0807aa7f-fd00-48af-9332-fd50585ccc25 (1) - Flipbook - Page 6
Our principles
As a Cooperative, we are governed
by the seven Cooperative principles,
guidelines by which Cooperatives
put their values into practice.
VOLUNTARY & OPEN
MEMBERSHIP
DEMOCRATIC
MEMBER
CONTROL
COOP
ER
AT
I
NT
ME
ER
W
OPENNES
S
EM
PO
EDUCATION, TRAINING
& INFORMATION
SSION
PA
COOPERATION
AMONG
COOPERATIVES
N
IO
IT
N
N
O
RE
CO
G
CONCERN
FOR
COMMUNITY
AUTONOMY &
INDEPENDENCE
MEMBER
ECONOMIC
PARTICIPATION
1. Voluntary and Open Membership Cooperatives are voluntary organisations, open to all
persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership,
without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination.
2. Democratic Member Control Cooperatives are democratic organisations controlled
by their members, who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions.
Men and women serving as elected representatives are accountable to the membership.
In primary Cooperatives members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote) and
Cooperatives at other levels are also organised in a democratic manner.
3. Member Economic Participation Members contribute equitably to, and democratically
control, the capital of their Cooperative. At least part of that capital is usually the common
property of the Cooperative. Members usually receive limited compensation, if any, on
capital subscribed as a condition of membership. Members allocate surpluses for any
or all of the following purposes: developing their Cooperative, possibly by setting up
reserves, part of which at least would be indivisible; benefiting members in proportion to
their transactions with the Cooperative; and supporting other activities approved by the
membership.
4. Autonomy and Independence Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organisations
controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organisations,
including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that
ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their Cooperative autonomy.
5. Education, Training, and Information Cooperatives provide education and training for
their members, elected representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute
effectively to the development of their Cooperatives. They inform the public - particularly
young people and opinion leaders - about the nature and benefits of cooperation.
6. Cooperation among Cooperatives Cooperatives serve their members most effectively
and strengthen the Cooperative movement by working together through local, national,
regional and international structures.
7. Concern for Community Cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their
communities through policies approved by their members.
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OUR BLUEPRINT