OBJECTS PRINCIPLES AND METHODS OF THE Y.C.W. COOPERATIVE MOVEMENT PDF version of the original document available here For the benefit of Directors and Office-bearers of Societies, the Bulletin publishes a Statement of Objects, Principles and Methods which the Co-operative Development Society has adopted as being the requirement of a Christian Co-operative Movement. The Statement will be subject to review from time to time. As this is the first time it has been published, Boards of the Societies are invited to forward to the Secretary of the Development Society, 157 A'Beckett Street, Melbourne any comments or suggestions for review which they consider would be useful. The Statement is as follows:-
OBJECT To achieve the introduction of a Christian social order so that all citizens will be assisted to live full Christian lives.
MEANS Economic and social co-operation coupled with education, both based on Christian principles.
EXPOSITION OF CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES We look to the Church as the custodian of God's teaching and particularity this teaching as expressed in “Rerum Novarum”, “Quadragesimo Anno” and “Mater et Magistra”.
PHILOSOPHY OF MOVEMENT The philosophy on which the Movement will be built is contained in these six principles:- 1. The primacy of the individual. 2. Social reform must come through education. 3. Education must begin with the economic. 4. Education must be through group action. 5. Effective social reform involves fundamental changes in social and economic institutions. 6. The ultimate objective of the Movement is a full and abundant life for everyone in the community.
CO-OPERATIVE The principles first laid down by the Rochdale pioneers and as expounded by Antigonish are adopted, namely:- (i) Democratic Control. (ii) Open membership. (iii) Limited returns on capital. (iv) Sale of goods at competitive retail prices, (v) Rebate in proportion to patronage. (vi) Education.
CO-OPERATIVE PRACTICES Setting aside of reserves. Cash Trading.
PRINCIPLE ON CONSTITUTION OF MOVEMENT That the Movement would consist of a series of self controlled co-operatives formed as the need arises and education programme warrants. The guiding principle as to control shall be that a larger organisation will not “be established to do do or take over a function that a smaller one can do effectively. Local societies should co-ordinate with other societies by all appropriate channels, e.g. association.
EDUCATION METHODS Initial basis for education through co-operation is that persons with similar problems getting together to seriously discuss them invariably activate the Providence of God and reach a satisfactory solution. This education can be developed and conveyed through the following techniques:- (i) Cottage Discussions, (ii) Study Groups, (iii) Rallies, (iv) Conventions, (v) Conferences, (vi) Schools, (vii) Meetings. (viii) Publications sind printed material.
RELIGIOUS DEVELOPMENT To remind all concerned of our Christian foundation and purpose and to assist in the development of a true spirit, our Movement should have:- Prayers at meetings. Display of crucifix or other religious articles. Religion brought into Directors meetings. Annual Retreats for leaders.
MEMBERSHIP We recommend local societies should:- (a) Always commence with Catholics. (b) Expand to non-Catholics in due course. (c) But he prepared to accept non-Catholic members at beginning if they are willing to accept the Christian principles of our Movement.
RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER CATHOLIC ORGANISATIONS The Co-operative Movement to grow up independent of any other Catholic organisation.
RELATIONSHIP WITH SECULAR COOPERATIVE ORGANISATIONS Sections of the Y.C.W. Co-operative Movement to be prepared to Co-operate with these in any way for our mutual benefit provided our dealings with them are as groups of societies to their organisations and we are able to protect our Christian principles.
REVIEW OF PRESENT MOVEMENT We regard the present components of our Co-operative Movement as all able to give opportunity for effective development of the Movement.
LOCAL DEVELOPMENT We support the local development of trading societies or some secondary development to credit societies but we recommend promoters of any such development to:- (i) Fully investigate local need. (ii) Carry out adequate pre-formation education, (iii) Check up on relationship or link with any other existing co-operatives. (iv) Launch new development with a suitable post formation education programme in mind.
PRE-FORMATION EDUCATION
1. Have approval of local Parish Priest. 2. Carry out in conjunction with Co-operative Development Society a programme of cottage discussions till (1) at least 30 people have participated and shown interest in supporting the proposed Co-operative and (2) sufficient potential directors and office bearers have shown their willingness to act. 3. Prepare public formation meeting with specific invitation to those cottage discussion participants and pulpit announcement to all other Parishioners:- 4. Cottage discussion and preparation for formation meeting must covert- (a) Co-operative Principles, (b) Legal set up of Society, (c) Practical operation of proposed Society, (d) Relationship with other Co-operatives. 5. Where formation is a secondary development, support of general members of existing co-operative society or societies in locality should be sought at their general meeting.
POST FORMATION EDUCATION 1. Form local development committee. 2. Personal link with Co-operative Development Society. 3. Obtain Co-operative Development literature. 4. Cottage discussions. 5. Study groups. 6. General meetings.
MEMBERSHIP TRADING SOCIETY We recommend that to preserve and develop the spirit of personal responsibility and personal education local societies should aim at trading with individuals only, and should certainly restrict trading with non-members to 10% at the maximum. Persons becoming members must apply for five £1 shares but can trade before their shares are fully paid.
ACCEPTANCE OF DEVELOPMENT PRINCIPLES Any new formation which comes about through any contact with this Development Society is required to affirm that it subscribes to these principles and is prepared to join any appropriate association and to pay its educational contributions to the appropriate body.
|