Following
the same concept as other cooperative types,
the consumer cooperative is
based
on the democratic controlled by members. As
it is impossible for all members to manage
the
cooperative store, representatives are elected
as Steering Committee to look after the
cooperative
business. The number of Steering Committee
members depends on the
cooperative's
by-laws and what is appropriate to the cooperative
which is normally ranging
between
10 to 15 persons. The Steering Committee represents
the members in all matters having
to
do with the shop, overseeing all activities
according to cooperative laws and regulations,
resolutions
of the board of directors, and other appropriate
ways to ensure good results for the
cooperative
store and its members.
To effectively manage the cooperative
store, the board of directors could hire
a skilled
and
honest manager to operate the cooperative.
His/her mandate is to effectively serve
members
and customers. Depending on the workload
and economic need, the manager may
recruit
staff with the agreement of the board of
directors.
Consumer cooperatives strive to provide
services for both members and non-members
according
to the principles of the Rochdale leaders
as follows:
Selling goods at market prices or slightly
lower than market prices so as to avoid
conflict with neighboring shops;
Selling high-quality goods, not low-quality
ones, as required by most of the members;
Being accurate in weighing, scooping, and
measuring goods;
Buying a variety of daily necessities for
sale to members; and
Selling goods on cash basis to ensure a
good cash flow for the shop, ability to
make purchases at reasonable cost and prevent
delinquency among members.
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