Principle 1. Voluntary and Open MembershipCo-ops 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. Guidance for Principle 1: The statements that: “Co-operatives are voluntary organizations” reaffirms the importance of people choosing voluntarily to participate in and make a commitment to their co-operative and asserts the right of any person to exercise free choice in deciding to join or leave a co-operative and take collective action to pursue the common economic, social and cultural interests of its members.  “Open to all persons” affirms there should be no arbitrary restrictions placed on persons wishing to become members, the only limit on membership being the limit imposed by the purpose of the co-operative.  “Able to use their services” acknowledges that co-operatives are organized for specific purposes.  “Willing to accept the responsibilities of membership” reminds members that while membership is open to them, members must also be willing to accept the duties that come with being a member. “Responsibility” is having a duty to deal with or having control over something.  “Membership” is a central element of a co-operative enterprise that is jointly owned and democratically controlled by persons who chose to join it.  “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. How FC Co-op currently achieves this principle: Membership is open to all people who wish to use our natural food store and bakery/deli.  Members redeem the responsibilities of membership through paying a one-time membership fee.  Supporting members who wish to expand the Co-op’s capacity and maintain or improve Co-op infrastructure pay an annual Capital Investment Fund fee.  Members democratically elect representatives to represent them on the board of directors.  Members serve on boards and committees in support of the Co-op.  The primary purposes of the Co-op are: A) To provide nutritious and inexpensive food, and other goods and services as determined by the membership, at prices determined to cover costs; B) To provide a model of cooperation, both as a business and among Co-op members and workers; C) To support and provide a market for local producers and suppliers; and D) To provide an open forum as an educational and community service. How can the Co-op improve on achieving this principle and better support our membership?

Principle 2. Democratic Member ControlCo-ops 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. Guidance for Principle 2: “Co-operatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions.” The defining characteristic of a democratic organization is that its members are the ultimate authority. It also stresses that they do so actively in a democratic manner, through having the right to vote on key strategic policy decisions and to participate in electing the representatives who control their co-operative’s day-to-day business activities. “Men and women serving as elected representatives are accountable to the membership.” This sentence reminds elected representatives that they hold their elected office in trust for the immediate and long-term benefit of members. Co-operatives do not ‘belong’ to elected officials any more than they ‘belong’ to the executives and employees who report to these officials. Co-operatives are jointly owned by their members and all elected officials are accountable for their actions to the membership, at election time and throughout their mandate.  “In primary co-operatives members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote).” In these co-operatives the rule for equal voting rights, one member, one vote, is self-evident. How FC Co-op currently achieves this principle: FC Co-op’s Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation set the direction for the operation of the co-op. Changes to the bylaws, if any, are approved by a vote of the membership.  Membership in the Co-op is for an individual and each individual member is entitled to one vote.  Annually, using the election process described in FC Co-op’s Bylaws, the Co-op holds an election to fill board of directors’ positions.  Candidates for board positions must be members in good standing.  Directors are elected democratically by an in person vote of the membership.  Directors reach out to the membership through face-to-face engagement, email, at annual membership meetings, social networks, and reports to the membership in our newsletter (Mountain Thymes).  Board Directors develop policies, rules, and regulations as required in the Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation. Policies, rules, and regulations meet state and federal employment requirements, and support our membership. Board Directors supervise and set direction for the General Manager that ensures our membership is supported and benefitted.  Meetings of the Board are advertised on social media and at the Co-op.  All board meetings are open to the membership and members may attend any board or special meeting. How can the Co-op improve on achieving this principle and better support our membership?  

Principle 3. Member Economic Participation Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of the 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.   Guidance for Principle 3: “Contribute equitably”, like most co-operatives members are required to contribute to the common capital of the co-op by investing in a membership share.   “Part of that capital is usually the common property of the co-operative.” and “Members usually receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a condition of membership.”  Interest is not paid on membership investment.  When the Co-op prospers, surpluses are either retained in a reserve fund to support membership investments (infrastructure, improvements, expansion, etc.) or returned to the membership in the form of a dividend or patronage refund. How FC Co-op currently achieves this principle: In the case of FC Co-op, in order to become a member of the co-op each member invests in the Co-op through purchase of a one-time lifetime membership fee.  FC Co-op’s Bylaws refers to this membership as “Level 1”.  Members who wish to further support the Co-op and receive additional benefits, continue their investment through an annual Capital Investment Fund fee.  FC Co-op’s Bylaws refers to this supporting membership as “Level 2”.  FC Co-op is a Washington State non-profit and manages pricing and capital investments at near a break-even level.  The result is all surplus funds are retained for responding to infrastructure repair and maintenance. How can the Co-op improve on achieving this principle and better support our membership?

Principle 4. Autonomy and IndependenceCooperatives 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.   Guidance for Principle 4: “Co-operatives are autonomous, self-help organization’s” describes co-operatives as organization’s that have the freedom to act independently to govern themselves, control their own affairs and set their own rules of operation.  “Controlled by their members” refers back to the 2nd Principle of Democratic Member Control and incorporates member control into the concept of a co-operative’s autonomy and independence.  A co-operative is not autonomous and independent unless control rests with its members in accordance with sound, open, transparent and accountable democratic practice. How FC Co-op currently achieves this principle: FC Co-op’s Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation set the direction for the operation of the co-op. Changes to the bylaws, if any, are approved by a vote of the membership.  The development of this document is for the purpose of further clarifying the expectations of and best support for our membership. How can the Co-op improve on achieving this principle and better support our membership?

Principle 5. Education, Training, & Information Cooperatives provide education and training for 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 co-operation.   Guidance for Principle 5: “Co-operatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers and employees”, is a simple statement of what all co-operatives ought to do. Co-operatives ignore the responsibility of providing education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers and employees at their peril. This is an essential activity because it is fundamental to the success and sustainability of any co-operative enterprise. “So they can contribute effectively to the development of their co-operative” is the primary aim of co-op education: to enable the development of a successful and sustainable co-operative enterprise.  “They inform the general public, particularly young people and opinion leaders, about the nature and benefits of co-operation.” This sentence shows that a co-operative’s commitment to education is not simply inward facing to members, elected members, managers and employees, but outward facing too. It requires co-operatives to “inform the general public … about the nature and benefits of co-operation”. This obligation to inform others about the nature and benefits of co-operatives applies “particularly” to “young people and opinion leaders”. it is the next and upcoming generation. How FC Co-op currently achieves this principle: FC Co-op provides education, training, and information through five primary sources, 1. Through our “Mountain Thymes” eNewsletter, 2. Through our website at www.ferrycountynaturalmarket.com, 3. Through our social media Facebook page, 4. Through rack cards that are available at the Co-op and downloadable on our website, and 5. At our Annual Membership Meeting. How can the Co-op improve on achieving this principle and better support our membership?

Principle 6. Cooperation Among CooperativesCo-ops serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional, and international structures.   Guidance for Principle 6: “Co-operatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the co-operative movement by working together.” This statement recognizes the reality that while co-operatives can achieve much on a local level, they will achieve much more if they work together to create economies of scale and build mutual representative strength, “By working together through local, national, regional and international structures.” How FC Co-op currently achieves this principle: FC Co-op moves toward the modern cooperative movement through development of this guidance document that helps us achieve each of the seven cooperative principles.  We monitor the modern cooperative movement through the expertise and guidance of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), the Northwest Cooperative Development Center, the National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA International, and other co-op development centers.  We monitor both State and Federal legislation that affects the cooperative movement, including responding to legislative proposals that would affect our membership and their benefits. https://ica.coop/, https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/all-programs/cooperative-services, https://nwcdc.coop/, https://ncbaclusa.coop/ How can the Co-op improve on achieving this principle and better support our membership?

Principle 7. Concern for The Community Cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies approved by their members.   Guidance for Principle 7: “Co-operatives work for the sustainable development of their communities.” This phase is both an observation and statement of fact. The co-operative value of “social responsibility and caring for others” is evidenced by co-operatives delivering benefits for the communities in which they operate as well as for their members “Through policies approved by their members”.  This places a duty on elected boards and management to seek approval from members in general assembly to policies that positively impact on the sustainable community development. How FC Co-op currently achieves this principle: When possible, FC Co-op sources store products such as produce, meats, dairy, and eggs from producers in our geographical area.  We strive to reduce packaging and reduce the use of plastic through cellulose packing material and reuseable bags.  We maintain an active consignment program where members can sell their home crafted products.  FC Co-op supports the community through donations of store and bakery products to community fundraisers, and sponsorship of community events.    How can the Co-op improve on achieving this principle and better support our membership?