About CWA

CO-OPERATIVES WA

STATEMENT OF CORPORATE INTENT

Vision -

To be viewed as a centre of excellence and an authority on co-operatives

Purpose -

Represent the interest of members at state and national level
Promote co-operative identity by advancing the core values and principles of the co-operative business model
Promote the co-operative sector’s significant contribution to the economy and the community
Assist in the formation and development of co-operatives based on active member participation, sustainability, and appropriate capital and legal structures
Make a positive contribution to the advancement of co-operative enterprises within Australia’s emerging 4th economic sector

OBJECTIVES & STRATEGIES

MEMBERSHIP

To encourage, promote and develop membership by -

proactively marketing co-operative structures to the broader community
providing value added member services

STATE CO-OPERATIVE LEADERSHIP

Provide strong and informed leadership through -

sound policy formulation and a professional approach to policy implementation
representation of WA interests at the national level

KNOWLEDGE

To develop, maintain and share a definitive co-operative knowledge base by -

collaborating with education institutions on professional development and applied research to promote co-operatives, and where possible co-fund, co-operative education initiatives
facilitating multi-discipline avenues of communication amongst stakeholders

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

Ensure the Federation’s activities are sustainable by -

an appropriate annual membership fee structure
maintaining a prudent capital base

GOVERNMENT RELATIONSHIP

Positively influence all levels of state and local government on co-operative matters by -

providing respected professional advice in a timely manner
being the State government’s preferred service provider to the WA co-operative sector

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Advance the standing of Australia’s emerging 4^th economic sector by -

aligning WA’s co-operatives with the 4^th sector
building co-operative brand recognition and value

NATIONAL RECOGNITION

Ensure government and community recognition of the role of co-operatives in the 4^th sector is enhanced through -

collaboration with sector participants Australia-wide
participation in the Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals, the national peak body for co-operatives

Note: [1] Co-operative are typically formed by people with a common need and a shared vision to carrying out activities that directly benefit members as well as delivering a strong economic multiplier effect on local, state and federal market based economies. Co-operatives are therefore likely to sit outside the tradition 3 sectors of a marketed based economy and be more aligned with enterprises moving towards a recognisable 4th sector.

April 2014