Co-op Week 2010 will encourage Canadians to Experience the Co-operative Difference
Ottawa, May 12, 2010 -- The values, principles and practices that make co-operatives different from other types of businesses and the difference co-operatives make to the lives of Canadians, will be the focus of this year's Co-op Week celebrations, October 17-23, 2010.
Canada's two national co-operative associations, the Canadian Co-operative Association (CCA) and the Conseil canadien de la coopération et de la mutualité (CCCM), have chosen Experience the Co-operative Difference (Vivre la différence coopérative in French) as the theme of Co-op Week 2010.
"Co-op Week 2010 will be a celebration of the co-operative difference: the advantages co-ops have over other business models, and the enormous difference co-ops have made, and continue to make, to the lives of Canadian and their communities," said Carol Hunter, CCA's executive director . "We want as many Canadians as possible to experience the co-op difference first-hand, not only during Co-op Week but all year round." For the first time, NCBA -- the national co-operative association in the U.S. -- will use the same theme for Co-op Month, which takes place in October throughout the United States. Canadian Co-operative Association For more information on Co-op Week 2010 and a preview of the Co-op Week Poster, visit www.coopscanada/en/orphan/Co-opWeek2010
As in past years, Co-op Week will also include International Credit Union Day, which will take place on Thursday, October 21. The theme for this year's ICU Day -- Local. Trusted. Serving You. -- focuses on credit unions' trusted, community-focused approach to member service. The ICU Day campaign will also use the tagline Experience the Credit Union Difference in its promotional materials. The campaign was developed by an international committee consisting of the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU); Credit Union National Association (CUNA) and the National Co-operative Business Association (NCBA) in the United States, Credit Union Central of Canada and the Canadian Co-operative Association.
"This theme of building trust in a local setting strongly reflects our core commitment to helping to support communities across Canada," said David Phillips, president and CEO of Canadian Central. "We are proud to stand with our partners in promoting positive values and relationships with our members. Even better, these are truly Canadian values."
CCA, Canadian Central, WOCCU, CUNA and NCBA will all use the same graphic image for their posters and promotional materials: a whimsical watercolour landscape in various shades of blue and green with images of happy co-op or credit union members, including a shopper and a mother and child. Promotional materials can be ordered from the CCA and Canadian Central websites beginning in July, 2010.
The above communique was provided for immediate release by:
THE SEVEN COOPERATIVE PRINCIPLES
The seven cooperative principles are guidelines by which cooperatives put their values into practice:
First 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.
Second 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 cooperatives at other levels are organized in a democratic manner.
Third 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.
Fourth Principle: Autonomy and Independence
Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If they enter into 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.
Fifth 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 cooperation.
Sixth 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.
Seventh Principle: Concern for Community
Cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies accepted by their members.
(Adopted at the International Cooperative Alliance Congress at Manchester, England on September 23, 1995)
