| One:
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. |
| Two:
Democratic Member Control |
|
Cooperatives
are
democratic organizations 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
organized
in a democratic manner. |
| Three:
Members' Economic Participation |
|
Members contribute
equally to, and democratically control, the capital of their
cooperative. At least part of that capital is usually the common
property of the cooperative. They 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
the 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. |
| Four:
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. |
| Five:
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
general public - particularly young people and opinion leaders - about
the nature and benefits of cooperations. |
| Six:
Cooperation Among Cooperatives |
|
Cooperatives serve
their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement
by working together through local, national, regional, and
international structures. |
| Seven:
Concern for Community |
|
While focusing on
member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development for
their communities through policies accepted by their members |
We
embrace and live by these principles
|
