Members are the most important part of a co-operative-they are the owners of the business and their needs are the reason for its existence. Just as the board and management of a co-operative have specific duties and responsibilities, members have certain responsibilities and rights which they must accept and exercise for the business to effectively meet their needs.

Member responsibilities include:

• patronize and use the services provided by the co-operative;
• be informed about the co-operative;
• finance the co-operative through the purchase of shares and other forms of member investment;
• attend meetings and participate on committees and in other activities of the organization;
• assist in amending the rules and other legal documents as required;
• evaluate the performance of the co-operative;
• communicate complaints and suggestions to management and board of directors;
• support the development of other co-operatives;
• elect and evaluate directors.

Member rights normally include:

• adopt and amend the Memorandum of Association and Rules of the co-operative;
• elect, and if necessary, remove directors of the business;
• dissolve, merge or consolidate the co-op or form a joint venture with others;
• require officers, directors, and other agents to comply with the law under which the business was set up, and with its Memorandum of Association, Rules and membership and marketing agreements;
• hold directors and officers liable for damage injurious to members;
• examine the annual reports.

Adapted from Understanding Cooperatives: Who Runs the Cooperative Business? Members, fact sheet prepared by the United States Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Services.