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Decentralisation

Democratic principles are highly important to RECOCARNO and apply throughout the organisational structure.

Meetings are more frequent between the Board and society Delegates. Before, only the Board knew what was happening, now delegates are also kept informed and they ask some pertinent questions during meetings. Magalie Marcellin, SDO

If member farmers know that they have a voice in the organisation, they are effective in both shaping RECOCARNO’s direction and communicating decisions and information to all the members. In practice this is carried out by delegates as it would be impractical for each member to participate at all levels individually.
 

When RECOCARNO was first formed, numbers were small enough to allow individual participation at the RECOCARNO level. Now that many more have joined, each of the cooperatives has adopted the new, RECOCARNO-wide form of decentralised, democratic structure.

The Local Assembly etc (describe the various bodies) replicated throughout each coop though a different number of LA s depending on the size of the coop and how widely dispersed the habitations are etc.
 

The advantages of this are:

  • The organisation is not becoming more impersonal and out-of-touch as it grows in line with its success.
  • The Local Assembly promotes an active interest in the affairs of the cooperative and, because the delegate structure is effective, in the affairs of RECOCARNO as a whole.
  • There is wholehearted participation in programmes sponsored by RECOCARNO because the Local Assemblies are integral parts of each community.
    Local Assemblies already have a proven track in implementing initiatives such as training to improve coffee production and literacy, and are able to form ad hoc structures to carry forward these initiatives within their own areas.