Welcome!

The Montana Council of Cooperatives (MCOC) is a statewide organization promoting the cooperative business model.  Currently, the membership includes 80+ cooperatives from various sectors across the state.  Credit unions, ag producers,  mutal insurances, telephone cooperatives and electric cooperatives along with emerging and new cooperatives all belong to the Council giving it representation from a variety of businesses and industry. 

Cooperatives offer just about every good and service imaginable in the United States and around the globe! Here in Montana, we share a strong belief in the cooperative business model. As members of the Montana Council of Cooperatives, we advocate that the cooperative structure offers the best approach to providing some services and products.

By combining resources, talents and efforts, the Council strenthens individual cooperatives and the overall cooperative network in Montana. There is strength in numbers, espcially when all members are committed to operating true to the SEVEN COOPERATIVE PRINCIPLES that guide all cooperatives.

Seven Cooperative Principles

Cooperatives around the world generally operate according to the same core principles and values, adopted by the International Cooperative Alliance in 1995. The International Cooperative Alliance is a global membership association of co-ops and co-op support organizations. Cooperatives trace the roots of these principles to the first modern cooperative founded in Rochdale, England in 1844.

1. Voluntary and Open Membership
Cooperatives are voluntary organizations, open to all people able to use its services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination.

2. Democratic Member Control
Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members—those who buy the goods or use the services of the cooperative—who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions.

3. Members' Economic Participation
Members contribute equally to, and democratically control, the capital of the cooperative. This benefits members in proportion to the business they conduct with the cooperative rather than on the capital invested.

4. Autonomy and Independence
Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If the co-op enters into agreements with other organizations or raises capital from external sources, it is done so based on terms that ensure democratic control by the members and maintains the cooperative’s autonomy.

5. Education, Training and Information
Cooperatives provide education and training for members, elected representatives, managers and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperative. Members also inform the general public about the nature and benefits of cooperatives.

6. Cooperation among Cooperatives
Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures.

7. Concern for Community
While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of communities through policies and programs accepted by the members.

Mission Statement

 Uniting cooperatives to promote and foster cooperative principles by educating policy makers and the public about their benefits.

In Support of: