You'll find all sorts of organisations listed as co-operatives on our website - playgroups, credit unions, big companies and community groups. What is it that they all have in common? Might you be a member of a co-operative - and not even know it?
It isn't about the legal form that you use - unincorporated clubs, companies and friendly societies might all be co-ops, or not - it's about the way you work together and the principles that guide your business.
All co-ops, everywhere in the world, follow certain agreed principles:
- If it concerns you, you have a right to join. Co-operatives welcome new members who have, or could have, a stake in the business. Who has a stake depends on the purpose of the co-op. So a co-op whose main purpose is to supply groceries to customers, like the The Co-operative Group foodstores, must welcome any of its customers into membership. A company that exists to provide employment, such as Essential Wholefoods, must welcome any of its employees into membership.
- Members run the business democratically - one member, one vote. Big co-ops may have a management committee who take most of the decisions, but only if that's what the members choose, and if that committee is elected by all the members.
- When a co-op makes a profit, the members agree what to do with the surplus cash. At least some of it will stay in the business, to help it grow and serve future members. If any is distributed to members, it will be done in a fair way.
- Co-operatives are always independent, and don't take orders from government, other businesses or anyone else. They are there to serve their members.
- Co-ops try to make sure that as many people as possible understand what co-operation is all about, and why it is a better way of doing things.
- Co-operatives work together to get things done, in order to better serve their members interests.
- Co-operatives try to be respectful of the environment, and work for sustainable development around the world.
Does that sound like you? If you are part of a co-op and didn't know it, welcome to the family! We look forward to hearing from you.