The co-operative principles are guidelines by which co-operatives put their values into practice.
Co-operatives around the world follow a set of principles based on principles drafted by the Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers in England in 1844. The modern co-operative movement is founded on the Rochdale Pioneers’ co-op model.
Adherence to the principles is usually voluntary, but some principles inform the legislation on which co-operatives operate. For example, democratic member control is a mandatory defining trait of co-operatives required by the Co-operative Association Act in BC.
On September 23, 1995, the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA), the body representing co-operatives around the world, adopted the following guiding principles (pdf) for co-ops of all kinds.
You can download a copy of these principles to share with your co-op, colleagues, and friends.