The Power of We - Celebrating Connection and Collective Power at CPA’s MA Annual Meeting
This year’s CPA MA Annual Meeting was our second yearly gathering as a new cooperative of organizations and supporters building power through our collective spending. But it was also more than that. Together, we created a space to celebrate the power of “we.” From the moment attendees arrived at the historic Trinity Church Boston, the energy was electric. Conversations flowed easily, old friends reconnected, and new partnerships began to form.
“The second people walked in, it was friendly. People were excited to be there,” shared Tom Reid, the MA Engagement Director, who attended his first Annual Meeting this year. “People willingly jumped in to contribute, and the room was hopping with conversations.”
The open, collaborative spirit carried through every part of the afternoon where participants shared heartfelt testimonials during an inspiring panel discussion featuring diverse voices from across the co-op network. “The security that I feel, knowing that CPA has got my back, has given me the space that I need to be able to do the work of a non-profit,” said Dr. Jeanette Callahan, a pediatrician, panel participant and co-founder of The Wellness Collaborative, Inc.
For Julieta Biegner, CPA’s Energy Program Director, one of the highlights of the meeting was hearing directly from members about the real impact CPA is having in their communities. “The testimonials were one of the high points,” she said. “People see a vision for the co-op and feel like they’re a part of what we’re doing. They were championing the co-op through their own experiences.”
Each story reflected how the co-op’s work goes beyond saving money and creates opportunities to build a better world through new relationships rooted in cooperation and solidarity. Tom noted that this came to life during the panel discussion, where representatives from Emmanuel Church and Trinity Church (organizations located just blocks apart but rarely connected) found common ground and connection through the co-op’s peer groups. “It was exciting to see how we can use the power of we to solve problems together,” Tom mentioned.
Throughout the event, members took advantage of the opportunity to deepen relationships with one another and spark new collaborations. Tom shared how meaningful it was to finally meet Kevin from Trinity Church, someone he’d worked with on several energy contracts. “He’s seen the benefit of the co-op and was championing it to others,” Tom explained. “Seeing the value of our work reflected back through those conversations was really encouraging.”
As CPA continues to grow, both Tom and Julieta expressed excitement about what’s next. Looking forward, Tom is eager to continue expanding outreach and engagement efforts. He hopes to see even more people involved in the work next year. “We’ve got momentum, and it’s only going to build from here,” he said.
Julieta echoed that sense of optimism. “Hearing from people about why the co-op matters was really powerful,” she said. “We’d love to see more organizations become member-owners and continue building this community in Massachusetts together.”
As the meeting wrapped up, with plenty of food, laughter, and meaningful conversations, one thing was clear: CPA’s strength lies in its people. The members, staff, and partners who show up, share openly, and believe in the co-op’s mission are what make this work possible.
