Cooperative Movement Thesis/Outline
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[edit] Cooperative Movement Research Paper - Cooperative Movement Thesis/Outline - Cooperative Movement Annotated Bibliography - StablerResume - StablerBlog
Erselle Stabler 04-21-2008 Cooperative Movements Outline
[edit] Thesis: Cooperative businesses create sustainable communities
1.0 History of Cooperatives
•1750- Cheese makers cooperatives in France •Mutual Fire insurance society in London, UK •The first U.S. cooperative was established by Benjamin Franklin and others in Philadelphia as fire insurance company. •Groups of individuals decides there is an economic need, where a group can achieve this need better than the individual alone. •The group forms, they establish a cooperative structure, with leadership in place, they create rules and follow through on action. •The group grows when others become inspired by the plan of action and join in on the plan. •“As cooperatives of a particular type or in a particular sector demonstrate their effectiveness in meeting member needs groups of people involved in other sectors decide that the cooperative form may also be of assistance to them” (pg.115 Historical dictionary of cooperative movement)
[edit] Abstract
The cooperative movement is a very humane, sustainable, and realistic approach to doing business in today’s world. I intend in this paper to discuss the positive principles behind the cooperative movement. These principles are the backbone of a business structure that supports humanity to exist in a large and densely populated world, to transcend inequality, where there is enough supply and integrity for all (abundance). Social capital, or trust, production and the efficacy of peoples work together is also a staple of the cooperative movement. A cooperative is defined by the International Cooperative Alliance as a group of people who join together in a common undertaking, in accord with the seven principles as follows (ICA, 1999):
[edit] Statement on the Co-operative Identity
Source: http://www.ica.coop/coop/principles.html
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.
Source: http://www.ica.coop/coop/principles.html
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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 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.
[edit] 4th Principle: Autonomy and Independence
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.
[edit] 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 opinion leaders - about the nature and benefits of co-operation.
[edit] 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.
[edit] 7th Principle: Concern for Community
Co-operatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies approved by their members.
7.0 Why Sustainable?
8.0 Why community?
