STATEMENT ON THE COOPERATIVE IDENTITY
DEFINITION
A cooperative is an autonomous association of persons united
voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs
and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled
enterprise.
VALUES
Cooperatives are based on the values of self-help,
self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity, and solidarity. In
the tradition of their founders, cooperative members believe in the
ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility and caring
for others.
PRINCIPLES
The cooperative principles are guidelines by which cooperatives put their values into practice.
- Voluntary and Open Membership. Cooperatives are
voluntary organizations, 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.
- Democratic Member Control. Cooperative societies are
democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively
participate in setting their policies and making decisions. Persons
serving as elected representatives are accountable to the membership.
Members of primary cooperatives have equal voting rights (one member,
one vote).
- 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.
- Autonomy and Independence. Cooperatives are autonomous,
self-help organizations controlled by their members. If they enter into
agreements with other organizations, 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.
- Education, Training, and Information. All cooperative
societies should make provisions for the education of their members,
officers, and employees, and of the general public in the principles
and techniques of cooperation, both economic and democratic.
- Cooperation among Cooperatives. Cooperatives serve
their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement
by working together through local, national, regional, and
international structures.
- Concern for Community. Cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies approved by their members.
(SCA recognizes the next two principles which are accepted by many other co-ops but are not part of the official ICA version.)
- Honest Business Practices. Cooperatives should deal openly, honestly, and honorably with their members and the general public.
- Ultimate aim is to advance the Common Good. All cooperatives should aid in the participatory definition and advancement of the common good.
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