Resources

Co-operative Education Publications

The Co-op Start-Up Manual

Co-op Advantage Director Kit

Co-operative Identity Program Workshop

The Co-operative Bumblebee

The Democracy Principle - Farmer Co-operatives in Twentieth Century

A key theme throughout the book by co-operative historian Gary Lewis  is the devastating consequence for co-operatives of a common failure to commit to an ongoing co-operative education program. Author Gary Lewis argues that there are various reasons for the establishment and development of co-operatives but that the democracy principle is the co-operative difference. He argues that the democracy principle is the idea held by Australian farmers that it is possible in a capitalist society to democratically own and control a business on a one-member-one vote basis.

 Co-operatives Australia has published a series  of statements on the co-operative option:

Public Policy and Co-operatives
This is the first statement released by Co-operatives Australia in April 2009. Co-operatives Australia has published this paper to demonstrate the economic and social value that can be delivered by vo-operative businesses and the need for public policy to incorporate the co-operative option. (April 2009)

Australia's Top 100 Co-operatives, Credit Unions and Mutuals
Co-operatives Australia has published a top 100 list of co-operatives, credit unions and mutuals by annual turnover. The list demonstrates their economic and social impact. Co-operatives Australia expressly disclaims any warranties or representations, express or implied, of any kind as to the accuracy and completeness of the list and invites any of the entities listed to supply evidence to support any requested corrections. (June 2009)

Co-operative Education
Co-operatives Australia has published this paper to affirm the importance of co-operative education to the co-operative business model e.g. agricultural, child care, commodity, fishing, housing and retail co-operatives. (March 2010)

Valuing Co-operation
Co-operatives Australia has published this paper to affirm the importance of co-operatives recognising that demutualisation is not inevitable; that a subsequent loss of member ownership and control has significant consequences; that there are alternative strategic and structural choices, and that balanced information is the prerequisite to informed choice. (April 2010)

Co-operative College UK Publications

National Co-op Update was published by Words in Time between 1995 and 2002. Forty issues were published.

By arrangement with Words in Time pdf copies of National Co-op Update are available on this web site.