Cooperatives are businesses that meet social needs through economic means.
Why a Cooperative?
The cooperative model is an innovative vehicle for community investment that operates on a one-member, one-vote basis to give all owners equal voice. Cooperatives are both for-profit and for-purpose businesses that meet social needs through economic means – for the Moscow Community Investment Cooperative, this means supporting a socially and culturally vibrant community while generating financial returns for Idaho residents who invest in the business.
Cooperative Values and Principles
Our business is based on the cooperative values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity, and solidarity – our owners and investors embrace the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility, and caring for others put these values into practice through the seven cooperative principles:
- Voluntary and Open Participation. MCIC is a voluntary organization, open to all persons able to invest in the cooperative and willing to accept the responsibilities of participation, without discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, political affiliation, religion, or any other social identity.
- Democratic Owner Control. MCIC is a democratic organization controlled by its owners who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions. Our owners have equal voting rights (one owner, one vote) and those serving as elected representatives on the MCIC board of directors are accountable to all owners of the cooperative.
- Owner Economic Participation. Our owners contribute equitably and democratically to control the capital of the cooperative. A share of that capital, including the properties to be purchased by the MCIC, will be held in common by the cooperative. The cooperative’s bylaws will allow surpluses to be used for any or all of the following purposes: developing the cooperative, setting up reserves, paying dividends on preferred stock, allocating equity to member capital accounts, and supporting other activities approved by our member-owners.
- Autonomy and Independence. MCIC is an autonomous, self-help organization controlled by its members. If MCIC enters into agreements with other organizations, including governments, or raises capital from external sources, it does so on terms that ensure democratic control by its owners and maintain the cooperative’s autonomy.
- Education, Training, and Information. MCIC will work to provide education and training for its owners, investors, elected representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of our cooperative and others. Our participants play an active role in informing the general public, particularly young people and opinion leaders, about the nature and benefits of cooperation.
- Cooperation among Cooperatives. MCIC advocates for and demonstrates the concept that cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional, and international structures.
- Concern for Community. MCIC will work for the sustainable development of our community through policies approved by our owners.
Concern for Community. MCIC will work for the sustainable development of our community through policies approved by our owners.