The Rooted Carrot is a start-up food co-op continually establishing and growing itself in membership and benefit to Cedar Falls, Waterloo, and the surrounding communities. And, like all cooperative businesses, we are governed by seven co-op principles that make us distinct from most other organizations. In previous editions of the Garlic Press, you read about the first, second, and third principles.
The fourth principle is Autonomy and Independence. Its definition is: “A cooperative 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.”
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 co-operative autonomy.
Members of co-ops may define their organizational goals and set policies any way they choose. These goals and policies are set by the Board and Board members are elected by member-owners. Are you interested in running for a Co-op Board position? Candidate packets will be available this summer and elections will happen this fall. Contact us at info@rootedcarrot.coop if you are interested!