Members of consumer cooperatives may benefit from cash discounts available only to members and from access to certain food products not readily available elsewhere. Members of a child care cooperative benefit from reducing the cost of care or from controlling or otherwise influencing the environment in which they leave their children. Members of housing cooperatives benefit from controlling their living environments and how they relate to their neighbors. Members of worker cooperatives benefit from defining the way their work is organized and managed. Voluntary and open membership.
Cooperatives are voluntary and non-discriminatory organizations.
Membership is open without regard to gender, social class, race, political affiliation, or religious beliefs. Democratic member control. Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting policies and decision making. Member economic participation. Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative.