Home

Society for Co-operative Studies Annual Conference 2013 - 'Making the Case for a Co-operative Future'

by alexsobel | Sun, 01/09/2013 - 19:44

 

18-20 October 2013, Gilsland Spa Hotel, Cumbria

Early Bird Booking Deadline - 13th September

 

This year we are delighted to be using the Co-operative Movement's own hotel and conference centre at Gisland Spa as our venue for the first time.  Close to Hadrian's Wall, this is an ideal location for an autumn break, and delegates are welcome to book some extra days before or after the conference with the hotel if they wish.

The theme for the conference, "Making the Case for a Co-operative Future" reflects recent developments in some of the largest co-operative enterprises in the UK and the ICA's Blueprint for a Co-operative Decade.   It gives us an opportunity to explore together how we can make a convincing case for the future of 'Co-operation' through data, planning, strategy, education and by drawing inspiration from our history and from practical examples in the UK and further afield.

Contributors include:
- David Button (Key-Note Speaker)
- Chris Herries (Chair, Co-operatives UK)

- Tara Mulqueen (Birkbeck University of London)
- Stephen McCusker (Loop Systems / Manchester School of Architecture)
- Rosie Evered & Sean Farmelo (Students for Co-operation)
- Bob Yuill (Scottish Agircultural Organisation Society)

- Eric Calderwood (University of Stirling)
- John Boyle (The Co-operative Party)
- Neil Slater & Robert Edgar (Grosmont Co-operative Society)
- Chris Richardson & Robin Martakies (Co-operative Historians)
- Michelle Parkin-Kelly (Co-operatives UK)

Session topics include:
- Strategies for Success in Co-operative Enterprises
- Co-operative Data - What do we know?  What do we need to know?

- Co-operative Architecture - Values in Stone?

- What future for Co-operative Retail?

- Past and Present Perspectives on Co-operative Law
- Developing Student Co-operatives in the UK
- Small is Beautiful? - Learning from a one-shop Co-op
- Membership and Participation
- Co-operative Stories - Lessons from the past?

 

Dates and Times

The main conference begins at 2pm on Saturday 19th October with the key-note address and concludes at 12.30pm on Sunday 20th October before lunch.  The Society's AGM takes place on the Saturday morning at 11am, and the conference delegate package includes Saturday lunch.  If you wish to stay for Sunday lunch, please be sure to include this as an extra on your booking form.

 

Travel to Gilsland:
This year the East and West Midland Co-operatives' Member Education Groups are running a coach for people who wish to attend the conference with pick-ups in Birmingham and Derby.  The coach will depart on Friday morning, arriving at Gilsland at approximately 5pm.  It will depart at 2pm on Sunday and arrive back in the Midlands on Sunday evening.

 

If you would like to come on the coach, please make a booking directly with Jo Dyke at Heart of England Co-operative Society as soon as possible as places will be limited - email: jo.dyke@heartofengland-coop.co.uk

The nearest rail station is Haltwhistle between Carlisle and Newcastle, and the venue is just off the main A69 road.  Post code CA8 7AR.