A summary of the Co-operative Movement
Housing co-operatives exist for their members’ common benefit; they are controlled by their residents, who are members with a voice and a vote in decisions about their housing. There is no outside landlord. Co-op housing offers a home, not an investment. Like other co-operatives they promote individual responsibility, mutual help, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity.
In the tradition of their founders, Co-ops try to embody the ethical values of honesty, openness and concern for others and for the wider society. Housing co-operatives pursue their aims and give expression to their values by acting on seven principles. These principles date back to the 1840s and the Rochdale Pioneers after the founding of the first successful retail co-operative in Toad Lane Rochdale. A group of retail societies then registered the North of England co-operative Society with the aim of supporting the growing retail consumer co-operative movement.
In 1872 the group became the Co-operative Wholesale Society and serves its member societies by purchasing goods in bulk, enabling the hundreds of co-operatives across the country to take advantage of their collective strength. It opened factories to provide the co-ops with goods and develops services like banking and insurance to support their operations, never losing sight of the fact it exists to serve the needs of its ordinary members. From that first shop, a worldwide movement developed.
The 'rules' agreed by the Rochdale Pioneers helped guide their business and, although they have been changed slightly to meet the needs of businesses today, they are still the hallmark of co-operatives throughout the world
The 7 Principles were last revised in 1995 by the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA). They are guidelines by which co-operatives put their values into practice.
1st Principle: Voluntary and Open Membership
Co-operatives are voluntary organisations, 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.
2nd Principle: Democratic Member Control
Co-operatives are democratic organisations 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 co-operatives members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote), and co-operatives at other levels are also organised in a democratic manner.
3rd Principle: Member Economic Participation
Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their co-operative. At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the co-operative. Members usually receive a limited compensation if any on capital subscribed as a condition of membership. Members allocate surpluses for any or all of the following purposes: developing their co-operative, possibly by setting up reserves, part of which at least would be indivisible; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the co-operative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership.
4th Principle: Autonomy and Independence
Co-operatives are autonomous, self-help organisations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organisations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their co-operative autonomy.
5th Principle: Education, Training and Information
Co-operatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their co-operatives. They inform the general public - particularly young people and option leaders - about the nature and benefits of co-operation.
6th Principle: Co-operation Among Co-operatives
Co-operatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the co-operative movement by working together through local, national, regional, and international structures.
7th Principle: Concern for Community
Co-operatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies approved by their members.
These seven principles guide the co-operative movement throughout the world.
And today
The Co-operative Group today is the one of the largest consumer co-operative organisation in the world. The Co-operative Group operates across numerous business fields - including retail, travel, funerals and insurance. The Co-op is best known by the public for our stores which are operated by Co-operative Retail and as part of the Co-operative Movement is one of the best known retail chains in the country.
The above information is taken from the Co-operative movement website at
www.co-op.co.uk
Housing co-operatives exist for their members’ common benefit; they are controlled by their residents, who are members with a voice and a vote in decisions about their housing. There is no outside landlord. Co-op housing offers a home, not an investment. Like other co-operatives they promote individual responsibility, mutual help, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity.
In the tradition of their founders, Co-ops try to embody the ethical values of honesty, openness and concern for others and for the wider society. Housing co-operatives pursue their aims and give expression to their values by acting on seven principles. These principles date back to the 1840s and the Rochdale Pioneers after the founding of the first successful retail co-operative in Toad Lane Rochdale. A group of retail societies then registered the North of England co-operative Society with the aim of supporting the growing retail consumer co-operative movement.
In 1872 the group became the Co-operative Wholesale Society and serves its member societies by purchasing goods in bulk, enabling the hundreds of co-operatives across the country to take advantage of their collective strength. It opened factories to provide the co-ops with goods and develops services like banking and insurance to support their operations, never losing sight of the fact it exists to serve the needs of its ordinary members. From that first shop, a worldwide movement developed.
The 'rules' agreed by the Rochdale Pioneers helped guide their business and, although they have been changed slightly to meet the needs of businesses today, they are still the hallmark of co-operatives throughout the world
The 7 Principles were last revised in 1995 by the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA). They are guidelines by which co-operatives put their values into practice.
1st Principle: Voluntary and Open Membership
Co-operatives are voluntary organisations, 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.
2nd Principle: Democratic Member Control
Co-operatives are democratic organisations 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 co-operatives members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote), and co-operatives at other levels are also organised in a democratic manner.
3rd Principle: Member Economic Participation
Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their co-operative. At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the co-operative. Members usually receive a limited compensation if any on capital subscribed as a condition of membership. Members allocate surpluses for any or all of the following purposes: developing their co-operative, possibly by setting up reserves, part of which at least would be indivisible; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the co-operative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership.
4th Principle: Autonomy and Independence
Co-operatives are autonomous, self-help organisations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organisations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their co-operative autonomy.
5th Principle: Education, Training and Information
Co-operatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their co-operatives. They inform the general public - particularly young people and option leaders - about the nature and benefits of co-operation.
6th Principle: Co-operation Among Co-operatives
Co-operatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the co-operative movement by working together through local, national, regional, and international structures.
7th Principle: Concern for Community
Co-operatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies approved by their members.
These seven principles guide the co-operative movement throughout the world.
And today
The Co-operative Group today is the one of the largest consumer co-operative organisation in the world. The Co-operative Group operates across numerous business fields - including retail, travel, funerals and insurance. The Co-op is best known by the public for our stores which are operated by Co-operative Retail and as part of the Co-operative Movement is one of the best known retail chains in the country.
The above information is taken from the Co-operative movement website at
www.co-op.co.uk