Some co-ops today take co-op education for granted. They conduct pre-membership education seminar or PMES as a mere compliance for membership. It is done only once and there is no follow up similar to the previous seminar. Only a few co-ops do it. You don’t expect a person to learn at one sitting. That is why there is what we call membership education seminar after they become members. It is a continuous learning seminar for members in order to teach them or remind them of the co-op’s policies, and other relevant updates.
There are members who are giving problems in the co-op because of neglecting this important requirement. If we educate our members, then we can reduce the number of problem people that takes much time and cause unnecessary stress. Officers and managers should focus on solutions and managing their co-operative instead of pacifying unruly members. If our members know their roles, duties and responsibilities, it will not burden the management. More often than not, people becomes a problem due to lack of knowledge.
Education is one of the co-operative’s principles since its inception. Co-operative founders gave importance to the education of their members including their children because only the privileged have access to education during that time. So the mantra of the early cooperators is “educate, educate, educate”.
Co-op education has sailed the ocean of time and spread throughout the continents until it has become a universal principle. We cannot disassociate co-operativism with education. In fact, one of the success factors of co-ops is education – continuous learning and acquiring additional skills.
On the other hand, co-ops fail because some people think that because of their experience and academic achievement, they can manage a co-op. But that is not always the case. Me for example, being a lawyer does not mean I know the ins and outs of a co-op. I have to immerse myself in learning and going out into the co-ops to see how it is done in the front lines.
The co-op education and training fund is set aside for this purpose. It is for the education of the members. It is not for the the officers only. A portion of it should be used for the education of their members. You can teach them a lot of things such as the value of saving, the wise use of money among others. Give them the opportunity to learn or acquire skills for their livelihood activities and other lessons that gives them additional benefit.
The CDA has made it a mandatory requirement for officers to undergo two basic courses and yet, they are treating this as a burden rather than an opportunity to become better officers and managers. For the officers, take time to read your co-op by-laws because most of the important things on how run a co-op, is found there.
Let us therefore, educate ourselves, attend seminars and learn from other co-ops. This gives meaning on our membership in the co-op. We will be more committed, loyal and most of all, love our co-op all the more.
