Cooperative Principles

Guiding and protecting your membership.

BEMC is organized under the Seven Cooperative Principles, anchoring us firmly in the communities we serve and ensuring we are closely regulated by our members.

Voluntary and Open Membership

Cooperatives are voluntary organizations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept membership responsibilities, without gender, social, racial, political, or religious discrimination.

Democratic Member Control

Each member has one vote to elect the board of directors, which is accountable to the membership.

Members’ Economic Participation

All members have an economic stake in the business based on their co-op purchases. When it is financially prudent, the board of directors can authorize a return of those capital credits to members.

Autonomy and Independence

Cooperatives 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.

Education, Training, and Information

Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperative. They inform the general public, particularly young people and opinion leaders, about the nature and benefits of cooperation.

Cooperation Among Cooperatives

Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional, and international structures.

Concern for Community

While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work to sustain their communities through policies accepted by their members.