7 Cooperative Principles
Cooperatives around the world generally operate according to the same core principles and values, adopted by the International Co-operative Alliance in 1995. Cooperatives trace the roots of these principles to the first modern cooperative founded in Rochdale, England in 1844.
1. Voluntary and Open MembershipCooperatives are voluntary organizations, open to all people able to use its services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination.
2. Democratic Member ControlCooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members—those who buy the goods or use the services of the cooperative—who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions.
3. Members' Economic ParticipationMembers contribute equally to, and democratically control, the capital of the cooperative. This benefits members in proportion to the business they conduct with the cooperative rather than on the capital invested.
4. Autonomy and IndependenceCooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If the co-op enters into agreements with other organizations or raises capital from external sources, it is done so based on terms that ensure democratic control by the members and maintains the cooperative’s autonomy.
5. Education, Training and InformationCooperatives provide education and training for members, elected representatives, managers and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperative. Members also inform the general public about the nature and benefits of cooperatives.
6. Cooperation among CooperativesCooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures.
7. Concern for CommunityWhile focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of communities through policies and programs accepted by the members.
Integration of Technology in Implementing the 7 Principles Effectively
Cooperatives around the world generally operate according to the same core of network where resources and information canbe easily delivered in a manner of it needs.
1. Using Technologies and Cooperative Work To Improve Oral, Writing, and Thinking Skills
2. Promotes the connection between people at various levels and in several ways.
3. Information provided on the Web, following a hypermedia structure, but with a dominant amount of text, provides opportunities for the development of written comprehension.
4. Utilize cloud computing to improve responsiveness by making additional IT resources available immediately, but only for as long as they are needed. The additional services are supplied on a pay-as-you-go basis, so that the company does not require investment funding.
5. Technology can improve organizational responsiveness and flexibility, support greater collaboration
6. With the development of email, texting, and the wide variety of social media technologies, consumers demand an almost immediate response--and IT services can provide that immediate communication effectively and inexpensively.
7. With the development of email, texting, and the wide variety of social media technologies, consumers demand an almost immediate response--and IT services can provide that immediate communication effectively and inexpensively.
