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The Power of Co-Ops

Did you know that Credit Unions are cooperatives?  And that cooperatives are a serious business model that has been a force for fiscal and social advocacy?

Defined better by the National Cooperative Business Association:

A cooperative is a business. Co-ops range in size from small store-fronts to large Fortune 500 companies. In many ways, they’re like any other business; but in several important ways they’re unique and different.

Cooperatives
  • Are owned and democratically controlled by their members-the people who use the co-op’s services or buy its goods-not by outside investors; Co-op members elect their board of directors from within the membership.
  • Return surplus revenues (income over expenses and investment) to members proportionate to their use of the cooperative, not proportionate to their “investment” or ownership share.
  • Are motivated not by profit, but by service-to meet their members’ needs or affordable and high quality goods or services; Exist solely to serve their members.
  • Pay taxes on income kept within the co-op for investment and reserves. Surplus revenues from the co-op are returned to individual members who pay taxes on that income.
Learn more about this movement in the Triangle area with an excellent article by Jeff Hardin, Director of Communication for the NC Credit Union League. Details

2012 is the International year of the Cooperative, learn more about the effort to spread knowledge about this business model and how it helps people all around the world. Details

Finally, watch this great video showing exactly why you should Choose a Co-Op:

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