannot join as Ordinary Members or Associates. However they can join as Supporters (£15/quarter) and, from May 2022, individuals and other organisations can join as Investor Members (£50 minimum investment).

Also - all gatherings are open.  If you want to come along and get involved, you can just do that.

Who can join as a Member ?

Legally registered co-operatives can join as Ordinary members (i.e. your limited company or society). There is nothing to stop you starting the joining procedure just as a group of friends wanting to set up a housing co-op or business or whatever, but at the point you join you must be a legally registered co-op with a set of rules and everything which that entails. Some groups apply to join before they're registered and get accepted to Radical Routes provisionally while they're awaing registration. Sometimes this is because there are running costs that are incurred just by existing as a co-op/legal entity, sometimes it's because they just can't wait to join and their co-op registration is taking a while.

Radical Routes is very particular about who it accepts, we're pretty hard line co-operators, actively working for change. You must be a fully mutual co-op in common ownership, 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 on activities in line with the Aims & Principles of RR. 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.

Getting involved in the work of Radical Routes is a great learning experience - you will pick up knowledge and skills and develop working relationships with others in the network.

How do we join Radical Routes ?

Joining is a fairly long procedure, because you need to know what you're letting yourself in for and we need to know that your coop is committed to turning up to quarterly gatherings.

It takes a minimum of 3 consecutive gatherings (i.e six months - attend two gatherings and apply to join at your third) and there is a set procedure to follow. You don't have to do anything before your first gathering.

When you register to attend the gathering (via The Next Gathering) you can let us know that you're a new group.  There may be an option (especially if the gathering is online) to ask for a buddy - take this up, it's helpful to have a person you know you can keep asking questions of. You will receive a link to the agenda which contains all the information you need about how to get there (as well as the business of the day).  You can also get a printed copy from Footprint Workers Co-op (0113 262 4408)

There are introductory workshops that you need to attend.

Online Gatherings
If the gatherings are online, the **Introductory Weekend is the weekend before the business gathering**. 

In-person Gatherings
About 15 minutes into the Saturday morning business meeting, after all the introductions and housekeeping notices, new groups will be whisked away by a member of the Co-op Support Group (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) for an Introduction to Radical Routes and information on how to join, followed by a New Groups meeting for all those who do want to join or are already in the process.  Download a PDF of the section of the members pack that refers to joining. 

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.
• Associate Members pay a quarterly service payment (minimum £8.75) 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 Members.

That first point leaves a bit of leeway for unregistered co-ops to become Associates.  But you do need to write yourselves a constitution that covers all the Co-operative Principles.

How do you become an Associate ?

• Make sure at least one member has attended an ‘Introduction to Radical Routes’ workshop. Most usually this would be at a gathering, but a Radical Routes joining visit to your co-op is also be possible.
• Join the Radical Routes email list.
• Send one page of information about the co-op (members, activities, plans etc.) to the Secretarial Group for inclusion into a gathering agenda, making it clear that you wish to apply for associate membership. This must include a statement declaring their commitment to the Radical Routes Aims and Principles and explaining how you will contribute to Radical Routes. This can either be for a gathering before you wish to join or for the gathering at which you wish to join.
• Do a presentation to a gathering to introduce yourselves.
• Send your Primary Rules or Articles of Association (or your Constitution if you're not registered) to the Secretary.
• Set up a standing order for your service payments.

Glossary

* Mutual = all users are members and all members are users (eg tenants in a housing co-op or workers in a workers co-op).  No one who isn't personally affected interferes in the governance of the co-op

** Common Ownership = the assets of the co-op can't be given to the members or shared amongs the members if the co-op dissolves - instead any remaining assets would be passed on to another co-op in common ownership and remain in the commonwealth.