Co-op Principles in a New Era Introductions Outline Healthy Communities Co-operative Principles Wrap up and evaluations CHF Canada Workshop 1
Healthy communities. How do we define and build healthy communities in our co-operatives? A healthy co-op community is one that Provides affordable housing? Fosters democracy? Meets member needs? How else can we define a healthy community? CHF Canada Workshop 2
There is a special set of ethical values that apply to co-operatives: the International Co-operative Principles. Together they give us a set of guiding principles that reflect the common values of the co-operative movement worldwide. Let s take a look at the link between healthy communities and the international co-op principles. CHF Canada Workshop 3
Each table has been given one of the seven principles! Answer the following questions in your group and prepare to report back. Q: How can this principle make your community healthier? Q: What resources would your co-operative need to make this happen? Co-operatives are voluntary organizations, open to all people able to use its services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination. CHF Canada Workshop 4
Voluntary and Open Membership You know that your co-op is healthy if you see the following in action. CHF Canada Resources A better way to choose members for our co-ops An overview of member selection in housing co-ops Welcoming and orienting new members Diversity resources CHF Canada Workshop 5
Co-operatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members those who buy the goods or use the services of the co-operative who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions. Democratic member control You know that your co-op is healthy if you see the following in action. CHF Canada Workshop 6
CHF Canada Resources Good Governance Charter Good Governance Test Getting Governance Right Organization of a housing co-op Effective members meetings Beyond participation Member Satisfaction Survey Members contribute equally to, and democratically control, the capital of the co-operative. CHF Canada Workshop 7
Member economic participation You know that your co-op is healthy if you see the following in action. CHF Canada Resources Sample Housing Charge Payment Policy Ethical Conduct Agreement Policy Are your housing charges too low? Beyond Participation CHF Canada Workshop 8
Co-operatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If the co-op enters into agreements with other organizations, it is done so based on terms that ensure democratic control by the members and maintains the co-operative s autonomy. Autonomy and independence You know that your co-op is healthy if you see the following in action. CHF Canada Workshop 9
CHF Canada Resources Our movement, Our values Enterprise Services Asset management Refinancing Mission and vision workshops Annual board planning calendar Co-operatives provide education and training for members, elected representatives, managers and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their co-operative. Members also inform the general public about the nature and benefits of co-operatives. CHF Canada Workshop 10
Education, training and information You know that your co-op is healthy if you see the following in action. CHF Canada Resources Regional education events Online learning Portable workshops Educational resources Annual General Meeting CHF Canada Workshop 11
Co-operatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the co-operative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures. Co-operation among co-operatives You know that your co-op is healthy if you see the following in action. CHF Canada Workshop 12
CHF Canada Resources Sizing up your future housing co-ops and scale Voicing our Vision Blueprint for a Co-operative Decade Co-operation among co-ops is cool! (workshop 2016) Local co-op networks Co-operative Housing International (CHI) unites, represents, promotes and leads the international co-operative housing movement. Co-operative Housing International Nicholas Gazzard Executive Director CHF Canada President Co-operative Housing International (CHI) CHF Canada Workshop 13
While focusing on member needs, co-operatives work for the sustainable development of communities through policies and programs accepted by the members. Concern for community You know that your co-op is healthy if you see the following in action. CHF Canada Workshop 14
CHF Canada Resources Co-op housing: More than just a home (video) Member satisfaction survey Your co-op. Your community. Your home. Sustainability at home: A toolkit for your co-op Top 10 sustainability action list for housing cooperatives LGBTQ Inclusive Co-op Communities Where to turn: mental health services in your area Welcoming new Canadians Excellent meetings for everyone 20 tips for inclusive meetings Alzheimer s disease: 10 warnings signs Aging in Place: Member stories CHF Canada Workshop 15
Healthy communities. How will YOU define and build healthy communities in YOUR co-operative? Your evaluations, please! CHF Canada Workshop 16
V12: 1 st Co-op Principle: Open and Voluntary Membership Co-operatives are voluntary organisations, 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. Co-op Principles in a New Era CHF Canada Annual General Meeting - June 8, 2017 Introduction The first Principle is an expression of the human right to freedom of association. This right of free association, namely to join or not to join with others to pursue common goals, is one of the fundamental rights in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in the 1966 United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights 2 CHF Canada Workshop 1
Introduction People cannot be made to be co-operators. It is a voluntary decision to join, made by the free choice of those who become members of it and want to be involved with others to achieve shared economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations. 3 Interpretation of words and phrases Co-operatives are voluntary organisations A voluntary organisation is one that is formed by the free choice of the persons who are members of it. As voluntary organisations, co-operatives should have their rights and freedoms, and the freedom of their members to form them, protected in law. The voluntary nature of co-op membership is key to the commitment of the members to the success of their co-operative enterprises. They have joined because they support the model and its values and principles, not because they are forced to. 4 CHF Canada Workshop 2
Interpretation of words and phrases Open to all persons This affirms a general commitment to recognising the fundamental dignity of every person and their right to involvement in a co-operative, which has been a basic commitment of all co-operatives since their emergence in the 19th century. 5 Interpretation of words and phrases Able to use their services Co-operatives are organised for specific purposes. In many instances, they can only effectively serve a certain kind of member or a limited number of members. For example, housing co-ops can house only so many members, a workers co-op can only accommodate a certain number of workers, and so on. So there are good reasons why some co-ops impose a limit on membership. Otherwise, a co-operative should not impose a limit on membership. 6 CHF Canada Workshop 3
Interpretation of words and phrases Willing to accept the responsibilities of membership These words are a reminder to members that while membership is open to them, members must also be willing to accept the duties that come with being a member. Membership is a central element to the democratic functioning and control of a co-op. 7 Interpretation of words and phrases Willing to accept the responsibilities of membership A member will usually be a natural person in a primary co-operative, but may also be a corporate or legal person in a co-operative which provides services to other businesses or organisations. Corporate persons may also be members of primary co-operatives where multiple stakeholders are members. Other co-operatives will normally be the members of secondary and tertiary co-operatives. 8 CHF Canada Workshop 4
Interpretation of words and phrases Without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination Discrimination is the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people. The Principle therefore requires membership to be open to all persons without discrimination irrespective of any personal characteristic. 9 Difficulties Abuse of the 1 st Principle by government In some countries, particularly in the former Soviet bloc, membership in co-ops has been required not voluntary. Housing co-ops were prime examples. This breaches the 1 st Principle and the human right to freedom of association. These co-ops are really mechanisms of government control, which were run in the Soviet countries by party apparatchiks. In such co-ops membership becomes tokenistic because there is no choice but to be a member who has no real say in the co-op s operations. 10 CHF Canada Workshop 5
Difficulties Abuse of the 1 st Principle by government Governments have interfered in other ways that limit the open and voluntary nature of membership. They have created legislative barriers that favour investor-owned business models at the expense of co-ops. Ironically this has happened in the same countries that forced membership in the past. Poland and the Czech Republic are current examples where co-ops are facing, in effect, forced dissolution. 11 Difficulties Cultural abuse of the 1 st Principle In some countries and regions the ending of discrimination has been slow to non-existent. This has affected co-operatives and compromises the nondiscrimination values of the 1 st Principle. This discrimination includes exclusion or limitation of rights on the grounds of gender, marital status, ethnicity, social class and religious affiliation. 12 CHF Canada Workshop 6
Difficulties Cultural abuse of the 1 st Principle The Rochdale Pioneers were very progressive for their time, recognising the diversity of contemporary society, particularly with respect to gender equality. The 1 st Principle celebrates that diversity and we must work to ensure it endures in the co-operative movement. 13 Time for Evaluation Evaluations on Conference App https://eventmobi.com/2017agm/ Paper copies also available in the workshop room! CHF Canada Workshop 7
Getting workshop materials CHF Canada Website www.chfcanada.coop/workshopmaterials AGM Conference App https://eventmobi.com/2017agm CHF Canada Workshop 8
Appendix 1 Our Movement, Our Values The Values of the Canadian Co-operative Housing Movement Canada s non-profit housing co-operatives are dedicated to developing strong housing communities that operate under the control of the resident-members, for their mutual benefit on a not-for-profit basis. As a movement we are united by a commitment to uphold and promote these shared values: 1. The international co-op principles guide the way we govern and manage our housing co-ops. 2. Continuing to operate our co-ops on a not-for-profit basis is fundamental to our future and to our promise to Canadians in need of housing. 3. Co-ops strive to house members with a mix of incomes. 4. Housing co-ops treat their employees and other providers of management services fairly and value the contribution they make to their communities. 5. Housing co-ops are inclusive communities and embrace diversity by fostering a membership of differing backgrounds and abilities. 6. A commitment to environmental sustainability guides the operating practices of housing co-ops. 7. Co-ops aim to provide a high-quality living environment for their members and do their best to respond to their changing housing needs over time. 8. The right of members to live in their co-op is protected as long as they respect the rules that they have together agreed will govern their housing. ON THE ROAD TO 2020: A GUIDE TO BECOMING A CERTIFIED 2020 HOUSING CO-OP 19
C O - O P E R A T I V E H O U S I N G F E D E R A T I O N O F C A N A D A 7 6 Co-operation among Co-operatives By organizing together in federations, housing co-ops grow stronger and help to build a healthy co-op movement. Where they can, housing co-ops use the services of co-op businesses to meet their needs. Concern for Community Housing co-ops work to build strong communities inside and outside the co-op. They help to improve the quality of life for others and they take care to protect the environment. Here s a quick reference version of the co-op principles that we ve adapted especially for housing co-ops. 5 Education, Training and Information Housing co-ops offer education and training to the members, directors and staff so that everyone can play a full role in the life of the co-op. Housing co-ops find ways to tell the public what they are and what they do. Getting Our Co-op Principles 1 Voluntary and Open Membership Membership in a housing co-op is open to all who can use the co-op s services and accept the responsibilities of being a member, without discrimination. 4 Autonomy and Independence Housing co-ops are independent associations. They follow the laws that apply to them and their agreements with governments or other organizations. But the members control the co-op. Right 2 Democratic Control Housing co-ops are controlled by their members. Each member has one vote. Housing co-ops give members the information they need to make good decisions, and take part in the life of the co-op. 3 Member Economic Participation Members contribute financially to the co-op and share in the benefits of membership. The co-op does not pay a return on the members shares or deposits. Instead it sets aside reserves for the future and charges the members only what it needs to operate soundly. Good Governance and the International Co-op Principles