Their priority is to give economic benefits to the members, not to make money for the investor. Return of Margins to Members - Cooperatives return revenues in excess of costs to the members. All members receive a refund in proportion to the amount of money they put into the cooperative. Members must understand how their cooperative works in order to help it be successful. Cooperative Cooperation - Cooperatives of all types should share materials and expertise whenever necessary.
Cooperatives know better than anyone that they can accomplish more together than separately.
Concern for Community - Cooperatives are only successful if their members and the communities they live in are successful. Cooperatives should be committed to improving the quality of life of members. These principles were set down by people who were tired of paying too much for too little. By working together and writing down specific rules, the pioneers were able to help themselves. Today the member-owners of cooperatives across the United States reap the benefits of what they learned about cooperation.