The Centre was founded in 1990 to provide education and training for co-operatives. Over time, we have evolved in response to emerging needs and opportunities, influenced by our growing knowledgebase and by the skills and interests of our people.
We work with boards and management to deliver practical governance solutions.
Co-operative Services
"By mutual confidence and mutual aid,
Great deeds are done, and great discoveries made;"
The Iliad, Homer 800 B.C.E.
Co-operatives have a rich history of service in many forms throughout the world.
International Co-operative Alliance (ICA), the international peak body of co-operative organisations, adopted a Statement on the Co-operative Identity at its 1995 congress. This statement includes a co-operation definition: “A co-operative 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.”
To see the full ICA statement click here - ICA Statement
Co-operatives can be found in almost every field of activity.
Examples of co-operatives currently providing services to members in Australia: antique collectors; artists; arts and crafts; barristers’ services; beef producers; bus and coaches; bush foods and products; bush land regeneration; cane growers; carriers’; coffee growers; community arts centres; community clubs; community food buying; community radio; community services; dairy; education and training; egg producers; employment services; energy; estate agents; family day care centres; fish producers; fruit producers; galleries; gold; golf clubs; gourmet meats; hairdresser buying; harvesting; herbs and spices; historical activities; housing tenants; kindergartens; libraries; liquor supply; marinas; marketing; meals-on-wheels; meat producers; media; medical services; music; native fish; native hardwood; newsagents; olives; packaging; permaculture; pet care; pre school; professional services; publishing; railways; recycling; rural education; sailing clubs; saw-millers; ski lodges; sugar milling; taxis; transport and haulage; water supply; wine consumers; winemakers; women’s refuges; wood-turners; labour supply; and youth theatre.
For every challenge there is a co-operative solution.
The Mercury Centre has been involved in co-operative development since its inception and offers a range of services in the formation and ongoing support for co-operatives.
For more about co-operatives, refer to Resources.
Co-operative Development
The Mercury Centre has a history of co-operative development since its inception and offers a range of services in the formation and ongoing support of co-operatives.
For new groups seeking to form co-operatives, we can assist with the formation processes such as formation disclosure statements, rules development, active membership provisions, membership strategies, marketing and publicity, and liaison with the Registry of Co-operatives.
For existing co-operatives, we can assist with rules revision, democratic processes such as elections and participation strategies, and membership strategies such as representatives and consultative structures.
For other structures such as companies and incorporated associations, we can assist with the conversion to a co-operative.
Co-operative Education
The 5th Principle in the International Co-operative Alliance Statement on the Co-operative Identity focuses on education, training and information.
A key component of a successful co-operative is the education of members and staff in co-operative difference – a combination of values and approach that sets co operatives apart in their way of doing things.
The Mercury Centre can develop a program of co-operative education for both members and staff to suit your needs.
Co-operative Communication
The need for effective co-operative communication to members is as important as education.
Co-operatives should have a clear co-operative communications strategy to engage and activate the membership.
The Mercury Centre can provide advice and assistance in cost effective ways to communicate with members through a range of formats, techniques, publicity and promotion.
ICA Statement on Co-operative Identity
Definition
A co-operative 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.
Values
Co-operatives are based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity, and solidarity. In the tradition of their founders, co-operative members believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility, and caring for others.
Principles
The co-operative principles are guidelines by which co-operatives put their values into practice.
1st Principle: Voluntary and Open Membership Co-operatives are voluntary organisations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political, or religious discrimination.
2nd Principle: Democratic Member Control Co-operatives are democratic organisations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions. Men and women serving as elected representatives are accountable to the membership. In primary co-operatives members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote), and co-operatives at other levels are also organised in a democratic manner.
3rd Principle: Member Economic Participation Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their co-operative. At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the co-operative. Members usually receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a condition of membership. Members allocate surpluses for any or all of the following purposes: developing their co-operative, possibly by setting up reserves, part of which at least would be indivisible; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the co-operative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership.
4th Principle: Autonomy and Independence Co-operatives are autonomous, self-help organisations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organisations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their co-operative autonomy.
5th Principle: Education, Training and Information Co-operatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their co-operatives. They inform the general public - particularly young people and opinion leaders - about the nature and benefits of co-operation.
6th Principle: Cooperation Among Cooperatives Co-operatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the co-operative movement by working together through local, national, regional, and international structures.
7th Principle: Concern for Community Co-operatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies approved by their members.
Resources
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ICA Co-operative Identity | International Co-operative Alliance Statement on the Co-operative Identity |
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Innovative Co-ops in the Social Services Sector | The report of a research study on the development of social co-operatives around the world to benefit people with developmental disabilities and mental illness |
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The Co-operative Difference | A presentation on Co-operatives in Australia by Peter Gates, Chief Executive of The Mercury Centre and Suzanne Henderson, Editor, CCC eNews to Cosmopolitan Civil Societies Research Centre seminar Developing Research Agendas in November 2007. |
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Overview of Co-operatives | An overview of co-operatives taken from the Regulatory Impact Statement for the introduction of the new Co-operatives Regulation 2005, issued by the Policy & Strategy Division of the Office of Fair Trading, NSW Department of Commerce. |
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A forum for social commentary, news and events, industry features, case studies and profiles, research papers and reports. The aim is to advocate the role of cooperatives and the social economy in Australia and overseas. CCC eNews is published by the Centre for Australian Community Organisations and Management at the University of Technology Sydney |
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The Co-operative Federation of NSW - is the peak body of the co-operative sector in New South Wales. |
