Cooperation and Competition — Simple Definitions and How a Consumer Cooperative Works (Age 16)

Simple, clear definitions and everyday examples of cooperation and competition for a 16-year-old, plus a step-by-step, easy-to-follow order of how a consumer cooperative operates in Vanuatu.

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1) Simple definitions with examples

Cooperation: Working together with other people to reach a shared goal.
Example (daily life): Working with classmates on a group project so you can finish it on time.

Competition: Trying to be better than others to win or get a reward.

Example (daily life): Competing with classmates for the top grade on a test or playing in a sports match to win.

Short answers you can write in the worksheet:

i. Cooperation: Working together with others to reach the same goal.
Example: Doing a school group project with classmates.

ii. Competition: Trying to beat others to win a prize, position or higher score.
Example: Trying to get the highest mark in an exam or playing in a football match to win.

2) What is a cooperative?

A cooperative (or co-op) is a business owned and run by its members. Members share ownership (usually by buying shares), make decisions together, and share profits or benefits. A consumer cooperative is where members buy and use the store and help run it.

3) How a consumer cooperative operates (easy step-by-step order)

Here are the 7 steps in the correct order, with a short explanation for each:

  1. People buy shares and become members. (People join the cooperative by buying a small share.)
  2. A committee is elected from among the members of the society. (Members choose people to govern the co-op.)
  3. The committee appoints a secretary or manager. (The committee hires someone to run daily operations.)
  4. A secretary or manager operates the store. (The manager runs the shop, orders goods, serves customers.)
  5. The store makes a profit. (If the store sells more than it spends, it makes money.)
  6. The annual general meeting is held. (Shareholders, the committee and the cooperative inspector meet to discuss the year and decide what to do with profits.)
  7. Some profits are put back into the store; the rest are shared equally among members. (Part of the profit is reinvested for repairs or stock, and the remainder is divided among members.)

You can copy these short answers into your worksheet. If you want, I can also make fill-in-the-blank lines ready for printing.

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