Co-operation among Co-operatives and Concern for Community

7. Co-operation among Co-operatives, and Concern for Community

The last two principles look outward — one to other co-operatives, the other to the wider society.

Sixth principle — Co-operation among Co-operatives. Co-operatives serve their members most effectively, and strengthen the whole movement, by working together through local, regional, national and international structures. The idea is that individual co-operatives should not act in isolation or compete wastefully with one another; instead they should co-operate with each other. A primary credit society, for example, links up with a district central co-operative bank, which in turn links with the state co-operative bank — a chain of co-operatives helping co-operatives. Such collaboration lets small societies pool their strength, share resources and expertise, and stand together. In effect, the principle of co-operation is applied to co-operatives themselves: unity among them makes each one stronger.

Seventh principle — Concern for Community. While a co-operative focuses on the needs of its members, it also works for the sustainable development of the community in which it operates, through policies approved by its members. A co-operative is rooted in its locality and draws its members from it, so it has a natural responsibility towards that community. This concern may show itself in protecting the local environment, supporting local welfare and development, creating employment, and generally contributing to the well-being of society — always in the manner its members democratically decide. …