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Glossary of Electric & Telecommunication Terms - April 2016
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7 Cooperative Principles
Voluntary & Open Membership
Cooperatives are voluntary organizations; open to all per-
sons to use their services and willing to accept the
responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial,
political, or religious discrimination.
Democratic Member Control
Cooperatives 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 cooperatives, members have
equal voting rights (one member, one vote) and
cooperatives at other levels are organized in a democratic
manner.
Members’ Economic Participation
The members contribute equitably to, and democratically
control, the capital of their cooperative. At least part of
that capital is usually the common property of the
cooperative. 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 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 approved
by the membership.