History of Cooperatives 1752: The first successful cooperative organized when Benjamin Franklin formed the Philadelphia Contributionship of the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire. 1844: The Rochdale Equitable Pioneers Society opened a cooperative store on Toad Lane in Rochdale, England. Toad Lane is considered the birthplace of modern cooperatives because the principles and practices of the Pioneers assured the success of the cooperative model.
About CSI Support & Development: CSI Support & Development Services is a resident/member controlled organization that utilizes a cooperative management system and engages its resident membership in decisionmaking at every level of its operations. For 46 years as a mission-driven non-profit, we exist solely to provide the highest quality, affordable housing communities possible for seniors.
this October
1865: Michigan passed the first law recognizing the cooperative method of buying and selling.
“Cooperatives are a reminder to the international community that it is possible to pursue both economic viability and social responsibility.”
1895: The International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) was established. 1916: The first national cooperative association formed--the National Cooperative Business Association.
– United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon
1922: Congress passed the Capper-Volstead Act allowing farmers to market products together without violating antitrust laws. 1929: Farm Credit Administration formed. 1934: National Credit Union Administration formed. 1936: Rural Electrification Administration formed. 1978: Congress passed the National Consumer Cooperative Bank Act, establishing the National Cooperative Bank.
8425 E. 12 Mile Road, Suite 100 Warren, Michigan 48093 Main office: 586-753-9002 Waitlist: 800-593-3052 www.csi.coop
Equal Housing Opportunity
What is a Cooperative? Cooperatives are founded upon unique and proven business values that put people before profits. These core values include honesty, openness, democracy, and social responsibility. As a customer of a cooperative, one has ownership in the cooperative. The cooperative business philosophy opens the door of opportunity to all members to an active role in the business.
C o-ops’ Significant Economical Impact:
Cooperatives allow members to voice concerns at meetings and to run for the board of directors. The “one member, one vote” philosophy gives all members an equal voice. Cooperatives are organized for many reasons, including: To provide services that private investor-owned companies may not find profitable enough.
To provide a measure of competition.
To reduce purchasing costs through volume buying.
To return money to local communities.
Almost 30 percent of farmers' products in the U.S. are marketed through cooperatives. More than 20 cooperatives have annual sales in excess of $1 billion. Credit unions have more than 70 million members and assets in excess of $300 billion. The Farm Credit System has 500,000 borrowers with a loan volume of $53.9 billion. Rural electric cooperatives operate more than half of the electric distribution lines in the United States and provide electricity for 25 million people. There are approximately one million cooperative housing units serving households with a range of income levels and housing needs. More than 50 million Americans are served by insurance companies owned by or closely affiliated with cooperatives. Consumer-owned and controlled cooperatives pioneered pre-paid, group practice health care. Today, cooperative health maintenance organizations (HMOs) provide health care services to nearly 1.4 million American families. Food cooperatives have been innovators in the marketplace in the areas of unit pricing, consumer protection and nutritional labeling. Retailer-owned food and hardware cooperatives make it possible for hundreds of independent store owners to successfully compete with large chains. Child care and nursery school cooperatives serve more than 50,000 families.
Ways to Celebrate Co-op Month:
Submit a photo of members at your coop working cooperatively. All collected photos will be shared on social media throughout the month of October. Email photos and descriptions to seniorhousing@csi.coop.
Host a breakfast for local government and business leaders in your community.
Host an open house for your community.
Organize a “Cooperatives Connecting Communities” fair with booths and exhibits.
Develop your own trivia contest about cooperatives within your co-op.
Host a classroom fieldtrip to your cooperative or bring your cooperative to a local classroom.
Ask your local public and/or school libraries about organizing a lecture series about cooperatives.