Overview

Today’s members, communities, and stakeholders expect more than just financial performance—they expect cooperatives to lead by example in creating positive environmental and social outcomes. By integrating clear, measurable impact metrics into operations, cooperatives can reinforce their values, attract new members, strengthen brand trust, and amplify their contributions to a sustainable, equitable world.

This best practice guides cooperatives in defining, tracking, and communicating their environmental and social impact as part of everyday operations, not just in annual reports.

Core Tactics:

• Define Key Impact Categories Relevant to Your Mission.
  Common cooperative-relevant categories include:
  • Environmental Sustainability (energy use, carbon footprint, waste reduction)
  • Social Equity (diversity, equity, inclusion initiatives)
  • Community Investment (local purchasing, donations, volunteer hours)
  • Member Empowerment (member education, participation opportunities)
• Choose a Small Set of Measurable Metrics to Start.
  Focus on 5–7 key metrics you can track consistently.

Sample Starter Metrics (Including Member Benefit Statement Metrics):

• Integrate Impact Tracking into Operational Systems.
  Wherever possible:
  • Add sustainability and social fields into vendor management systems
  • Include DEI and community impact goals in strategic planning
  • Assign impact tracking responsibilities across departments
• Communicate Impact Progress Transparently.
  Share your results regularly—good, bad, and improving.
  Effective ways to communicate impact include:
  • Quarterly member newsletters
  • Annual Impact Reports (simple and member-friendly)
  • Infographics for social media
  • Storytelling through member testimonials tied to impact themes
• Leverage the P6 Member Benefit Statement for Impact Communication.
  The Principle 6 Member Benefit Statement offers a powerful, customizable platform for communicating your cooperative’s value to both members and the broader public.
  Key Benefits of Using the P6 Member Benefit Statement:
  • Consolidates financial, social, environmental, and engagement metrics into one accessible report.
  • Allows side-by-side comparisons with regional, sectoral, and national benchmarks.
  • Provides a polished, ready-to-share digital page that highlights your cooperative’s impact story.
  • Strengthens member pride and public trust through professional, transparent reporting.
• Regularly updating and sharing your P6 Member Benefit Statement helps members see the tangible benefits of their cooperative ownership, reinforcing loyalty and deepening engagement.

Curious about how the P6 Member Benefit Statement comes together and how to use it to maximize your impact communications? Our Deep Dive video walks you through the full structure, metric definitions, and real-world examples of how cooperatives can leverage the Member Benefit Statement to demonstrate value, build loyalty, and tell a stronger story to members and the public.

Watch the Member Benefit Statement Deep Dive Video

Download Full Member Benefit Statement Metrics Table (Google Sheet)

• Use Impact Metrics to Guide Strategic Decision-Making.
  Don’t just track metrics—use them to inform board decisions, new initiatives, vendor selection, hiring practices, and member programs.
  Tie impact metrics directly to strategic priorities.
• Continuously Improve and Expand Over Time.
  Start simple, then expand as systems mature:
  • Introduce 1–2 new metrics each year
  • Set achievable improvement targets
  • Celebrate wins and acknowledge learning curves

By embedding environmental and social impact metrics into daily operations and communications, cooperatives lead by example—proving that values-based business models can be measurable, accountable, and transformative.

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