Cooperatives Yorkshire and Humber

Co-operatives Yorkshire and the Humber General Meeting

Co-operatives Yorkshire and the Humber will be holding a General Meeting for all members and supporters on the 12th March between 12 and 2 at Co-operatives Yorkshire and the Humbers Offices at Ebor Court, Skinner St, Leeds, LS1 4ND.

The meeting will discuss the changing environment for Co-operative Support in the region and Co-operative Yorkshire and the Humber's work on Co-operative Councils to help guide our work.

A provisional agenda is:

Summarise CYH current strategic position (CYH Board)
CYH Board Q+A - for clarity, shared understanding and mutual ownership
Break into discussion groups
Feedback discussions
Agree shared goals, direction of travel and secure a robust mandate for the Board?

You can just turn up but it would help if you could book here 

Simply Start-up Leeds

Co-operatives UK in partnership with the Plunkett Foundation are offering the following Making Local Food Work free workshops to any community food enterprise or anyone supporting them. The workshops would be particularly suitable for groups in the pre-start stage.

The workshop aims are:
1. To offer an easy to understand and inspiring overview of the start-up process for those unfamiliar with starting a co-operative or community enterprise.
2. To signpost to other helpful resources such as guides and websites.
3. To signpost to people and organisations who can help.
4. To inspire the creation of new co-operative and community enterprises by showing a wide variety of what is possible.

THe event is on the 3rd April 2013  ful details here and to book go to http://leeds-mlfw.eventbrite.co.uk/

Co-op Business Needs Survey

Co-operatives UK are reviewing what support co-ops need and want in their area. This includes a survey of as many co-ops as possible, including those in all parts of the UK and of all types: it doesn’t matter if you are big, small, old, new, have had support, don’t want support or are looking for support. The survey is open just for January and takes 10mins (you might find completing it informative):https://coopbusinessneedssurvey.questionpro.com

Choose co-operative for Co-operatives Fortnight 2013

Co-operatives UK has unveiled the theme for this year’s Co-operatives Fortnight, which runs from 22 June to 6 July 2013. Focusing on how co-operatives are local, loved and trusted, this year the campaign asks customers and members to ‘choose co-operative’.

In 2013, Co-operatives Fortnight will focus on raising consumers’ awareness and understanding of the diversity and benefits of co-operatives.

Co-operative businesses and organisations will be armed with online and printed resources, for use in store or for members to take out, to encourage people to explore local co-operatives and find new co-operative shops and services.

The full set of materials will be launched later in February, at the time of Co-operatives UK’s National Retail Consumer Conference.

The Co-operatives Fortnight 2013 campaign will include:

A toolkit to help retailers promote co-operative products and services in-store and online
A website and toolkit to enable members to help their networks find and choose co-operatives
A social media and PR campaign focused on how co-operatives are local, loved and trusted
Template local PR and event initiatives for co-operatives up and down the country to use

Visit www.uk.coop to keep up to date with the latest on the campaign developments.

Co-operatives Yorkshire and the Humber Enhanced Benefits Package

Join our enhanced scheme for a number of new benefits including a free place at Futures North 2011. The package is being delivered jointly with Social Enterprise Yorkshire and the Humber and includes benefits such as membership of a business club for social enterprises and co-operatives and inclusion on a marketplace e-directory.

The package starts at just £25 for small co-operatives and full details can be downloaded here.

The Phone Co-op Affinity Scheme

CYH have an affinity scheme with The Phone Co-op. Any individual or organisation can join so If you're considering joining the The Phone Co-op there are several benefits you can receive by quoting our affinity number AF0461- details are available here.

If you are not a member but wish to be membership of Co-operatives Yorkshire and the Humber is free and open to all organisations who support co-operative values and principles. A membership form can be obtained by downloading a form from here