October is Co-op Month! Celebrated by cooperatives nationwide during the month of October, National Co-op Month is an annual opportunity to raise awareness of a trusted, proven way to do business and build resilient, inclusive communities.

While the co-op is not a non-profit organization, the seventh cooperative principle ensures that our focus includes policies and objectives that express our concern and commitment to the community.

These “seven basic international principles serve as guidelines to provide a democratic structure for co-ops around the world."

The “cooperative principles” are guidelines by which cooperatives put their values into practice. This month we will discuss Principles #3 and #4.

“What exactly is a co-op and why would I want to join?” This was the question my friend recently asked me.