FOOD CO-OP DIALOGUE STUDIO -- What do we mean by "political"?
Exploring the questions that matter most to the future of food co-ops.
DIALOGUE PROMPT: What do we mean when we describe something as "political"—and how does that shape what we believe is appropriate for a co-op?
THE PITCH:
Food co-ops are no strangers to important conversations. Yet some of the questions that matter most are often the hardest to explore. They're complex, deeply held, or hidden within assumptions we've rarely had the opportunity to examine together.
These monthly Dialogue Studios are an invitation to pause, listen, and think together. Rather than debates, presentations, or problem-solving sessions, these dialogues create space for thoughtful inquiry into the ideas, language, and assumptions that shape the food co-op movement.
Each month we'll explore a timely question facing food co-ops—from governance and leadership to belonging, participation, affordability, and the future of our movement. These are the conversations many of us are already having in aisles, meeting rooms, conferences, and over coffee, but now with the time and structure to explore them more deeply.
Whether you're a board director, manager, consultant, or longtime cooperator, you'll join peers from across the movement in a dialogue grounded in curiosity, thoughtful listening, and a shared commitment to inquiry and learning.
THE FORMAT:
Each session is designed as a highly participatory experience.
The Dialogue Studio will use a format, in which a small group engages in dialogue while others listen with focused attention. Participants may rotate in and out of the small group as they feel called to contribute, allowing multiple voices to influence the dialogue’s trajectory. This structure encourages deep listening, reduces cross-talk and debate, and creates space for reflection before response. It enables participants to experience dialogue both as active contributors and as attentive witnesses to collective thinking in motion.
Each session will begin with a brief orientation to dialogue practices and shared agreements, followed by guided inquiry using the selected prompt.
Facilitators will support participants in listening for assumptions, patterns, and emerging insight, and in responding with curiosity rather than advocacy. Sessions will close with a short period of collective reflection, allowing participants to integrate learning and articulate takeaways for their own leadership contexts.
HOSTS AND FACILITATORS:
JON STEINMAN, Educator and Dialogue Facilitator, Cooperative Dialogue (Grocery Story Press)
Jon is the founder of Cooperative Dialogue and an Accredited Professional Dialogue Practitioner (APDP) through the Academy of Professional Dialogue. He combines his expertise in dialogue with his work as a food co-op educator and consultant, leading workshops and dialogic experiences that foster collaboration, strengthen workplace communication, and deepen member engagement.
From 2006 to 2016, Jon served on the board of Kootenay Co-op, Canada's largest natural foods retail co-op, including as Board President from 2014 to 2016. He is the author of Grocery Story: The Promise of Food Co-ops in the Age of Grocery Giants (New Society Publishers). Through Grocery Story Press, he publishes resources that support food co-op growth and development, including THIS COULD BE OURS – a PHOTO ALBUM to inspire your food co-op dream, the Food Co-op Finder mobile and web apps, and an ongoing series of webinars and syndicated content.
cooperativedialogue.com | grocerystory.coop
LAURA KING, Trusted Advisor | Leadership Coach | Change Partner
Laura works with organizations and individuals across North America. She specializes in helping leaders at cooperative, and non-profit organizations co-create environments where individuals and teams thrive on connection, dialogue, and transparency. Drawing from 20 years of leadership experience in Human Resources at cooperatives, coaching, mediation and communication, she has a gift for helping integrate authenticity into leadership practices to cultivate greater collaboration and possibilities for trust.
Her leadership learning circles support leaders in professional and personal growth for greater clarity, confidence and success. She co-hosts a free monthly drop-in group for new and experienced cooperative HR professionals to share, support and learn in a casual way.
Find out more about upcoming circles, retreats, and opportunities here or emailing laura@laurakingconsulting.com