LET'S BE RURAL!

People, it is quite possible I have found my dream job (I know, I say this about every job) FOR REAL. Let me sum it up in a few little lines. I am now an employee of a COOPERATIVE aka a CO-OP (not to be confused with a chicken COOP). 

What does this mean you ask? 

1st Principle: Voluntary and Open Membership

Cooperatives 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.

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 the membership. In primary cooperatives members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote) and co-operatives at other levels are also organized in a democratic manner.

3rd Principle: Member Economic Participation

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. 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 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.

4th Principle: Autonomy and Independence

Cooperatives 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 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 public - particularly young people and opinion leaders - about the nature and benefits of cooperation.

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

Cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies approved by their members.

UM, HELLO. DOES IT GET ANY MORE HIPPY THAN THAT??? Because hippies love to cooperate. Oh yes it does. It gets this hippy.......

A small taste of CO-OPS in the USA:

Ace Hardware

Black Star Co-op (a brewpub located in Austin, TX)

Blue Diamond Growers (almonds)

Land O'Lakes (I actually buy this butter from The Lowes)

Welch's

Piggly Wiggly

The New Deal Cafe (coffee house in Greenbelt, Maryland) 

Just to name a few.........

Goodness gracious. It begins.