"an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly owned and democratically-controlled enterprise"
Members of a cooperative have both benefits and responsibilities. Benefits include access to goods or services, profits, and a voice in the operation of the cooperative. Members also have responsibilities such as paying dues, attending meetings, and participating in decision-making processes.
Cooperative Principles: Understanding the seven cooperative principles that guide the functioning of a cooperative enterprise.
Cooperative Governance: Understanding the structure and functioning of a cooperative's board of directors and how they make decisions.
Equity: Understanding the concept of equity and its importance in a cooperative enterprise.
Membership: Understanding the criteria for becoming a member of a cooperative and the benefits associated with membership.
Voting Rights: Understanding the rights of members in terms of voting on important decisions.
Profit Sharing: Understanding how profits are shared among members of a cooperative.
Member Participation: Understanding the importance of member participation in the decision-making process of a cooperative.
Member Responsibilities: Understanding the responsibilities that come with being a member of a cooperative, including financial commitments and attending meetings.
Membership Benefits: Understanding the various benefits associated with being a member of a cooperative, including discounts, access to services and products, and shared resources.
Social Responsibility: Understanding the importance of social responsibility in the functioning of a cooperative enterprise.
Access to quality products and services: Access to quality products and services refers to the ability of members to obtain goods and services of reliable and superior quality that meet their needs and expectations.
Member-only discounts and promotions: Member-only discounts and promotions refer to exclusive offers and special pricing given to individuals who have subscribed or joined a particular business or organization.
Share in the profits: "Share in the profits" refers to the practice of distributing a portion of the company's earnings among its members as a benefit or reward for their involvement and investment.
Democratic control and participation: Democratic control and participation refers to the involvement and decision-making power of all members in a business entity, allowing them to collectively shape and determine its direction and policies.
Education and training opportunities: Education and training opportunities in the context of Business and Member Benefits and Responsibilities refer to the programs and resources provided to empower individuals with knowledge and skills to enhance their professional development and contribute to the success of the organization.
Patronize the cooperative: Patronize the cooperative refers to actively supporting and utilizing the products or services offered by the cooperative as a member, contributing to its growth and success.
Attend annual meetings: The topic of Attend annual meetings entails the obligation for business members to actively participate in yearly gatherings to discuss and make decisions regarding the company's operations, achievements, and future goals.
Pay membership fees and dues: Paying membership fees and dues refers to the financial obligations of members towards a business or organization in exchange for access to benefits and services.
Abide by the cooperative's bylaws and policies: Abide by the cooperative's bylaws and policies: Members must adhere to the rules and regulations set out by the cooperative in order to maintain a cooperative working environment.
Participate in democratic decision-making: Participate in democratic decision-making: Involving members in the decision-making process to promote fairness, transparency, and active contribution towards the growth and management of the business.
"Cooperatives are democratically controlled by their members, with each member having one vote in electing the board of directors."
"consumer cooperatives, producer cooperatives, worker cooperatives, purchasing cooperatives, multi-stakeholder cooperatives, second- and third-tier cooperatives, and platform cooperatives."
"in 2012 approximately one billion people in 96 countries had become members of at least one cooperative."
"The turnover of the largest three hundred cooperatives in the world reached $2.2 trillion."
"twice the number of co-operatives (80%) surviving their first five years compared with other business ownership models (41%)"
"the Mondragon Corporation ... has been in continuous operation since 1956."
"in 2013, retail co-operatives in the UK invested 6.9% of their pre-tax profits in the communities in which they trade"
"through the use of a .coop domain"
"the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) introduced the Cooperative Marque, meaning ICA cooperatives and WOCCU credit unions can also be identified through a coop ethical consumerism label."