Montie House 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. Cooperatives are based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity. In the tradition of their founders, cooperative members believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility and caring for others. The cooperative principles are guidelines by which cooperatives put their values into practice.
1. Open & Voluntary Membership: Cooperatives are voluntary organizations, open to all persons able and willing to use their services to accept the responsibilities of membership, regardless of gender, social, racial, political, religious, disability, or national association.
2. Democratic Member Control: Cooperatives are democratic organizations in which members have the opportunity to take an active hand in the crafting and implementation of all policy changes and decision making. Individuals serving in elected e-board positions are accountable to the membership body, as well as to each other. All cooperative members, regardless of seniority, have equal voting rights within the house (1 person = 1 vote). Any changes made to the constitution, or any significant changes to the house dynamic such as membership, requires a 2/3 majority from the house.
3. Economic Participation from Members: Members contribute equitably to, and therefore democratically control, the capital of their cooperative. As members usually receive limited compensation, if any, on the capital they attribute as a condition of membership, at least a portion of the capital is considered common property of the cooperative. Membership will collectively allocate surpluses for purposes including: developing the cooperative, setting up reserves, benefitting members in proportion to their transactions with the cooperative, and supporting other activities approved by the membership body.
4. Autonomy & Independence: Cooperatives are independent and autonomous organizations governed by their membership body. If the organization chooses to enter into agreements with external entities or raise capital from external sources, they may only do so while ensuring the democratic control of the co-op by their members and the maintenance of said sovereignty.
5. Education, Training, and Information: Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperatives. They inform the general public about the nature and benefits of cooperative living.
6. Cooperation Among Cooperatives: Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures.
7. Community Preservation: Cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies approved by their members.