Chapter 15 - EXHIBIT 15A • STATEMENT OF COOPERATIVE PRINCIPLES

• Jurisdiction: Colorado

EXHIBIT 15A • STATEMENT OF COOPERATIVE PRINCIPLES

The following statement of cooperative principles was adopted by the International Co-operative Alliance at a centennial convention in Manchester, England, in 1995, as follows:

INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATIVE ALLIANCE ICA Centennial Manchester, England 1995 STATEMENT ON THE 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 organizations, 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 organizations 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 organized 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...