DCCS believes in the power of collaboration and cooperation, which means that our principles can be traced back to the earliest modern cooperatives. One of the most prominent examples of these ideals was first set forth by the Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers in 1844.
Our members own and control DCCS, and we feel as though members who are truly invested will create better work. While other corporations may focus on private shareholders and their dividends, DCCS remains focused on forging partnerships that help us remain productive and profitable, while also positively impacting the world around us.
Every organization has some core set of values, but the cooperative principles lay the foundation for operating a business in a more open, democratic, and ethical manner. We believe that this will not only help our members feel more empowered and autonomous but that it will also improve the positive impact that we can have on the world as a whole.
While these principles have been refined and reinterpreted over the years, they remain vital to our overall vision, philosophy, and mission.
DCCS believes in accepting members who can reasonably use our services and who can accept the responsibilities of our membership. Our organization is distributed and decentralized, meaning that our members can work from anywhere in the world.
We believe that there is strength in diversity, and we absolutely do not discriminate based on religion, race, gender, or economic circumstances.
DCCS members control the organization as a whole, and they are expected to actively participate in policy and decision-making. Representatives may be elected among members, and are accountable to them.
Democratic organizations require active participation, and we encourage our members to engage.
Members will contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of the cooperative. Members can allocate surpluses for any and all of the following reasons: developing the cooperative, benefiting members in proportion to transactions with the cooperative, and other actions approved by the membership.
DCCS believes that this business structure helps our organization remain more democratic. In addition, at least some portion of our capital will always be reserved as common property.
By definition, cooperatives are autonomous. While some corporations are owned by a select few, a cooperative operates on a different model. The cooperative is wholly owned and controlled by its various members, as mentioned above.
DCCS can enter into agreements with various organizations, governments, and funding partners. However, the agreement must respect the autonomy of the cooperative business model and democratic control of the organization will be maintained.
At DCCS, we genuinely believe that education is a lifelong process. Our members can contribute more effectively to the cooperation if they are educated and/or trained, and pledge to provide our members with the resources to do so.
We will also continue to educate and spread awareness about the benefits of cooperatives so that both legislators and the general public can remain informed about its advantages.
We believe that our products and services can help make the world a better place, but also believe that we should take advantage of our success by re-investing some of our profits back into the communities that make our work possible. If our “success” comes at the expense of the community around us - it truly isn’t “success” at all.
We expect our members to approve policies that improve the sustainable development of our respective communities. While DCCS remains focused on member needs, we also hope to bolster local economies through our business and improve the quality of life within those communities.
