Cooperative Governance: An Introduction to Sociocracy

Event Summary

• Date 25/11/26
• Time 13:00
• Location Teams Meeting
• Categories Governance

About the event

This session explores how the ways we come together, make decisions and share power can either reinforce or challenge inequality. Rooted in co-operative values and inspired by Rochdale’s co-operative heritage, the session introduces sociocratic approaches that promote inclusion, belonging, shared responsibility and more equitable participation in groups and organisations.

Participants will develop an understanding of how power dynamics, meeting practices and governance structures influence whose voices are heard, and will explore practical sociocratic tools that support collaborative decision making, learning and action.
Four conversations about co-operative governance

Led by Rochdale Borough Council as part of the Co-operative Councils’ Innovation Network

Good governance is not only about structures and decisions. It is also about whose views are heard, how people work through disagreement, and whether communities have a meaningful part in shaping what happens next.
This four-part online series brings practical approaches to those questions. Join colleagues from across local government to explore Deep Democracy, relational public practice and sociocracy — then come back together in January to share what you have tried and what you have learned.

Attend the sessions most relevant to your work, or follow the full series.