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. (The International Co-operative Alliance’s Statement on the Co-operative Identity)

For FlyThe.Coop this means that our members jointly own FlyThe.Coop and can control it’s growth and have a say on the descisions which need making in a democratic way – 1 member, 1 vote. FlyThe.Coop exists to promote Co-Working and Collaboration and provide spaces for that to happen so that freelancers and/or small companies can find work with one another and so that new and innovative things can happen as a result!

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. (Statement on the Co-operative identity)

These values are important to FlyThe.Coop. We won’t provide work for our members, it is up to them to find work and be responsible for that and to support one another when possible. We are democratically run, so members get to have their say on what services FlyThe.Coop provides and what it does with it’s profit. We firmly belive in equality and welcome anybody to come and work in our spaces, regardless of sex, race, religion or sexuality. (We do however align ourselves with The Co-operative Bank’s Ethical Policy which means we will not allow anybody working in the extraction of fossil fuels, arms trade or animal experimentation for cosmetic or household products to work in our spaces.)

The co-operative principles are the guidelines by which FlyThe.Coop put our values into practice. (Statement on the Co-operative identity)

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 to 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: Co-operation among Co-operatives

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.