A Co-operative is an association of persons who have voluntarily joined together to provide themselves with a business that can supply them with products and services at minimal cost. The control of the business is in the hands of its member-owners who are legally the owners.

A Co-operative is also an organization where democratic control is the practice; an organization controlled by people, rather than dollars; an organization where member-owners have one vote and one vote only, regardless of how much money they have accumulated in share capital.

the principles of co-operation:
Voluntary and open membership
Democratic member control
Member economic participation
Autonomy and independence
Education, training and information