What are the advantages of the Co-op Model and what do they offer today’s youth?
Apr 21, 2009
Co-operatives have a long and successful tradition in both Canada and around the world and have proven to be amazingly flexible in meeting a wide variety of needs.
a) Co-ops help people obtain goods and services that they may not otherwise be able to afford on their own. By pooling their purchasing power through a co-op, members can obtain the products and services they can afford.
b) Because co-ops are open to everyone, each member has an equal vote so they can be more accountable and inclusive than other organizations.
c) Co-ops help build stronger communities. Since most co-ops are community and regionally based, investment in and surplus revenue from the co-op stay within the local community. Every dollar invested in the local co-op has a significant multiplier effect in the community.
d) Co-ops enable communities to have a degree of self-determination that is less subject to outside forces.
e) Co-ops are more stable than conventional private businesses and have a higher survival rate; Over 5 year’s co-ops have a 64% survival rate while private business has a 36% survival rate. Over 10 years co-ops have a 46% survival rate while private business has a 20% survival rate
f) Co-ops continue to stand for human rights and sustainable development. They give youth the chance to earn a living while adhering to their morals and beliefs, the ability to help yourself and others, there are community and international development opportunities and social, academic, economic options plus many more possibilities…
Sounds pretty cool hey?
ZDog
