> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://work.equalcare.coop/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://work.equalcare.coop/the-bylaws/members/what-the-co-op-does-for-you/dividend.md).

# dividend

### What the Rules say

> Any profits of the Co-operative shall be applied as follows in such proportions and in such manner as may be decided by the Co-operative at the annual general meeting: 
>
> (a) To a general reserve for the continuation and development of the Co-operative; 
>
> (b) To paying dividends to Members, either equally or in accordance with some other equitable formula which recognises the relative contribution made by each Member to the business of the Co-operative; 
>
> (c) To making payment for social, co-operative or community purposes within the community served by the Co-operative.

{% hint style="info" %}
“Surplus” is what's left of annual income after expenses and other financial commitments (like loan repayments) have been met.  
{% endhint %}

Being a Member may entitle you to a share of future distribution of surplus revenue, if and when the Board and Members decide together that surplus will be distributed.  These decisions happen at the Equal Care Co-op's Annual General Meeting (AGM). 

Members decide what proportion of the surplus is reinvested into the co-op, what proportion is directed to socially beneficial projects and what proportion is distributed to co-op members, which may vary between membership categories.  

Being a member makes you eligible to receive the distribution, but does not mean any distribution will necessarily be made.


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://work.equalcare.coop/the-bylaws/members/what-the-co-op-does-for-you/dividend.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.