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Community in Action

Our chapters and community are at the heart of oikos International - without a well-connected and enthusiastic network, there is no oikos International! We want to build bridges between chapters and between chapters and oikos International so that we can strengthen each other (with new ideas, energy, motivation and support). Through this work, we can make sense of who is in our community, what they need and how these needs might be met.

Check out the different elements of our community work in the sections below:

Legislative Meetings (mandatory)

Take your vote and have a say in our Legislative Meetings!

The Legislative Meeting (LM) is hosted by oikos International twice a year (April & October). It is a space where important decisions are taken that have an influence on oikos International as the umbrella organization of oikos, as well as on the community at large. With our legal form as a Swiss association, it is necessary that our members (aka FULL chapters) democratically take certain decisions within the LMs. Each full chapter can send one representative to vote on behalf of their chapter, though any oikee is welcome to join the meetings (though without voting). Furthermore, Legislative Meetinga are a space to connect with other chapters and receive important updates you can take back to your chapter.

You will always receive the latest information about the upcoming LM in your oikos chapter inbox, so make sure to check it regulalry!

Depending on our possibilities, the meetings happen onsite (hybrid) or fully online.

Chapter Pathways

Accompanying the chapters on their journey.

The chapter pathways initiative has been created to accompany (y)our chapter’s development and provide a frame throughout the year. The chapter pathway initiative is an opportunity for our chapters to receive support as they practice and reflect on their leadership and development at the local level. We focus on the local chapter leaders and their teams.

There are 4 core elements to the chapter pathways initiative throughout the year:

Houses

Houses are peer group among chapters.

Why you should join house calls as a chapter lead or member:

get inspired by your peer-chapters!
have a safe space for exchange on learnings and experiences with other chapters
build your network in the community
be an active part of our international community by building strong, personal relationships
have a regular touchpoint with someone from oikos International

Current houses and house facilitators:

House facilitator

Chapters

Community Gatherings

Fostering community connection - onsite & online.

Beyond the chapter pathways formats which are meant to accompany active chapters, there a several platforms more focused on fostering the international community and mostly open to any oikee, new and old.

International Chapter Conference (ICC)

The International Chapter Conference (ICC) is an annual on-site conference, hosted and developed by one or a small group of local chapters. Any chapter can volunteer to host an ICC by either opening up an existing chapter event (e.g. conference, sustainability week etc.) to the international oikos community or by creating an event from scratch. oikos International supports the chapter team and contributes to the program with community-building activities that help the participants to connect and get inspired for the opportunities within the network.

Do you want to (co-)host an ICC at your chapter? Reach out to board@oikos-international.org and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

Regional Meetings

Chapters are encouraged to organize cross-chapter meetings in their region and invite fellow oikees to them. In the past, we regularly would have oikos Asia, Francophone or DACH meetings.

oikos International is happy to support with connecting chapters with each other and communicating about these self-organized events. Reach out to board@oikos-international.org for any support you may need.

oiConnect

oiConnects are local pop-up-events open to the whole community that can be hosted wherever oikees (both active & alumni) are based. The idea is to enable the community to self-organize. oiConnects can easily take place anywhere where the oikos community wants to come together. They can take different shapes and sizes, depending on individual needs and preferences of the hosts and participants. An oiConnect can be everything from casual drinks in a bar to a more extensive networking event. They are promoted and supported by oikos International using our communication channels.

oiConnects will be initiated by oiConnectors: individuals or a group of people, active oikees and/or alumni, who feel like hosting a networking event for one time or frequently.

oikos AGORA

Gathering as a community is a practice that is as old as humanity itself. Imagine living in old Greece in an urban community. Every week, the whole village came together to the central square to exchange, discuss and learn from each other. This space was called AGORA. How would an AGORA look today? oikos AGORA is our brand for virtual gatherings open to the oikos community. Stay informed on our event page for the next AGORAs to happen.

oikos Squads - Get engaged further

Squads are the focus groups where we have conversations that matter on topics that move the whole community, developing new concepts and solutions for everyone. oikos Squads are self-organized groups and projects that can take any shape around a focus topic related to sustainability. You are passionate about sustainable finance, want to learn more about mental health? Anyone can join or even open a squad!

Learn more about squads on our website!

oikos Camp