A co-operative is an independent enterprise that is owned and controlled by its members.
Co-operative members can be customers, employees, residents, or suppliers. Co-ops were originally formed in opposition to exploitative employment practices in the 19th century and remain an important business model which benefit members, not just owners. There are several different co-op models.
A workers co-operative is a business owned and run by workers. Workers have an equal say in how the business is run and how profits are spent.
Co-op Values
Co-ops set out their rules and procedures using internationally agreed core values and principles;
–Caring for others: showing care for community and environment
–Democracy: all members have a say on how the business functions
–Equity: trading/functioning fairly and without bias
–Equality: all members have one vote
–Honesty: sharing experiences/practices
–Openness: being accessible and available
–Self help: supporting others in helping themselves
–Self responsibility: being accountable
–Solidarity: working with other co-ops
–Social responsibility: looking at the bigger picture
Cooperative Principles
The principles guide cooperatives in putting their values into practice.
Co-ops:
-are owned and controlled by its members, run for the benefit of its members, and with voluntary and open membership
-are democratic, all members have an equal say in the running of the business and how profits are used. Members are active in setting policy, procedures, and decision making
-ensure every member contributes to the co-op financially, this can be indifferent ways such as investment, buying products, working with the co-op, or deciding how profits are spent
-are independentbusinesses, owned and controlled by its members
–offer education and training to its members and others to develop, support and promote the co-op and to highlight the benefits of working collaboratively
–work with other co-ops
–support communities it works with through its actions and policies
What is a workers co-operative?
A co-operative is an independent enterprise that is owned and controlled by its members.
Co-operative members can be customers, employees, residents, or suppliers. Co-ops were originally formed in opposition to exploitative employment practices in the 19th century and remain an important business model which benefit members, not just owners. There are several different co-op models.
A workers co-operative is a business owned and run by workers. Workers have an equal say in how the business is run and how profits are spent.
Co-op Values
Co-ops set out their rules and procedures using internationally agreed core values and principles;
–Caring for others: showing care for community and environment
–Democracy: all members have a say on how the business functions
–Equity: trading/functioning fairly and without bias
–Equality: all members have one vote
–Honesty: sharing experiences/practices
–Openness: being accessible and available
–Self help: supporting others in helping themselves
–Self responsibility: being accountable
–Solidarity: working with other co-ops
–Social responsibility: looking at the bigger picture
Cooperative Principles
The principles guide cooperatives in putting their values into practice.
Co-ops:
-are owned and controlled by its members, run for the benefit of its members, and with voluntary and open membership
-are democratic, all members have an equal say in the running of the business and how profits are used. Members are active in setting policy, procedures, and decision making
-ensure every member contributes to the co-op financially, this can be indifferent ways such as investment, buying products, working with the co-op, or deciding how profits are spent
-are independent businesses, owned and controlled by its members
–offer education and training to its members and others to develop, support and promote the co-op and to highlight the benefits of working collaboratively
–work with other co-ops
–support communities it works with through its actions and policies