{"id":9608,"date":"2021-05-13T17:01:01","date_gmt":"2021-05-13T21:01:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.woodsworthcoop.ca\/?p=9608"},"modified":"2025-11-08T21:50:26","modified_gmt":"2025-11-09T02:50:26","slug":"co-op-principles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.woodsworthcoop.ca\/index.php\/co-op-principles\/","title":{"rendered":"Co-op Principles"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many types of businesses are set up as co-operatives. There are farm co-ops, food co-ops, co-op daycares, housing co-ops, credit unions, worker co-ops, and so on. In 1995, the International Co-operative Alliance<\/strong> accepted these principles for all co-operatives. The seven principles are guidelines for co-ops to put their values into practice. They have been reworded for housing co-ops.<\/p>\n

1 – Voluntary & Open Membership<\/strong>
\nCo-op membership is open to everyone who needs the services of
\nthe co-op and who accepts the responsibilities of membership. The
\nboard of directors must not discriminate against anyone and must
\nrespect human rights.<\/p>\n

2 – Democratic Member Control
\n<\/strong>Members control their co-op. Together they set rules and policies,
\nmake decisions and elect leaders who report to them. Each member
\nof a co-op has one vote. All members have an equal say in managing
\ntheir co-op.<\/p>\n

3 – Economic Participation
\n<\/strong>All members contribute fairly to the co-op. \u00a0The co-op holds any surplus for the future or uses it to improve the co-op\u2019s services.<\/p>\n

4 – Independence<\/strong>
\nCo-ops are independent associations. They follow the laws that apply to them and their agreements with the governments and other organizations. But the members control the co-operative.<\/p>\n

5 – Co-operative Education<\/strong>
\nEvery co-op is responsible for o\ufb00ering training to its members, directors and sta\ufb00. Co-ops should also tell the public what they are and what they do.<\/p>\n

6 – Cooperation among Cooperatives<\/strong>
\nCo-ops work together to serve their members through local, national and international structures.<\/p>\n

7 – Concern for Community
\n<\/strong>Co-ops meet members\u2019 needs in ways that build lasting communities inside and outside each co-op.<\/p>\n

For more information, see this from the Co-op Housing Federation of Canada (CHFC):<\/p>\n\n\t\t

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