What is a Cooperative

A cooperative is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise.1 Unlike in a typical workplace setting, where decisions flow from the top down, in the cooperative setting, member-owners actively participate in setting policies and decision-making. Additionally, members are also called owners who receive their share of profits in the form of dividend and patronage on top of the appropriate compensation and benefits that they receive.

Benefits of a Cooperative
Cooperatives all over the world follow the Cooperative Principles as established by the International Cooperative Alliance, the final authority for defining cooperatives and for elaborating the principles upon which cooperatives should be based. Part of the universally accepted principles of the cooperatives, as adopted by all cooperatives worldwide, is the member economic participation where cooperative members contribute equally to and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative.2 In turn, benefiting the members in proportion to their contribution and transactions. As a worker-owned cooperative, members are not only given security of tenure but also enjoy full employee benefits such as SSS, Philhealth, Pag-IBIG, paid leaves, and wages as provided by the law.

As a naturally voluntary organization, a cooperative is open to all people who are able and willing to use and accept the responsibilities of being a member, regardless of gender, race, religion, and political preference. Training, education, and information also form part of the benefits provide by a cooperative. As stipulated by the International Cooperative Alliance, cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperatives, and of course their self-development. Some of these trainings revolve around the nature and benefits of cooperation which will aid the member in the further understanding of what a cooperative is and its benefits. While some are inclined to the self-development of the members vis-à-vis their position in the cooperative.

Cooperatives do not only focus on their members but also outside their communities by providing programs to help the community they live in, such as medical mission, livelihood programs, medical and calamity assistance, and various job opportunities.           
 
 

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Asiapro is a pioneer multipurpose cooperative in the country providing customized managed services solutions to its clients and prides itself in being socially relevant especially to its members. Asiapro is a Bronze winner of Investors in People Award. Sa Asiapro, bawat isa Mahalaga.
To know more: go to www.asiapro.coop