What Is A Coop?

[Carol]

What is a co-op, and what does it mean to me?
http://www.ebytown.ca/history.html

Co-operatives are founded on a common idea. The idea is that people, no matter what economic class or educational level, know what's best for themselves. People can work together to meet their own needs.

Co-operatives and credit unions are owned and operated by members. This means co-ops are democratically controlled. Each member had one vote, regardless of how much investment is made in the co-operative or credit union. Generally, co-ops and credit unions are community-based organizations.

Co-op members are responsible neither to outside owners, nor to government. They are responsible to their own members. The members decide how the co-op or credit union will be run, what changes should be made if any, elect the board of directors, and decide what should be done with any surplus (profit) that is generated in co-op enterprises. In non-profit co-operatives, although the members do not own the co-op-- the co-op owns itself-- the members direct the day to day operations of the co-operative.

Co-ops and credit unions are the best example of how democratic principles can be applied to economic life. Co-operation means people working together to meet common goals and needs. Co-operatives provide opportunities for people to direct what happens in all aspects of their lives. Within a co-operative, people find strength in collective action and the powerful motivation of mutual support.

http://www.cooperativegrocer.coop/cg_coops.html

VALUES
Cooperatives are based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity, and solidarity. In the tradition of their founders, cooperative members believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility, and caring for others.

PRINCIPLES
The cooperative principles are guidelines by which cooperatives put their values into practice.

First Principle: 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.

Second Principle: 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.

Third Principle: Member Economic Participation
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. Members allocate surpluses for any of 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.

Fourth Principle: 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.

Fifth Principle: 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 cooperation.

Sixth Principle: Cooperation among Co-operatives
Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional, and international structures.

Seventh Principle: Concern for Community
While focusing on members needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies accepted by their members. Adopted in Manchester (UK) by the General Assembly of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA). 23 September 1995, on the occasion of the Alliance's Centenary. The Statement was the product of a lengthy process of consultation involving thousands of cooperatives around the world.

http://www.localharvest.org/
Food Co-op Directory

GEO: Grassroots economic organizing
The Newsletter for Democratic Workplaces and Globalization from Below.
http://www.geo.coop/


How to Start a Co-op
http://www.ncga.coop/about/coops/gettingstarted

History of Wicker Park, Chicago Co-op
http://www.wickerparkfoodcoop.org/pages/history.html

http://www.newfarm.org/index.shtml

Farmer-to-Farmer know-how from the Rodale Institute.