MEMBERSHIP OF COOPERATION

Membership Cooperation
A group of people who have the same economic interests as the owner and also the service users and participate actively to developing cooperative ventures.

Requirement be member of the cooperateon

• A citizen of Indonesia
• Capable of performing legal actions
• Willing to abide by the articles of Association and bylaws
• Willing to comply with the rules applicable
• Desirous of furthering the cooperative
• No coercion of another party 
• Have same economic interest 

Special requirement

Special requirement are additional requirements that must be met by each of the members of the cooperative before they were accepted into the cooperative members in full.
Examples of special conditions:

1. Agricultural cooperatives
2. Fisherman Cooperative
3. Cooperative Rubber

• Its members comprised of farmers, workers and owners, the rubber tappers, who took control of the production results and sebagainyai.
• Special conditions of membership of this cooperative is the distinction between cooperative movement with business entity-business entities, such as limited liability company, CV and so on.

How to become a Member

• Learn more historically intents and purposes of such cooperatives, especially regarding the terms of membership and the rights and obligations as a member. 
• Complete the requirements to become a Member
• If the terms are acceptable, then the candidate completing the registration form in that cooperation.
• If the Board approves the request, then the next prospective members must be notified to the relevant start date can be accepted to be members of the cooperative.
• When a person becomes a member of a cooperative plea rejected, then his candidacy as a member can be re-submitted in RA, and his decision will be binding on the Board to fulfill them.

Obligations of members:

• Abide by the articles of Association and bylaws
• Participate in the program of cooperative venture
• Pay the main payment and obligation payment 
• Maintain and develop the principle of togetherness
• Adhere to and carry out the decisions of the Governing Board meetings and Member meeting

Right of member

• attend a vote opinion, stated in the RAT
• Select and elected officers and Trustees
• put forward opinions and suggestions to the Executive Board
• Utilizing the same services and cooperation between members
• Get information on development cooperative basis within budget

THE NATURE OF COOPERATIVE MEMBERSHIP

The nature of cooperative membership is voluntary and open.

• Voluntary membership is each member is voluntarily register to be cooperative members of their own accord, and could submit his resignation.
• Open Membership is that membership of the cooperative knows no discrimination in any form. Everyone who is able to meet the terms of a cooperative membership can be accepted to be members of the cooperative.

PROOF OF MEMBERSHIP IN THE COOPERATIVE

Book member list is one that is defined by the ACT on cooperatives, The book contains :

• member list 
• full name, 
• age, 
• livelihood, 
• place of residence, 
• date of entry be a member, 
• left thumb stamp or signature of the Member 
• Chairman's signature and date the signature

Type of Membership in Cooperation

• Full members 
• Candidate members 
• Served members 
• Extraordinary Member
• Founding members 

1. Full members

Members who have voting rights , meaning that it has to meet the requirements specified in the appropriate membership AD / ART and regulations applicable legislation , and has signed his name in the register of members .

2. Candidate members

• People who have not settled main payment , formally not fully complete the administrative requirements as specified in the AD / ART , so it has not been accepted as a full member of bias .
• Has the right to speak but did not have the right to elect and be elected to be the caretaker or supervisor .
• Obtain the same service .

Candidate Members have an obligation

• Pay obligation payment decisions taken in accordance with members' meeting ;
• Participate in cooperative efforts ;
• Abiding by AD / ART , decisions and meeting members of other provisions in force ;
• Maintain the good name and togetherness Cooperative 

3. Served members

Citizens who receive services on a regular basis of the cooperative , but have not applied to be members of the cooperative . Members served the said order directed to members of the cooperative .

4. Extraordinary Member

• A person can become extraordinary members , when concerned citizens who are capable of taking legal action , but has not been fully able to meet the requirements defined in the AD / ART cooperative . Besides the foreign citizen who has had a Residential Permit Card ( KIM ) who want to receive services in a cooperative , but has no requirement to be a member of the cooperative 
• Extraordinary members have the right to speak , but did not have the right to elect and be elected to be the caretaker or supervisor cooperatives ;
• Member is entitled of net income ( SHU ) in accordance with the decision of the meeting of members .

5. Founding members

The people who founded the cooperative , who attended the meeting establishment / incorporation and has met the membership requirements as well as claiming to be a member

WHAT IS THE LIABILITY AS A MEMBER ?

Members dependents is something the duty of every Member to bear the losses suffered by the cooperative in implementing programs that have been decided in a meeting of members. It can be fulfilled obligations in fiscal year runs or after it was decided in the meeting of members or accomplished within the framework of settlement of the dissolution of the Cooperative .

kinds of members dependents :

1. Dependents is limited , the maximum amount that is charged or required on every Member to offset / pay losses which amount is specified in the AD / ART ;
2. Dependents are not limited to , an infinite number assigned to each Member separately cover the loss / debt until paid off .

• At the time of the dissolution of the cooperative , members who have come out are not free from the obligation to bear the loss , all the losses incurred as a result of one incident in which he is still a member , provided that the exit of the members have not been through 12 months .

• In the event of any of its members as a cooperative insurer losses , referred to in Article 29 and Article 31 of the Articles of Association was not able to pay , the other members are required to bear the obligations they are not capable of it , each of equal magnitude .

End of membership

membership in the Cooperation will end when the Member concern :

• Request a stop at his own request 
• Dismissed by the Board for violating regulations 
• Died
• Contrary to the purposes of the cooperative
• Always detrimental to cooperatives

WHAT IF COOPERATIVE breakup?

If the Cooperative disbanded , the person's membership in the cooperative ends . In terms of the Cooperative is still a bona fide debt to third parties , then each member is obliged to bear the corresponding provisions in the AD / ART . If the cooperative still has a wealth of after finished the paying debts , then the member may receive distribution in accordance with the requirements of AD / ART .

COOPERATIVE PRINCIPLES

Cooperative is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet the needs and aspirations of economic , social and culture together through companies they controlled democratically .
Cooperatives are based on the values ​​push yourself , self responsibility , democracy , equality , equity and solidarity . In economics there is a cooperativeprinciples . Below I will give the cooperative principles Based on the sources that I get .

Principle according Munkner

There are 12 principles and ideas umu 7 variables as follows :
7 variable general idea :

• Self-help based on solidarity
• Democracy
• Capital strength is not preferred
• Economy
• Freedom
• Justice
• Advancing social life through education

12 principles of cooperatives :

• Membership is voluntary
• Membership is open
• Developing member
• Identity as the owner and customers
• Management and democratic supervision is conducted
• Cooperatives as a collection of people
• Capital relating to the social aspects are not shared
• Economic efficiency of cooperative enterprises
• Collect voluntarily
• Freedom in decision making and goal setting
• Fair and equitable distribution of economic outcomes will
• Education members

Principle according to Rochdale

Rochdale cooperative principles according to the form and nature of the original :

• Democratic oversight
• Membership is open
• Limited interest on capital
• SHU division
• Entirely with cash sales
• The goods sold must be genuine and not faked
• Provide education to the members of the cooperative principles
• Neutral to politics and religion

Principle - the Rochdale cooperative principles are the foundation further cooperative work :

• Purchase of goods for cash
• Selling price equal to the market price of the local
• Good quality stuff , scales and correct size
• Payment of interest on capital is limited
• Profits divided by the number of purchases bedasarkan
• Part of the profits are used to fund reserve fund education and social
• Membership is open to the public , neutral on religion and politics

Principle according Raiffesien

Principle of Raiffesienis :

• Non
• Limited working area
• SHU for backup
• Responsibility is not limited to members
• Administrators to work on a voluntary basis
• Effort only to members
• Membership is based on character , not money

While the foundation and ways of working to be taken by it , namely :

• Farmers accustomed to saving
• Lack of oversight of the use of credit
• Membership restricted to between members can know each other and can work together 
• Governance, by its members and does not get paid
• Net profits belong together

Principle according to Schulze

He told the basics is given credit cooperatives in particular for small industries . To establish credit cooperatives is to :

• Buy shares to become a member
• Raise capital from donors who want to give their money as capital
• Limit for short-term loans
• Establish work areas in urban
• Hire the managers
• Divide the profits to members

While the core of the principles of thought are :

• Non
• Work area is limited sodium absorption ratio
• SHU for backup and for distribution to members
• Limited responsibility organization
• Administrators work rewarded
• Not limited effort not only to members

According to the principle of ICA

ICA is an organization of the world's tallest cooperative movement which was founded in 1895 .siding ICA in 1966 formulated the principles of cooperation , as follows :

• Cooperative membership is open without any restriction made-up
• Democratic leadership on the basis of one person one vote
• Capital received limited interest , and even then if there

SHU divided into three

• Partly to spare
• Partly to the community
• Partly to be distributed back to the members in accordance with their respective services

All cooperatives must implement continuous education
Cooperative movement should carry out close cooperation , both at the regional , national , and international

Principle according to Coady M.M

He developed a form of cooperative education by holding to older adults . Formal educational institutions that help develop the cooperative was Coady International Institute in Canada .
Cooperative principles Indonesia :

According to Law No. 12 of 1967

There are 4 laws regarding cooperatives namely :

• Act 79 of 1958 on the cooperative societies
• Act 14 of 1965
• Law No. 12 Year 1967 on the main points of cooperatives
• Law No.25 of 1992 on cooperatives

According to Law 25 of 1992
The cooperative principles are as follows :

• Membership is voluntary and open
• Management conducted democratically
• SHU division was fairly comparable to the size of the business services of each member
• Provision of fringe benefits to the limited capital autonomy
• Cooperative education
• Cooperation among cooperatives

There are 5 principles that guide cooperative cooperative work are :

• Membership is voluntary and open
• Management conducted democratically
• Distribution of net income was fairly comparable to the size of the business 
• Services of each member
• Giving back to the limited capital autonomy

The Cooperation as Business Institution

What is Cooperation?

Organization of a group of people who have the same interests with the goal of welfare for its members.

What is Business Institution?

Organizations that combine and coordinate resources for the purpose of manufacturing and producing goods or services.

Cooperative is an economic movement that is based on a family basis. Cooperatives in Indonesia has grown rapidly due to the members comprised of the general public have to know the benefits of the establishment of cooperatives, which can help the economy and develop the creativity of each member. In addition, the cooperative also can be said as a business organization for cooperative activities that occur in nature generate a profit or profits in general be a goal of a business organization.

Business organization is an organization that combines and coordinates the resources for the purpose of manufacture and produce goods or services. Conceptually, the Cooperative as a Business Organization entrepreneurs who hold a weak economy, have some potential advantages to participate solve social problems - the economy.

To build a business organization, the business environment is also required. The business environment is one of the activities that will be undertaken in the form perbisnisan someone in a business, where in the business we are in demand to run or manage a business with his best of every person must have the desire and establishing the right of a business and one that must be willing to live her business to success.

Cooperative as a business organization so that:

• Subject to the rules and principles of economics that apply
• Able to generate profits and to develop the organization and its business
• Members as the owner and user of services
• Requires a business management system (financial, technical, organizational and information)

Role of Cooperatives in the National Economy

Cooperatives as an economic institution formed of, by and for its members is expected to provide business development opportunities and in particular the members of the surrounding community at large in order to improve the economic and social welfare. A cooperative economic organization that is distinct (has distinctive characteristics), with the corporate philosophy, corporate culture (cooperative business practices must be able to present the values ​​that were able to grow and thrive in a competitive market environment).

Values ​​inherent in the organization and management of cooperatives is the ability to self-help, democratic management, justice and solidarity, with values ​​above suggests that the cooperative as an organization is capable of self-help (selfhelp organization) must have a clear economic objectives and togetherness management (Joint management) are professional, so that cooperatives can put functions and its role as a strategic economic institutions in developing the economic potential of the people, because the cooperative is a business entity related to the life and economy of most of the people were scattered throughout the county, town and village in Indonesia, which covers almost all types of existing business fields.

Cooperative potential in the market system requires and in any business plan or utilize the maximum benefit so that companies can make a profit or of net income that is able to hold reserves in order to further business development. In order for companies to compete companies must conduct market orientation to be able to excel in the competitive market competition.

Cooperative has two markets:

• Internal Market, in which the direction of the distribution of goods addressed to the cooperative members.
• External market, is a market demonstrated outside the members or to the public. Cooperative acts as a supplier or call the marginal cost and supply Coorperative equal to the revenue. Cooperative will choose determines the price based on the price at cost with no more shortage.Koperasi have a great opportunity in terms of pricing than the market because it does not hold on to the position of maximum profit.

Purpose Cooperative Company

The main purpose of cooperatives focused on improving the welfare of its members and the public, it is clearly seen in Article 3 of Law No. 25 of 1992 on
Cooperatives, said that the cooperative aims to promote the welfare of members in particular and the society in general and to help build the national economy in order to realize an advanced society, just and prosperous based on Pancasila and the Constitution of 1945.

To achieve this, although not as an organization cooperative associations profit-oriented capital, but capital is an important factor to achieve this goal in addition to factors other resources. Not that did not attempt to achieve cooperative maximum profit, as a business entity, the cooperative aims to make a profit that can serve as a tool to achieve the ultimate goal.

Cooperative goals as a company or business entity is not solely only on the orientation of earnings (profit-oriented), but also on the orientation of the benefits (benefit oriented). Therefore, in many cases co-operatives, co-operative management of non-profit as the company's goals as they work based on the service (service at cost)....

Cooperative is an institution that should be managed as befits the institution. Businesses. In a business organization required an effective management Known and efficient management.

Likewise in cooperative enterprises, management is a right that must exist in order to realize the desired objectives.

Cooperatives are people based and not based capital as a conventional business organization or company. Cooperative organizations often turn out to be a bunch of capital even openly cooperative play often proceeds from fees or deposits cooperative members, but it is running or distributing third-party capital (bank)

In addition to the cooperative institutions that have been known, at this time also developed institutions Baitul Maal wat Tamwil (BMT) is an agency supporting small economic activities under (low income) with an economic system based on Islamic Sharia. Legal Entity of BMT BMT can be cooperative for those who have had a wealth of more than USD 40 million and has been prepared by the administration to be a healthy cooperative in terms of cooperative and good management, analyzed in terms of worship, practice shalihan officials who have managed BMT Islam.Sebelum Sharia legal status of cooperatives, BMT can be shaped as SHGs (Self Help Groups) that can serve as a pre cooperative.

The Conclusion:

Cooperatives can be regarded as a business organization because of the cooperative nature yangterjadi activities generate a profit or profits in general be a goal of a business organization. But in fact the potential of cooperatives in the market system requires effort and planning into each gain or exploit the maximum so that companies can make a profit or of net income that is able to hold reserves in order to further business development....

Understanding, co-operative is not a business organization, although the implementation expects profit. But the profit is distributed to members of the SHU (Business Profits). Running now, the cooperative has forgotten what its primary purpose. Many of the cooperatives in Indonesia indirectly to business organizations by certain elements. So we see in terms of implementation, cooperatives and business organizations actually almost the same.

COOPERATIVE (Principle, Types, Superiority, Entrepreneurship, Admiistrator of cooperative)

1. Cooperative

Cooperative is a business organization owned and operated by people - a mutual interest . Bases cooperative activities based on the principles of economic movement is based on the principle of kinship .

2. Principle cooperative

Cooperative principle is a system of abstract ideas that are clues to build effective cooperative and durable cooperative principles developed for the International Cooperative Alliance ( Federation of international non-governmental cooperative ) is

• Membership is open and voluntary
• Management of a democratic ,
• Participation in member economies ,
• Freedom and autonomy ,
• Development of education , training , and information

In Indonesia alone has made ​​the Law no . 25 of 1992 on Cooperatives. Cooperative principles according to Law no . 25, 1992 are :

• Membership is voluntary and open
• Management is done through democracy
• Distribution of SHU conducted fairly in accordance with their respective business service members
• provision of fringe benefits that are limited to capital
• Independence
• Cooperative education
• Cooperation among cooperatives

3. Form and Cooperative Type

3.1. Type Cooperative by function

• Cooperative purchasing / procurement / consumption is a cooperative which has the functions of purchase or procurement of goods and services to meet the needs of the final consumer . Here the member acting as the owner and purchaser or consumer to cooperatives.
• Cooperative sales / marketing is a cooperative that organizes the distribution function of the goods or services produced by its members to get in the hands of consumers . Here the member acting as the owner and supplier of the goods or services to cooperatives.
• Cooperative production is a cooperative that produces goods and services , where members work as an employee or employees of the cooperative . Here members take ownership and worker cooperatives.
• Cooperative service is a cooperative which organizes services needed by members , for example : savings and loans , insurance , transportation , and so on . Here members act as owners and users of services cooperative.

If cooperatives organized a function called single cooperative effort ( single -purpose cooperative ) , while the cooperative that organizes more than one function called business cooperatives ( multi purpose cooperative ) .

3.2. Type cooperatives based on the level and the area of work

• Primary Cooperative - Primary cooperative is a cooperative that has a membership of at least 20 individuals
• Cooperative Secondary - Is a cooperative made ​​up of a combination of cooperative bodies and has a wide working area coverage compared to the primary cooperatives . 

Secondary cooperatives can be divided into :

• Cooperative center - is a cooperative made ​​up of at least 5 primary cooperatives
• Joint cooperative - a cooperative whose members are at least 3 cooperative center
• Parent cooperatives - are members of cooperatives minimum is 3 combined cooperative

3.3. Type of Cooperative according to membership status

• Cooperative producer cooperatives whose members are producers of goods / services and have a household business .
• Consumer Cooperative is a cooperative whose members are the final consumer or user of goods / services offered by suppliers in the market .

Position of members in the cooperative may be in one state or two. Thus according to the status of members of cooperatives grouping closely related to cooperative grouping by function.

4. Superiority cooperative

The possibility of co-operatives to obtain comparative advantages of other companies large enough considering the cooperative has the potential advantages such as economies of scale , real activity , precuniary factors , and others.

5. Entrepreneurship cooperative

Cooperative entrepreneurship is a positive attitude in trying to be cooperative , to take innovative initiatives and the courage to take risks and hold fast to the principles of cooperative identity , in the realization of real fulfillment and collective welfare . From these definitions , it can be argued that entrepreneurship cooperative is a positive mental attitude in trying to be cooperative

Wirakop main task is to take innovative initiatives , it means trying to find , find , and take advantage of opportunities that exist for the common interest . Entrepreneurship can be done by the cooperative members , managers bureaucrats who play a role in the development of cooperatives and catalysts , that is, those who care about the development of cooperative

6. Administrator

Cooperative board elected from among and by the members in a meeting of members . There are times when the member is not meeting to elect all members of the Board from among its own members . It thus happens for example if the candidates come from members of his own circles do not have the necessary ability to lead the cooperative is concerned , while it turns out that that can meet the requirements are those who are not members or not members of the cooperative ( probably also served by cooperative but has not officially asked to be a member )

7. Cooperative in Indonesia

Cooperatives in Indonesia, according to the 1992 Act , is defined as a business entity consisting of individuals or legal entities with the bases cooperative activities based on the principles of economic cooperation as well as people's movement that is based on a family basis . In Indonesia , the cooperative principles specified in this Law. 12 of 1967 and Law no. 25 of 1992 .

Cooperative principles in Indonesia is approximately equal to the internationally recognized principles with slight variations , namely the description of the SHU ( Business Profits )

7.1. History cooperatives in Indonesia

A brief history of the cooperative movement began in the 20th century , which generally is the result of that effort was not spontaneous and was not done by people who are very wealthy Cooperative grow from among the people , while the suffering in the economic and social field generated by the capitalist system mounting . Some people whose livelihoods are simple with limited economic capacity , driven by the suffering and economic burden of the same , spontaneously joined hands to help himself and his fellow man .

In 1896 a Civil Service Patih R.Aria Wiria Atmaja in Purwokerto set up a bank for civil servants ( gentry ) . He was driven by his desire to help those employees who increasingly suffer from trapped by moneylenders who provide loans at high interest rates mean the regent to establish credit cooperative models such as in Germany . Ideals are then forwarded by the spirit of De Wolffvan Westerrode , a Dutch resident assistant while on leave De Wolffvan Westerrode managed to visit Germany and advocated Aid Savings Bank will convert the existing Aid to Banks , Savings and Agriculture . In addition to civil servants farmers also need to be helped because they suffer even more because of the pressure of the pengijon . He also advocated changing Banktersebut be cooperative . In addition, he also founded the village granaries are encouraging farmers to save on the loan musimpanen and provide rice aid to famine He was trying to make it into barns Credit Cooperative Rice But the Dutch government at that time another opinionated . Bank Aid , Savings and Agriculture and Cooperative Village Office is not used but the Dutch government established a new village barns , village banks , pawnshops and Cash Centrale which later became the Bank Rakyat Indonesia ( BRI ) . All of that is a business entity 's authority and led by the people government

In the days of the Dutch -forming cooperatives can not be implemented because :

• There has been no government agencies or non- governmental agencies that provide information and education about cooperatives .
• There is no law governing cooperatives life .
• Colonial government itself was hesitant because of political considerations advocated cooperative , cooperative worry it will be used by the political objective harm to the colonial government .

Anticipate the development of cooperatives already socialized , Dutch government issued regulations regarding cooperatives . The first , issued Regulation No. Cooperative Society . 43 , 1915 , and in 1927 issued Regulation No. anyway . 91 , 1927 , which governs the Cooperative Society - Society for Bumiputra groups . In 1933 , the Dutch East Indies government stipulate Society General Cooperative Society - No . 21 , 1933 . Regulations 1933 , it is only applied to groups that are subject to the legal order of the West , whereas Regulation 1927 , applicable to class Bumiputra . Discrimination is enforced at the level of cooperative life

In 1908 , Budi Utomo is founded by Dr . Sutomo provide a role for the cooperative movement to improve the lives of the people . In 1915 the rules made ​​Verordening op de Cooperatieve Vereeniging , and in 1927 Regeling Inlandschhe Cooperatieve .

In 1927 established Islamic Trade Union , which aims to fight the economic position pengusah - indigenous entrepreneurs . Then in 1929 , the Indonesian National Party stood fighting for the dissemination of the cooperative spirit .

However , in 1933 a law came out like Law no . 431 so lethal cooperative efforts for the second time . In 1942 the Japanese occupation of Indonesia . Japan and establish cooperative kumiyai . Originally cooperative is running smoothly but its function has changed dramatically and become a tool to benefit Japan , and misery to the people of Indonesia.

After Indonesian independence , on July 12, 1947 , the cooperative movement in Indonesian Cooperative Congress held the first in Tasikmalaya . Today is then set as the Indonesian Cooperatives Day at a Time formed the Central Organization of Indonesian People's Cooperative ( SOKRI ) located in Tasikmalaya ( Bandung as the capital of the province is being occupied by the Dutch )

7.2. Fungction and cooperative role of Indonesian

According to Law no . 1992 25 Section 4 explained that the cooperative has the function and role of , among others, to develop the potential and economic viability and community members , working enhance the quality of human life , strengthen the economy of the people , developing the national economy , as well as develop creativity and spirit organization for the nation's students .

7.3. Cooperative based on law

Cooperative legal entity under the Act 12 of 1967 is the [ organization ] ] people's economic social character , consisting of the persons or legal entity which is a cooperative economic arrangements as a joint venture , based on the principle of kinship . Specifically about the performance of cooperative associations , cooperatives must work under the provisions of the general law on business organization ( proprietorship, partnership , etc. . ) And commercial law and tax law .

Six findings from co-operative enterprises

As business more widely wakes up to the value of engaging staff, customers and stakeholders, these six findings from a number of co-operative enterprises can be valuable for all.

1. Behaviour-based competences
   People often come to co-operation without much day-to-day experience of it. The ways of working, knowledge and skills have to be learned. If co-operation is to be a meeting of hearts and not just minds, then co-operative behaviour and competence becomes part of the performance and development systems you operate.
2. A culture of equality
   Co-operation is a social culture, so it should feel different for those involved. This means being alert to signs of excluding or domineering behaviour, because they take away peoples’ ability and desire to contribute. It means not excluding people who don’t readily ‘fit in’, because co-operating with people who have different qualities and attributes can be more creative than working with people who are the same. It means being alert to even subtle kinds of institutional and cultural inequality.
3. Distributed leadership
   When it comes to leadership, the dominant model in the business press is still of John Wayne style loners. In a co-operative, leadership means something different because it’s a function of the intelligence and conscious direction of the all the people involved. Co-operators understand that no one can be a leader all of the time – and everyone has to be a leader some of the time.
4. A mandate for management
   Co-operatives have learned the value of management, sometimes the hard way. What is different is that co-operatives look for ways to base it on consent rather than control, for example through representative models of governance. It requires a different style. As Bob Cannell of Suma Wholefoods puts it: “management is a function, not a status.” But the benefit is clear. With a mandate, managers are equipped to act in the long-term interest of the business.
5. Ownership as stewardship
   Co-operatives tend to have a different time horizon for ownership. In many co-operatives, those involved have control of assets that have been built up by past members. Their job is then to use it to make their co-operative more successful; to ensure that everyone who contributes to that success gets what they need in return; and keep some in trust for benefit of the co-operators of the future.
6. Open dialogue
   The membership model for co-operatives makes it easier to build dialogue with customers or staff around complex and emerging issues of social responsibility. It also helps to make co-operatives a source of social innovation, as the encouragement of members has helped to develop new co-operative enterprise, for example around the needs of people with disabilities or in relation to a low-carbon economy.