Nº. 1439 - Doutrina Cooperativista

1st Principle: Voluntary and Open Membership.

     Cooperatives are voluntary organizations, open to all persons and able to use their services
     willing to accept the responsabilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political,
     or religous discrimination.

2nd Principle: 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 membership. In primary cooperatives, members have equal voting rights (one
      member one vote), and cooperatives at other levels are also organized in a democratic manner.

3rd Principle: Member Eonomic Participation.

      Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their 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
      their cooperative; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the cooperative;
      and supporting other activties approved by the membership.

4th Principle: Autonomy and Independence.

      Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If they enter
      into agreements with other oganizations, including governments, or raise capital from external
      sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and mantain their
     cooperative autonomy.

5th Principle: Education, Training, and Information.

      Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives,
      managers, and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their
      cooperatives. They inform the general public - particularly young people and opinion leaders -
      about the nature and benefits of cooperative.

6th Principle: Cooperation among cooperatives.

      Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by
      working together through local, national, regional, and international structures.

7th Principle: Concern for Community.
     
      While focusing on member needs and wishes, cooperatives work for the sustainable development
      of their commuities.

Nau