Cooperative Principles
Although co-ops continue to change, the principles with which they operate remain essentially the same
- Voluntary and open membership – anyone who wants to become a member can do so
- Democratic member control – members control the cooperative by electing its board of directors
- Member economic participation – contributing equitably to and democratically controlling their capital, margins or earnings are returned to members in proportion to the amount of business done with the cooperative
- Autonomy and independence – self-help organisations controlled by their members
- Continuing cooperative education, training and information – a duty to educate members and the public in general about the cooperative form of business as a unique and valuable part of the private enterprise system
- Cooperation among cooperatives – working together is one of the strengths of cooperatives
- Concern for community – while focusing on members’ needs, co-ops work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies approved by their members
These principles are developed further in the International Cooperative Alliance’s Statement on Cooperative Identity.
