The Rochdale Pioneers formation Not the first co-operative
society Learning from earlier experience Learning from thinkers
like Robert Owen William King George Jacob Holyoake Developing a
workable model Developing the co-operative principles
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The Rochdale Pioneers formation
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First meeting 11 August 1844 Decision to collect money to
enable opening of shop 28 saved (1 shareholding)
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Insert section of film outside the shop
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The Rochdale Pioneers formation Difficulties in finding
premises Providing shop fittings Problems in getting supplies of
stock First night of trade
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11. The Rochdale Pioneers
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The Rochdale Pioneers - objectives THE objects and plans of
this Society are to form arrangements for the pecuniary benefit,
and the improvement of the social and domestic condition of its
members, by raising a sufficient amount of capital in shares of one
pound each, to bring into operation the following plans and
arrangements.
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The establishment of a store for the sale of provision and
clothing, &c. The building, purchasing or erecting a number of
houses, in which those members desiring to assist each other in
improving their domestic and social condition may reside. The
Rochdale Pioneers - objectives
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As a further benefit and security to the members of this
society, the society shall purchase or rent an estate or estates of
land, which shall be cultivated by the members who may be out of
employment, or whose labour may be badly remunerated.
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The Rochdale Pioneers - objectives That for the promotion of
sobriety a Temperance Hotel be opened in one of the society's
houses, as soon as convenient.
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The Rochdale Pioneers - objectives That as soon as practicable,
this society shall proceed to arrange the powers of production,
distribution, education, and government, or in other words to
establish a self-supporting home-colony of united interests, or
assist other societies in establishing such colonies.
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Rochdale Principles Open Membership Democratic Control
Distribution of Surplus in Proportion to Trade Payment of Limited
Interest on Capital Political and Religious Neutrality Cash Trading
Promotion of Education NB. The principle Concern for community was
added when these were reviewed by the ICA in the 1960s
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The Rochdale Pioneers education 1849 First Reading Room
Commitment to education Development of Library Development of
Education Department Courses Languages Arts Sciences Rochdale
Equitable Pioneers Society Library Catalogue 1868
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The Rochdale Pioneers development Expansion of trade Two
evenings a week for first three months Five evenings a week New
trades and departments Drapery Butchery Tea Wholesaling
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The Rochdale Pioneers development TradeMembershipSurplus
(Profit) 18457107422 1848 2,276140 118 1849 (after collapse of
Rochdale Savings Bank) 6,612390 561
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The Rochdale Pioneers development Branch store developments
from 1856 1857 George Jacob Holyoakes History of the Rochdale
Pioneers 1861 Rochdale Land and Pioneer Company 1862 Impact of
Cotton Famine Opening of new central premises 1867 By 1880
membership over 10,000
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Influence of the Pioneers Formation of other co-operative
societies 1881547,000 members in 971 societies 19001.7 million
members in 1,439 societies Formation of secondary or federal
co-operatives
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Co-operative Wholesale Society Initial meeting 25 December 1860
Formed 1863 as North of England Co-operative Wholesale Society
Rochdale Pioneers as members of first committee William Cooper
James Smithies Abraham Greenwood Rented offices in Manchester with
two men and a boy
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Co-operative Wholesale Society 1868 first premises built 1868
first depot Ireland 1872 began banking (now The Co-operative Bank)
1873 manufacturing of biscuits and shoes 1878 purchase of first
ship 1903 purchase of first tea plantations