| The essentials
of a worker's co-operative |
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| So, not only is Essential Trading a wholefood wholesaler, we are the largest worker co-operative in the South West of England, and one of the largest in the UK as a whole. What does this mean for us as a business? | |
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Values: Co-operatives are based on the values of: |
In the tradition
of their founders, co-operative members believe in the ethical values of: |
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In order to put these well-meaning
values into practice, co-operatives
are guided by the: |
| The SEVEN PRINCIPLES of co-operation |
These principles are the guidelines by which co-operatives such as Essential put their values into practice: |
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1st Principle: Voluntary
and Open Membership |
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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. |
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2nd Principle: Democratic Member Control |
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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. |
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3rd Principle: Member Economic Participation |
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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 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. |
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4th Principle: Autonomy and Independence |
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Co-operatives are autonomous, self-help
organisations controlled by their members. If they enter to 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. |
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5th Principle: Education, Training
and Information |
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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 opinion leaders - about the nature and benefits of
co-operation. |
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6th Principle: Co-operation among Co-operatives |
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Co-operatives serve their members
most effectively and strengthen the co-operative movement by working
together through local, national, regional and international structures. |
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7th Principle: Concern for Community |
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Co-operatives work for the sustainable
development of their communities through policies approved by their
members. |
So, co-operation is a wonderful thing. |