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Madison Principles Professional Standards for Cooperative Development Practitioners 1. Cooperative developers subscribe to the highest level of ethics and shall declare any conflict of interest, real or perceived, so that they can be a credible source of objective feedback and an articulate advocate of the project as needed. 2. There are essential development steps that must be taken in a critical path to success. 3. An enthusiastic group of local, trustworthy leaders is a prerequisite for providing technical assistance. The effective cooperative developer nurtures that leadership by helping them shape a vision that will unite members and provide ongoing training. 4. Cooperatives only work when they are market driven; the cooperative developer works to ensure that accurate market projections precede other development steps. 5. Member control through a democratic process is essential for success. Success also depends on the commitment of the members’ time, financial resources and loyalty to the cooperative. 6. There must be tangible benefits for members. 7. The cooperative’s products and services must generate sufficient revenue so the effort can be financially self-sustaining. Provisions must be made to share any surplus equitably. 8. Each cooperative responds to its unique economic, social and cultural context; as a consequence, each cooperative is different. 9. Cooperative developers link emerging cooperatives with established cooperatives to facilitate mutual communication and learning. 10. Cooperatives are tools for development and promote social empowerment and economic goals. 11. Applied appropriately, cooperatives have value to all population groups and for all businesses and services in the public and private sectors. 12. Opportunities for human cooperation exist throughout the world. Cooperative development transcends national boundaries. These principles are meant to guide both the steering committee and the professional developer. |
