How to shape your co-op’s identity: The importance of mission, vision, and values

Building a co-operative involves a lot of planning, including developing key documents, policies, and procedures. While these steps can seem tedious, they are essential in shaping the co-op’s identity. One of the most engaging parts of this process is creating the mission, vision, and value statements. These statements are important because they help define the co-op’s purpose and give shareholders a chance to contribute to its identity from the beginning.
Mission Statement
The mission statement explains what the co-operative does and why it exists. This should be a clear and concise statement that provides an overview of the co-op’s purpose. Everything the co-op does should align with this mission, serving as a guide for its actions and decisions.
Examples:
- Integris Credit Union: “We are committed to enhancing the well-being of our members, staff, and communities.”
- Upper Columbia Cooperative Council: “Thriving Participatory Communities.”
Vision Statement
The vision statement is more aspirational and inspirational than the mission statement. It describes the ideal outcome or societal goal the co-op aims to achieve. This statement helps envision the future and provides a shared goal for everyone involved in the co-op to work towards.
Examples:
- Saskatoon Community Clinic: “Healthy people in a healthy community.”
- Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL): “Federated Co-operatives Limited will set the world standard in consumer co-operative experience.”
Values Statement
A values statement outlines the core principles and priorities that guide the co-op’s operations and decision-making. It reflects what the co-op stands for and how it will conduct its business. The values should align with the co-op’s mission and vision and be evident in all of its activities.
Examples:
- Farmer Direct Co-op
“Guided by our strongly held core values, Farmer Direct Co-operative is dedicated to the creation of a fair and just food system. We pursue these goals with the highest integrity and respect. Through our actions, we aim to:- Support, protect, and promote sustainable, organic agriculture and environmental practices.
- Foster ethical and equitable relationships by providing fair return for producers’ products, fair wages, and safe and healthy workplaces for employees, and clear communication with all stakeholders.
- Provide producers with an opportunity for co-operative ownership of their food brand and marketing channels.
- Provide safe, nutritious food for consumers.”
- Servus Credit Union
- Member Service: “Serving our members is our primary focus and improving their financial well-being will always be our goal.”
- Integrity: “We’re an organization you can trust. We take ownership of our actions and we’re open to feedback from others.”
- Life/Work Balance: “We promote a healthy life/work balance for our employees that meets both their needs and the needs of our credit union.”
- Community: “We’re active participants in our members’ communities and are known for our generosity, spirit, and leadership.”
- Teamwork: “We’re a welcoming family, trusting and supportive, encouraging and collaborative, fun and professional.”
- Fairness: “We value each member and employee, and are reliable and flexible in our interactions with them.”
- Investing in Our People: “We believe success is achieved through our people. We work in partnership with our employees to help them reach their personal, professional, and corporate goals.”