My name is Adam and I have been working with an organization dedicated to developing and educating about worker co-operatives, the Valley Alliance of Worker Co-operatives (www.valleyworker.org). I represent my collective, Collective Copies, and I've been active in this group from its beginning about 4 years ago, have a strong passion for it and love the work; and even some 'mundane' tasks like accounting and press releases offer me excitement watching this organization grow.
Many other representatives from other co-ops can only find time to attend monthly meetings and can contribute little outside of this. This is okay by me. What I feel happening sometimes is deference to or preference of following the core group of people who show up pretty much every month. I see this doesn't light everyone's fire like it does mine and a couple others in the group. I also see that I am excitable in meetings and have some strong beliefs but I sincerely do not want people to take my word for it and go along with me or be seen as a central figure. I am usually very clear about wanting someone else to speak at an event or represent us at a conference or workshop instead of me and support those who do, but I'm wary that there is more I can do. In fact I view much of our work developing inside everybody the expectation of valuing their own opinion and understanding those of others, even and especially if it's less experienced.
My question concerns resources on being a part of a not-for-profit membership organization that doesn't operate on formal or informal hierarchies. I am aware of many in the for profit realm, but many of these of course assume the shared interest of the business. What have others done to integrate the opinions and encourage activity of others aside from asking for it? Are there books or journals about tools and awarenesses for an individual to know when organizing?
Many thanks in advance,
Adam Trott