RALEIGH, N.C.–CUNA’s chairman would like to see the Seven Cooperative Principles amended to also include language related to diversity and inclusion.
During an interview as part of Black History Month, Maurice Smith, CUNA chairman and CEO of Local Government FCU, said in a blog on CUNA’s website he is calling for the International Co-operative Alliance to do more than just talk about diversity and inclusion and to add diversity as a guiding principle.
“While the principles touch on fairness, openness, and democracy, there is no principle that comes out and openly touts the idea of inclusion and diversity,” stated Smith.
New Sensibilities
Smith noted the cooperative principles were established in 1844, 20 years before the Emancipation Proclamation and more than 60 years before women had the right to vote. “These were established at a time when our sensibilities were different,” Smith wrote. “It’s different today than it was then. We have changed as a world and changed as a co-op community.”
Smith further wrote that there is more to diversity and inclusion than financial access for members, and that “it must be everywhere from the grassroots of our communities to the top of our credit unions or we will not fully serve our purpose.”
Smith stated that when people see others like themselves in all aspects of the cooperative, they can see themselves as being a participating member. “It lays out for the whole world to see that opportunities are available,” Smith wrote. “To the extent that a community or organization sets out to tell the world that they are open for business to everyone, it gives hope to everyone at the table.”
The 7 Principles
Smith acknowledged adding a new principle is an uphill battle. “There has been a lot of conversation about this,” Smith wrote. “It requires an international congress of co-ops, an alliance, if we are going to change the principles.”
The Seven Cooperative Principles are:
- Open membership
- Democratic member control
- Member economic participation
- Autonomy and independence
- Education, training, and information
- Cooperation among cooperatives
- Concern for community