Having celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2013, the Association coopérative des pêcheurs de l’île is an excellent example of self-help in a small fishing community. This paper analyzes one dimension of the success of this collective experience, its practices of inclusive relationship with stakeholders and of governance. Based on a qualitative research and the territorial development approach, a model of interpretation is proposed. This model links four concepts: leadership, social mobilization, empowerment and governance.