COOP

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.

Autonomy and Independence

A cooperative is an___________________________

autonomous association of persons united to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations.

Worker owned cooperative

businesses owned and controlled by their employees.

Credit Unions have over __________ members and assets in excess of $100 billion.

eighty million

Producer-owned cooperative

owned by farmers, producers,or small businesses.

Cooperative

A business that belongs to people who have organized to provide themselves with the goods and services they need.

The Rochdale Equitable Pioneers Society was established in Rochdale, England. These pioneers wrote down a set of principles to operate their food cooperative, which contributed to their success and spread to other cooperatives around the world.

1844

The state of Michigan passed what is believed to be the first law recognizing the cooperative method of buying and selling.

1865

How many different cooperatives provide more than 120 million Americans with a wide range of goods and services?

48,000 different cooperatives

The first successful cooperative was organized in the United States when Benjamin Franklin formed the Philadelphia Contributionship for the Insurance of House from Loss by Fire-the oldest continuing cooperative in the US.

1752

Cooperatives provide

Business services, childcare, credit and personal financial services, employment, equipment, utilities, food, and others.

While focusing on member needs , cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies accepted by their members.

Concern for Community

Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional, and international structures.

Cooperation among Cooperatives

The co-op is governed through a democratic process that gives members ultimate authority over the co-op.

Democracy

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.

Democratic Member Control

When did some of the early cooperation probably occur?

During group animal hunts

Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperatives.

Education, Training and Information

Consumer owned cooperative

Enable consumers to secure a wide array of goods and services. For example healthcare.

All co-op members have equal rights and responsibilities and all members are entitled to be treated impartially and fairly.

Equality and Equity

Members contribute equitably 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.

Member Economic Participation

How many cooperatives have annual sales in excess of $1 billion?

More than twenty cooperatives

Cooperatives are based on what values?

Self-help and Self-responsibility

Through the cooperative, members play an active role in meeting their own needs and accept responsibility for guiding their cooperative.

Self-help and self-responsibility

Co-ops members work together cooperatively to achieve the greater good for all the members and for the cooperative enterprise itself.

Solidarity

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.

Voluntary and Open Membership.

How many percent of farmers products in the US are marketed through cooperatives?

thirty percent