October 2022 digital edition

Join in
with
Join In Live
IT’S ONE OF THE
BEST WAYS THAT
I KNOW FOR
DIRECTORS TO
HEAR DIRECTLY
FROM MEMBERS
WHO, AFTER
ALL, ARE THE
ONES WHO OWN
THE BUSINESS
By Susan Press
Co-op Group members and customers are being
invited to take part in a national conversation
about policy and priorities as mounting
challenges face the country.
For the first time since 2019, Join In Live is
hitting the road, and meeting with members
and customers in London and Glasgow.
But although lockdown is over, some of its
innovations remain: members still have the
chance to contribute to the discussion via two
online events on Zoom and make themselves
heard as the Group gets to grips with the cost of
living crisis.
Board members, Group leaders and National
Members’ Council (NMC) representatives will
be present at every event to carefully listen to
people’s views on the way ahead in difficult
circumstances.
Democratic projects and services manager,
Simon Plunkett, oversees key events such as
the recent Co-op AGM in May and liaises all year
round with the NMC.
He said: “These are clearly challenging
times and one of the main roles of Council is to
represent members and meet them face to face
so they can give authentic feedback. That’s why
events like Join In Live are very important.”
“As usual, we will be keen to share the
latest news about our half-yearly performance
update, which is published every year in
October. However, although we have an agenda
it is all member-led, broad brush and not
too prescriptive.”
The online events are continuing because
“they were so successful during the pandemic”,
says Plunkett, with more than 200 people
taking part.
“It’s also important that people who can’t make
it in person have a real say,” he adds. “Whether
online or face to face, the Council was very keen
that these events had a reporting focus, sharing
updates from members of the leadership team
about our performance and priorities, and there
will also be an opportunity to share ideas about
new community partnerships.”
At live Q&A sessions, members and customers
can put questions to board members on the
Group’s recent performance and plans for
the future, and there will be a round-table
conversation between NMC members and
Member Pioneer co-ordinators to pick up on the
latest developments.
Despite the economic challenges facing
the Group, its customers and members, basic
principles like tackling inequalities and climate
change are still very much high on the agenda.
Plunkett says: “Our 10-point climate plan
will be very, very key to discussions. And our
members are always interested in Fairtrade and
how we can still live sustainably and affordably
44 | OCTOBER 2022