Cooperative Values
Self Help
The use of one's own efforts and resources to achieve things without relying on others.
Self Responsibility
The accountability of individuals for their actions.
Democracy
The type governance which emanates from the members; a form of management in which the supreme power is vested in the coop members and exercised directly by them.
Equality
The state of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities.
Equity
The value of being fair and impartial.
Solidarity
The awareness of shared interests, objectives, standards, and sympathies creating a psychological sense of unity within a cooperative.
Cooperative Principles
VOLUNTARY & OPEN MEMBERSHIP
Which implies that anyone can join a co-op; and that there is no discrimination based on gender, social, racial, political or religious factors.
DEMOCRATIC MEMBER CONTROL
Which states that members control their business by deciding how it's run and who leads it.
MEMBER'S ECONOMIC PARTICIPATION
States that all co-op members invest in their cooperative. This means people, not shareholders, benefit from a co-op's profits.
AUTONOMY & INDEPENDENCE
Means that when making business deals or raising money, co-ops never compromise their autonomy or democratic member control.
EDUCATION, TRAINING AND INFORMATION
Under this principle 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 general public, particularly young people and opinion leaders, about the nature and benefits of cooperation
COOPERATION AMONG COOPERATIVES
Implies that cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional, and international structures.
CONCERN FOR COMMUNITY
Proposes that while focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities thorugh policies accepted by their members.