What is the History of Co-ops?
Co-ops like Global Village are an integral part of the U.S. and world economy. The top 100 Co-ops, such as, Sunkist, Land O’ Lakes, Ace Hardware, Foremost Farms, and the U.S. Central Credit Union, contribute over 124 billion dollars to the U.S. economy yearly. The primary focus of a Co-op is to provide service to its Members. Co-ops give people ownership, community empowerment, and control over their future.
Who owns and controls Global Village?
People are not just Members, they own the company! Global Village is a not-for-profit Co-op association. Unlike for-profit corporations, Co-op ownership allows everyone to share the economic power as well as give common objectives to different people and immediately broadens their interest.
The primary focus of Global Village is to provide services, products, and “cash rewards” to Members. Any surplus revenues left after paying “cash rewards,” “commissions,” and operating expenses must be paid to the Members in direct proportion to their patronage.
Members elect their own Board of Directors. The Board hires a management team that is responsible for the day-to-day operations. Global Village, like other Co-ops, is democratically run – one member, one vote. This policy ensures equitable control by all the Members, not just a select few. Global Village has open Membership and is neutral in all matters pertaining to ethnic origin, religion, race, gender, and politics.
How does Global Village relate to the community?
Cooperative Associations or Co-ops similar to Global Village have been around for hundreds of years. Co-ops have proven themselves to be excellent and successful vehicles for communities to:
- Develop an economic base
- Create jobs and business opportunities for everyone regardless of economic or social status
- Foster an environment wherein all ethnic groups can work together for the mutual progress of all
Why should businesses pay a Cash Reward?
Members and Ambassadors of Global Village believe in shopping where they are “rewarded” for their “patronage.” The research shows that most businesses are willing to pay a “cash reward” when you send them a customer. Paying a “cash reward” is good business and enables people to recycle their own money back to themselves.
What is Key to the success of Global Village?
The key is ongoing education and information about why Co-ops are the most successful form of “economic democracy” in the world today. Global Village provides Members with ongoing information on how to better utilize their “consumer power,” as well as continuing information about how and why Co-ops work for the mutual benefit of all.
What is a Global Village Ambassador?
Global Village Ambassadors are in business for themselves and have a contractual agreement with the Global Village Management Company to provide sales/marketing services that will help the Co-op prosper by attracting new Members and Merchants. As a Global Village Ambassador you can do “Friendship Building” (Network Marketing) and “Direct Sales.” Friendship Building commissions are paid through a 7 by 7 multi-level system that pays 10% on each level. Direct sales commissions are paid on two levels when merchants are signed-up by Ambassadors.
Any Global Village Member can choose to become an Ambassador at no cost. To ensure the success of each Ambassador, Global Village provides a comprehensive Business Success Manual. The information in this manual is designed to help Ambassadors effectively market the products/services of Global Village to the general public.
The Seven Principles Of Cooperation
The International Cooperative Alliance
Manchester, England
September 1995
VOLUNTARY AND OPEN MEMBERSHIP
Cooperatives 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.
DEMOCRATIC MEMBER CONTROL
Cooperatives 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 cooperatives, members have equal voting rights – one member, one vote – and cooperatives at other levels are organized in a democratic manner.
MEMBER’S ECONOMIC PARTICIPATION
Member’s contribute equally to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative. At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the cooperative. They 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 the cooperative, possibly by setting up reserves, part of which at least would be indivisible; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the cooperative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership.
AUTONOMY AND INDEPENDENCE
Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organizations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their cooperative autonomy.
EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND INFORMATION
Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperatives. They inform the general public – particularly young people and opinion leaders – about the nature and benefits of cooperation.
COOPERATION AMONG COOPERATIVES
Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional, and international structures.
CONCERN FOR COMMUNITY
While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies accepted through their members.