8 Cooperative Principles
Voluntary and Open Membership
We are a voluntary organization; open to all persons able to use our services and willing to accept our responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political, or religious discrimination.
Democratic Member Control
Our cooperative is a democratic organization controlled by our members. We recognize that members have different motivations, needs, and expectations. Thus we encourage members to participate at a level and on the issues that they choose. People serving as elected representatives are accountable to the membership. In our primary cooperative members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote).
Member Economic Participation
Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control the capital of our cooperative. At least part of the capital is the common property of the cooperative. Members receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a condition of membership. Members, through their Board of Directors, allocate surpluses for any of the following purposes: developing their 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 of the cooperative.
Autonomy and Independence
Our cooperative is an autonomous, self-help organization controlled by our members. If our cooperative enters into agreements with other organizations, including governments, or raises capital from external sources, we do so on terms that ensure democratic control by our members and maintain our cooperative autonomy.
Education, Training, and Information
Our cooperative provides education and training for our members, elected representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of our cooperative. We have a responsibility to educate the local community about co-ops and cooperative principles. We inform the general public about the benefits of natural products.
Cooperation among Cooperatives
We believe that cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, regional, national, and international structures. As a part of the greater cooperative community, we work to strengthen and support other cooperatives.
Concern for Community
We seek to be a model of an environmentally aware, socially just, community-based business that uses responsible employment practices. We have an active role to play in the local community in building thriving sustainable relationships between members, the local community, and the environment. Our values and beliefs are integrated into all our interactions.
Respect for Diversity
Our cooperative is a friendly and inviting place that makes a difference in the lives of those who work and shop here. We respect the diversity, individual beliefs, and choices of members, staff, and potential members. We seek to provide an environment that incorporates customer input, furthers the goals of our business, and fosters individual growth.