Values

Our co-operative principles

Being part of the co-operative provides leverage and opportunities to the advantage of each individual member, with all members playing an equal role in the governance and responsibility of the organisation.

Within CBH, our organisational values inspire and guide employees in their efforts to achieve our purpose to sustainably create and return value to grower-members.

Co-operatives are organisations that are owned, controlled and used by their members. They exist to deliver benefits to their members and are based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity.

CBH supports the seven co-operative principles by which co-operatives put their values into practice. These are:

• Voluntary and open membership
  A co-operative is a voluntary organisation, open to all persons able to use its services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination.

• Democratic member control
  A co-operative is a democratic organisation controlled by its members, who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions. Members serving as elected representatives are accountable to the membership. In co-operatives, other than co-operative groups, members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote). Co-operative groups are organised in a democratic manner.

• Member economic participation
  Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their co-operative. Usually, at least part of that capital is the common property of the co-operative. Usually, members receive limited compensation, if any, for capital subscribed as a condition of membership. Members of a co-operative allocate surplus for all or any of the following purposes:
  • Developing the co-operative, possibly by setting up reserves, at least part of which are indivisible; and benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the co-operative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership.

• Concern for community
  Co-operatives, while focusing on member needs, work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies accepted by their members.

• Autonomy and independence
  A co-operative is an autonomous, self-help organisation controlled by its members. If a co-operative enters into agreements with other organisations, including governments, or raises capital from external sources, it does so on terms that ensure democratic control by its members and maintains its autonomy.

• Education, training and information
  A co-operative provides education and training for its members, elected representatives, managers and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of the co-operative. A co-operative informs the general public, particularly young people and opinion leaders, about the nature and benefits of co-operatives.

• Co-operation among co-operatives
  Co-operatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the co-operative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures.

The Way We Work - CBH's Code of Conduct

CBH's Code of Conduct stems from our organisational values and sets standards and expectations to guide the behaviour and decisions of those employed by, contracted by, associated with or acting on behalf of CBH.