Joining a cooperative means starting a relationship with an organization and other members. Knowledge of the service catalogue is only part of the route. It is necessary to understand how to ask for assistance, where to find information and what responsibilities accompany participation.
I propose a reception organized around the first real activities. A new retailer may need to use logistics, read a report, or know contact persons for a request. A general presentation helps, but must be linked to these concrete steps.
Documents should be accessible and up to date. A summary can orient the reading, referring to the complete acts for conditions and rules. Operational information should be distinguished from informal interpretations circulating in the network and may not describe actual operation.
The International Cooperative Alliance calls for training and information among the cooperative principles. In this perspective, the reception can be verified after the first months: does the member know how to use the services and recognize the decision paths? The reported difficulties make it possible to improve the next insertion. Making the network understandable supports conscious participation and reduces errors that depend on information that has remained implicit.