CO-OP PRINCIPLESCo-operatives are voluntary associations of people to meet economic, social, or cultural needs.

Asgard Green is a not-for-profit housing co-operative
whose primary goal is to provide safe, affordable housing
to its members.All co-operative organizations operate
with the same co-op principles.

These principles were established by the International
Co-operative Alliance, the organization that represents
co-operatives worldwide.

1. VOLUNTARY MEMBERSHIP:
Membership in Asgard Green is voluntary, and is open to anyone who accepts the responsibility of being a member.

2. DEMOCRATIC CONTROL:
Co-ops are democratic organizations, where the membershiphas a say in how the organization is managed and run. At Asgard Green, each member has one vote at General Meetings, and all members are encouraged to becomeinvolved in helping to run the co-op.

3. ECONOMIC PARTICIPATION:
All members contribute fairly to their co-ops. Members are expected to pay their housing charges on time. Asgard Green is a non-profit organization; any surplus money is used for the benefit of the whole co-op.

4. INDEPENDENCE:
Asgard Green is an autonomous organization.
Although the co-op does receive funding from different
levels of government, it maintains its independence
of these organizations.

5. CO-OPERATIVE EDUCATION:
The co-op budgets for training. Members can take workshops or attend educational events so that they have the necessary skills and knowledge to carry out their co-op tasks.

6. CO-OPERATION AMONG CO-OPERATIVES:
Asgard Green is a member of the local co-operative housing federation (COCHF) and a member of the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada (CHF). The co-op also belongs to the local credit union.

7. COMMUNITY:
Asgard Green strives to maintain a sense of community among its members. As well, all co-ops are part of the larger community, and have a responsibility to contribute to that
larger community.