Cooperatives Yorkshire and Humber

Co-operatives Yorkshire and the Humber General Meeting - Last Chance to Book

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

What is a co-operative council?

Co-operatives UK have published a draft set of criteria to encourage the Council pioneers and focus on action. 

There's good work out there in local authorities, but there does now need to be a dialogue with the wider co-operative sector, because it is the Co-operative identity being used. Fairtrade Towns have a practical set of commitments and co-operative councils should be no different. 

Read Ed Mayo's blog at http://s.coop/riteria and do share the link with people you think might be interested

Co-operatives Yorkshire and the Humber would welcome any ideas from members for a response to Ed Mayo's blog from a regional perspective, if you have any thoughts please email them to alex@cooperatives-yh.coop or raise it at the General Meeting on the 12th March

Introducing FairShares

Imagine an enterprise where the knowledge creation model of Wikipedia is combined with the governance model of the John Lewis Partnership and the values and principles of the Co‑operative Group?  This is the FairShares Model.  It is an approach that contributes to a society in which every adult can become a member-owner of the organisation(s) for which they work, from which they regularly buy goods, and from which they receive social services.  In short, it envisages a society in which every adult becomes a co-owner of the organisations on which they, their family and their community depend.
  
FairShares is a new brand and model for self-governing social enterprises operating under either Company or Co‑operative Law.  It offers a unique approach to enterprise ownership, governance and management through its recognition and integration of founders, producers, employees, customers, service users and investors.

For more info go to the Fairshares Website

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-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