What are the benefits of a cooperative?

The main benefit is that the members of a cooperative society are working together for a common goal. This could be to produce and sell a commodity, or to raise funds to build a community facility like a kindergarten or baby health centre. The members have a vested interest not only financially but morally. This solidarity usually keeps the project moving to a quick conclusion and establishes a sense of community.

A cooperative society is a legal entity, with a formal set of rules. There are many types of cooperative societies. Shares are bought by members and each member has the right to vote to appoint directors and make policy decisions. There are regular meetings. If a member wishes to leave the cooperative, his or her share will be sold to a new member. The rules of the society will say whether the original share money is refunded.

Check out en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cooperative