President County Presidents Board of Directors Staff Outreach Coordinators History Mission Union Farmer Union Farmer Extra Membership Events Personal Growth Producers Collegiate Chapters Educational Resources Membership Form County Secretary Report Address Change Archives Cooperatives Co-ops at a Glance Co-op Q & A Co-op Principles Co-op History Co-op Services Co-op Directors Co-op Managers Co-op Partners Co-ops in the News   COOPERATIVE PRINCIPLES The cooperative movement began October 24, 1844, when a group of 28 laborers scrimped and saved a total of 28 pounds ($110) to form a local cooperative to help them survive in the low-wage textile factories of Rochdale, England. The prospective members had no example to guide them … only theory and hope to achieve their dream of operating a cooperative store. This group developed eight cooperative principles that provided the framework for the cooperative movement that we see today.   ORIGINAL ROCHDALE PRINCIPLES Click title below to read about a particular principle. Open, Voluntary Membership Democratic Control Limited Return, If Any, On Equity Capital Net Surplus Belongs To User-Owners Honest Business Practices Ultimate Aim Is To Advance Common Good Education Cooperation Among Cooperatives Over the years, the original Rochdale Cooperative Principles have evolved into the basic cooperative principles used today.   TODAY'S COOPERATIVE PRINCIPLES Click on title below to read about a particular principle. Voluntary and Open Membership Democratic Member Control Members' Economic Participation Autonomy and Independence Education, Training, and Information Cooperation Among Cooperatives Concern for Community