Updated February 2009
Preface
Co-operative Values and Principles
South Austin Food Co-op (“the Co-op”) subscribes to the Statement on Co-operative Identity adopted by the Congress and General Assembly of the International Co-operative Alliance held in Manchester, England in 1995. The full text of the statement is given below.
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
1) Voluntary and Open Membership
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.
2) Democratic Member Control
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 also organized in a democratic manner.
3) 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.
4) Autonomy and Independence
Co-operatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If they enter to 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.
5) 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 cooperation.
6) 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.
7) Concern for Community
Co-operatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies approved by their members.
Additional Principles
The Co-op subscribed to the following additional principles:
1) Participatory self-management
The Co-op aspires to achieve a fair and just outcome through decision-making in accord with the norm of participatory self-management: that those affected by a given decision be granted a say or influence in proportion to the degree they are affected. Although the Co-op strongly encourages the participation of all member-owners, exercise of one’s say shall be purely voluntary, and the Co-op will never pressure, coerce, or otherwise attempt to compel an individual to participate to a degree greater than they wish.
2) Living Wage
When financially able, the Co-op shall pay no less than a living wage (determined by the formula of the Universal Living Wage Campaign) to any of its WMOS.
3) Sustainability
The productive resources of our environment are finite and many are non-renewable. They can be thought of as loaned to us from future generations. In all aspects of our operation we endeavor to fulfill our desires without compromising the ability of future generations to do the same.
4) Privacy
Through the course of our operation, certain information may be gathered on the membership. Such information collection will always be voluntary (opt-in), and the information will remain the sole property of the individual in question. Except when compelled by law, the Co-op will never share or sell member-owner information.