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What is a Co-op?
10 Facts about co-ops
1
Cooperatives are democratic businesses and organizations, equally owned and controlled by a group of people. There are worker co-ops, consumer co-ops, producer co-ops, financial co-ops, housing co-ops, and more. In a cooperative, one member has one vote.
2
Because cooperatives are democratically owned by community members, co-ops keep money (and jobs) in their communities.
3
Cooperatives aren’t a far off theory. Cooperatives offer achievable and practical solutions to many economic, environmental, and social problems that can be implemented right now.
4
Co-ops aren’t charity; they’re empowering means for self-help and solidarity.
5
Members of cooperatives equally share the burden in hard times and equally share the benefits in good times.
6
Cooperatives are more resilient in economic downturns and in impoverished communities. When other businesses may shut down or lay off workers, co-op members pull together to work out solutions.
7
Cooperatives are an international movement. There are thousands upon thousands of cooperatives around the world that are making major differences locally and globally.
8
Cooperatives strive to make people’s lives, communities, and economies more just, equitable, and democratic.
9
There’s no one right way to do a co-op. They can be flexible to fit different community and individual needs. There are big co-ops with thousands of members, and there are small co-ops with 3 members.
10
Cooperatives are viable and just alternatives for meeting our economic and social needs.