This Terms and Conditions Agreement is made between the prospective member and SEDPI Savings and Credit Cooperative, a cooperative duly registered with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) of the Philippines. Established under the Philippine Cooperative Code of 2008, SEDPI Cooperative operates as a savings and credit cooperative with Registration Number 9520-101300032122, officially registered on July 21, 2021, in Quezon City, Philippines. By signing this agreement, the prospective member acknowledges understanding and acceptance of the cooperative's by-laws, policies, and guidelines, which are designed to foster financial literacy, community development, and cooperative principles.

1.        Membership

As stated in Article II, Section 2 of the SEDPI Savings and Credit Cooperative By-laws, the cooperative's common bond of membership stems from its affiliation with SEDPI Foundation, Inc. (SFI). This foundational relationship is a key requirement for membership, as specified in the cooperative's registration with the Cooperative Development Authority.

2.        Pre-Membership Education Seminar (PMES)

Prospective members must first become members of SFI before attending the Pre-Membership Education Seminar (PMES) of SEDPI Cooperative various ways to attend. Joining SFI is free of charge and requires only the commitment to being an advocate for financial literacy and socially responsible investments.

As part of the membership process, the applicant voluntarily provides personal information through the SEDPI KaSosyo Online (KSO) platform. This includes full name, sex, email address, cellphone number, password, security question, and its corresponding answer. The submission and processing of this information are conducted in strict compliance with the Data Privacy Act of the Philippines and the Anti-Money Laundering Act. By proceeding, the applicant acknowledges and consents to the use of their information for purposes aligned with the cooperative's policies and regulatory requirements.

3.        Membership qualification

Applicants for membership in the SEDPI Savings and Credit Cooperative (SEDPI Coop) must meet specific qualifications and comply with established requirements. Membership is open to natural persons who are Filipino citizens, of legal age, and capable of entering into contracts, as stated in Article II, Section 2 of the cooperative by-laws. Applicants must also fall within the common bond and field of membership as defined by the cooperative, which includes regular and associate members.

Regular members are defined in Article II, Section 2 (1) as employees of Social Enterprise Development Partnerships, Inc. (SEDPI) or SEDPI Development Finance, Inc.. Associate members are individuals who are members of SEDPI Foundation, Inc., as outlined in Article II, Section 2 (2). Regardless of membership type, applicants must have completed the required Pre-Membership Education Seminar (PMES) focusing on financial literacy, as mandated in Article II, Section 2 (1a) and (2a). They must also undertake to uphold the cooperative's by-laws, policies, guidelines, and regulations, as stated in Article II, Section 2 (1b) and (2b).

To formalize membership, applicants must meet the requirements outlined in Article II, Section 3, which include: submitting an approved application for membership, obtaining a PMES certificate of completion and subscribing to the required minimum share capital and paying the membership fee.

4.        Membership fee and share capital subscription agreement

After obtaining the Pre-Membership Education Seminar (PMES) certificate, the next step is to pay the initial share capital and the membership fee to become an associate member of SEDPI Cooperative. The minimum share capital requirement is PhP1,000, and the membership fee is PhP100. Detailed payment instructions will be provided in the next section of the online PMES.

Regarding share capital, Article II, Section 6 specifies that regular members must subscribe to 20 shares (equivalent to PHP 20,000) and pay for at least five shares (PHP 5,000) upon membership approval. Associate members must subscribe to 4 shares (PHP 4,000) and pay for at least one share (PHP 1,000) upon approval. Additionally, no member shall hold more than 10% of the total subscribed share capital of the cooperative, as stipulated in the same section. Agrees to pay remaining subscribed capital within 2 years. It is understood that the share capital shall not be withdrawn during my membership.

5.        Cooperative Principles

By applying for membership, the applicant acknowledges, understands, and commits to upholding the cooperative principles described below. A cooperative is an autonomous and legally registered association of individuals united by a common bond of interest who voluntarily come together to achieve shared social, economic, and cultural objectives. Members of a cooperative equally share the risks and benefits of their collective endeavors, fostering inclusivity and shared responsibility. Guided by fundamental principles, cooperatives operate with a strong sense of fairness and democratic participation. Membership is voluntary and open to all who accept the responsibilities of membership without discrimination. Each member has equal voting rights, ensuring fair participation in decision-making. Members contribute equitably to the cooperative’s capital and maintain democratic control over its use. Education and training are integral to cooperatives, providing members, elected representatives, and employees with the knowledge and skills needed for effective participation. 

Cooperatives also maintain their autonomy and independence, even when entering agreements or partnerships. They collaborate with other cooperatives to strengthen the movement and improve services for their members. Furthermore, cooperatives are deeply committed to their communities, promoting sustainable development through policies approved by their members.

In the Philippines, cooperatives are regulated by the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), an agency that ensures that cooperatives comply with laws and regulations while supporting their growth and sustainability. Cooperatives, such as SEDPI Savings and Credit Cooperative, strive to empower their members through education, encourage innovative business and management ideas, increase economic ownership among the underprivileged, and collaborate with government initiatives to foster societal progress.

6. SEDPI Cooperative vision, mission and values

SEDPI Savings and Credit Cooperative (SEDPI Coop) operates as a credit cooperative based in Quezon City. Its area of operation is national in scope, and its common bond of membership is institutional, centered on individuals connected to SEDPI Foundation, Inc.

Driven by its vision of empowered Filipinos worldwide supporting sustainable nanoenterprises, SEDPI Coop fulfills its mission to be a leader in mobilizing social investments and nanoenterprise development. The cooperative leverages its resources and expertise to promote financial literacy, sustainable livelihoods, and inclusive growth for its members and partner communities.

The organization's ethos is deeply rooted in a set of core values that guide its mission. At its heart is the Social and Solidarity Economy, emphasizing an economy that advances the collective good by promoting equitable and sustainable economic development. Diversity and Inclusion are foundational to SEDPI Coop’s operations, ensuring that varying voices, experiences, and perspectives are embraced to build a fairer society. The cooperative also values Rewarding Performance for Social Good, recognizing and incentivizing efforts that contribute positively to societal welfare rather than focusing solely on profit or growth. Finally, Honesty and Transparency serve as essential ethical standards, ensuring integrity in all dealings within and outside the cooperative.

Through these values, SEDPI Coop continues to create meaningful impact and inspire trust among its members, partners, and the broader community it serves.

7. Products and services

SEDPI KaSosyo, through the SEDPI Cooperative, offers a comprehensive range of products and services designed to empower its members as social investors while also providing access to essential government services. These offerings bridge the gap between personal financial growth and societal impact, embodying the cooperative's mission of aligning financial success with social responsibility.

The cooperative's flagship product is the Joint Venture Savings products, also known as Socially Responsible Investments. These savings options allow members to contribute to projects with high social value, enabling them to achieve personal financial goals while supporting initiatives that create sustainable and meaningful change. Members participating in these products become active contributors to the cooperative’s broader mission of generating positive societal impact.

In addition, the cooperative provides payment services for PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, and SSS. By acting as a centralized channel, SEDPI Coop simplifies the process for members to meet their obligations to these government services, ensuring timely contributions and easing the administrative burden for members. These services not only enhance convenience but also foster a culture of financial responsibility among the membership.

SEDPI's cooperative products and services are integral to the organization's broader Group of Social Enterprises (GSE) programs, which work in tandem to alleviate poverty and promote financial stability among Filipinos.

SEDPI’s programs are designed to integrate social responsibility, ethical financing, and education to create lasting change in communities. Through SEDPI KaSosyo, the organization focuses on providing opportunities for socially responsible investments, allowing members to channel their financial resources toward initiatives that promote community development and social progress. Complementing this is SEDPI KaNegosyo, which offers accessible, ethical, and sustainable financing options to support nanoenterprises, fostering business growth and empowering low-income groups economically. Finally, Usapang Pera serves as a flagship initiative that delivers financial literacy education to Filipinos worldwide, equipping them with the knowledge to make informed decisions about saving, investing, and managing resources effectively. 

The cooperative's offerings contribute directly to these programs by providing innovative financial services and tools that support members’ livelihoods, particularly those of nanoenterprises. Together, these initiatives establish a holistic ecosystem where financial inclusion, education, and sustainable development intersect to create long-term opportunities for marginalized communities.

8. SEDPI investment principles

The investment principles guiding SEDPI KaSosyo are rooted in sustainability, financial stability, and rational decision-making:

8.1.  Sustainability is integral in financial decisions, not optional

Positive social impact and environmental protection should be embedded in the investment process from the outset, not considered as secondary or optional factors. This ensures that investing contributes to broader sustainability goals. 

These objectives and principles are integral to the operations of SEDPI KaSosyo, ensuring that the program not only supports financial growth but also contributes to sustainable development and the well-being of communities. By adhering to these guidelines, SEDPI KaSosyo endeavors to mobilize resources effectively, support nanoenterprises and development organizations, and foster a culture of social investment that places a higher value on people and the planet.

8.2.  Multifaceted Approach to Financial Stability

Financial stability is a multifaceted endeavor that extends beyond individual actions. Governmental agencies are instrumental in fostering a conducive climate that paves the way for personal financial success. This includes the creation of job opportunities, the establishment of favorable business and investment climates, the development of infrastructure, and the provision of essential services and social safety nets  such as education, universal healthcare, and disaster mitigation. It is a collective journey, one that involves the support and collaboration of family, friends, and the wider community. The pursuit of wealth is a learned skill, and it becomes significantly more effective when it's a shared effort.

8.3.  Rational Investment Decision-Making

Investment decisions should not be driven by emotional risk appetites, such as overconfidence for the aggressive or fear for the conservative. Instead, choices should be based on identifying the best possible investment product that meets the investor's goals, with a prioritized consideration of security, liquidity, and returns. This principle aims to elevate the investment process beyond subjective feelings, focusing on objective criteria to achieve desired outcomes.