| For example, CHF Canada
states that:
"Housing co-operatives exist for their members’ common benefit. 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, but they were last revised in 1995 by the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA). They guide the co-operative movement throughout the world.
Housing co-operatives are committed to giving service of the best quality they can at a fair price. Canadian housing co-operatives hold certain aims in common:
- to meet their members’ needs
- to be good citizens in the wider community
- to create and conserve housing for future generations."
Core Values
We are guided by the following values.
They influence our conduct both collectively as an organization, and
individually as employees, directors and members of our community. We
strive to have our actions reflect these values, demonstrate personal
accountability and be publicly defensible.
- We conduct ourselves
ethically and with integrity.
- We show respect for
others in our words and actions.
- We act in the spirit of
community and co-operation.
- We respect all members as
equals.
- We strive for personal
growth and continual learning.
Statement of
Co-operative Identity
The Statement on Co-operative Identity was
adopted at the 1995 General Assembly of the International Co-operative
Alliance (ICA), held in Manchester on the occasion of the Alliance's
Centenary. The Statement was the product of a lengthy process of
consultation involving thousands of co-operatives around the world.
The International Co-Operative Alliance Statement
On The Co-Operative Identity
Definition
A co-operative is 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.
Values
Co-operatives are based on the values of
self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity, and
solidarity. In the tradition of their founders, co-operative members
believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility,
and caring for others.
Principles
The co-operative principles are guidelines by
which co-operatives put their values into practice.
Co-operatives are voluntary organizations, 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.
Co-operatives are democratic organizations
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 organized in a democratic manner.
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. They
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 the 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.
Co-operatives are autonomous, self-help
organizations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements
with other organizations, 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.
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.
Co-operatives serve their members most
effectively and strengthen the co-operative movement by working together
through local, national, regional, and international structures.
While focusing on member needs, co-operatives
work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies
accepted by their members. Adopted in Manchester (UK) 23 September 1995
Comments: please e-mail and I will post them.
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