Micro-Advocates Cooperative
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Membership Benefits
BELONG TO A COLLABORATIVE ECOSYSTEM
THAT CAN HELP YOU AND YOUR MICROBUSINESS THRIVE
Top 5 Benefits
by Diane Brehmer . Co-founder and Treasurer of Micro-Advocates Cooperative.
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Collaborate to gain access to affordable services to fit the unique needs of microbusiness
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Join with others to advocate for microbusiness
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List your Microbusiness in the Micro Advocates Directory
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Stay on top of issues affecting your Microbusiness
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Engage with other microbusinesses like yours
We believe a cooperative is the best way to build a healthy microbusiness community.
COMPLETE LIST OF FEATURES AND BENEFITS
Features
COOP VALUE PROPOSITION
1. Member Equity
- Shared ownership
- Equal voice and vote
- Annual Dividend
- Distributed Patronage – paid in cash
- Retained Patronage – build member equity
2. Member Return on Equity
3. The Value of Your Membership
Greater than the financial return on your share. Being a member will help make your business more efficient and profitable, and help you lead a healthy life as a microbusiness owner.
- Access to new markets – through group purchasing discounts ad discounts among members
- Opportunity Differences – access to markets, anti-monopoly force, innovation
- Price Differences – better pricing through group purchasing discounts
- Service Differences – services by micros tailored to micros joint services
- Information – unique access to information on micro products & services.
- Support for micro-business advocacy – a voice, a presence, support for advocacy
- Value of Risk Reduction – shared risk in the coop’s collaborative activities
WE EMBRACE THE COOPERATIVE PRINCIPLES
1. Voluntary and Open Membership
Cooperatives are voluntary organizations, open to all people able to use its services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination.
2. Democratic Member Control
Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members—those who buy the goods or use the services of the cooperative—who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions.
3. Members' Economic Participation
Members contribute equally to, and democratically control, the capital of the cooperative. This benefits members in proportion to the business they conduct with the cooperative rather than on the capital invested.
4. Autonomy and Independence
Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. Any agreements with other organizations or external sources of capital ensure democratic control by the members and maintain the cooperative’s autonomy.
5. Education, Training and Information
Coops provide education and training for members, elected representatives, managers and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their coop, and inform the public about the nature and benefits of coops.
6. Cooperation among Cooperatives
Coops serve their members most effectively and strengthen the coop movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures.
7. Concern for Community
While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of communities through policies and programs accepted by the members.
Source: The International Cooperative Alliance
