Cooperatives Yorkshire and Humber

Fast Forward & Co-operatives YH AGM

Thursday 26 November, 12.30pm-4pm, Aizlewood Mill, Nursery Street, Sheffield S3 8GG

Fast Forward is the must-attend event of the regional co-operative calendar. The conference style event features up to the minute key note speakers, interactive workshops, plenty of networking, lunch and Question Time panel. Panellists include: Bob Cannell, SUMA; Angela Davies, the Co-operative Enterprise Hub; Dorothy Francis, Case-da; Cath Muller, Cornerstone; Alex Sobel, SEYH. Co-operatives Yorkshire and the Humber Annual General Meeting will be held at 3.30pm for more information contact Jo Bird on jo(at)cooperatives-yh.coop or 07970075704. 

Third Sector Involvement in Regional and Sub-regional Policymaking

Free ACEVO Conference on 14 October, York

IPPR north's recent report All Inclusive? Third Sector Involvement in Regional and Sub-regional Policy making laid bare many challenges and obstacles to effective third sector engagement with sub-national governance arrangements and the public sector at a regional and sub-regional level. This event will be an opportunity to develop a set of principles and actions on which third sector leaders can confidently move forward on this agenda.

Key recommendations in the report suggest that the sector needs to develop a more coherent voice and become more "transparent, simple and collaborative" if it is to influence strategic policy making at regional and sub-regional level. The report outlines steps for third and public sector leaders both separately and collectively, including developing key skills and building awareness and understanding. https://www.acevo.org.uk/index.cfm/display_page/ProfDev_Events/control_contenttype/event_list/display_open/events_1588

Supporters

Supporters Direct Annual Conference

Friday 16 October NEC Birmingham

Around 200 delegates are expected from all over the country with representatives from all of the Trusts across the UK , as well as representatives from clubs, the media, government, and other key opinion formers. This year’s speaker line up includes: Alex Phillips, Head of Professional Football Services, UEFA Gerry Sutcliffe MP, Minister for Sport Lander Unzueta, Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer, FC Barcelona Ian Watmore, Chief Executive, The Football Association. www.supporters-direct.org

Climate Action Now!

Saturday 17 October, 10am-4pm, New Century Hall, Corporation St , Manchester M60 4ES

A major conference by Co-operatives North West, in partnership with Oxfam, the Co-operative Group, the Co-operative Party and others.The final countdown to the UN climate change talks is underway. The event includes Film • Music • Speakers • Food • Drink • Co-operative marketplace • Climate ‘Question Time’ • Copenhagen workshops. To book your place visit http://climateactionnow.eventbrite.com or call 0161 234 2786 or email nsansom@oxfam.org.uk.

Trading for Mutual Benefit: Networking Event

Tuesday 20 October, 12.30 - 4pm, Holyoake House, Hanover Street , Manchester M60 0AS

Co-operatives North West is holding an inter-trading and networking event for any individual or organisation with an interest in co-operative and mutual enterprise. Key note speakers Gareth Nash and Petra Morris, will address three co-operative growth areas - renewable energy, health care and community shares. Experienced networker, Sion Whellens will enable contributions from all participants, and promote Principle Six - Co-operation between Co-operatives. So far this year, over 130 people have attended a range of Co-operatives North West events – leading to increased awareness of relevant opportunities, enhanced trading relationships and collaborations for mutual benefit. Fees for this event, including lunch, are: £15 for members of CNW, £25 for non-members. For more details and to book, complete the booking form at www.events.uk.coop/node/672

News from Social Enterprise Yorkshire and the Humber (SEYH)

SEYH have launched their own e-newsletter. To subscribe, contact ian.adderley@seyh.org.uk.

SEYH Membership is now open. Following a change to our structure (now a company limited by guarantee) we can open up membership to all social enterprises in the region. Being a member allows you to attend and vote at our AGM and stand for the Board of Directors. What's more, it's free! Tel: 0845 257 8027. www.seyh.org.uk 

Social Enterprise Yorkshire and Humber Networking Events include: 10am September 29th in Scarborough Social Enterprise Learning Visit.

10am October 12th at the Goodwin Development Trust in Hull. The visits provide a great opportunity to visit another social enterprise; network and make new contacts; and to share ideas.

Footsey:Trade, Learn, Network

Thursday 22 October, Doncaster racecourse

Visit Co-operatives Yorkshire & the Humber stand at Footsey, the 8th annual regional social enterprise trade fair, and largest social enterprise trade fair in the UK. www.footsey.org.uk

Shared Interest: Finance for Fair Trade

Introduction seminar, lunch til 3pm, 24 October, York

Shared Interest finances Fair Trade around the world, through providing credit to Fair Trade producers and importers. Shared Interest is a co-operative that has raised £25m in share capital from its 8,700 members in the UK. This seminar is an introduction to Shared Interest’s work and includes a presentation from a prominent gust speaker from the Fair Trade movement and discussion about Fair Trade Fortnight activities. The event promises to be “enjoyable, informative and an inspirational call to action”. For more details, contact ashleigh.wilson@shared-interest.com 0191 233 9135. www.shared-interest.com

Making Local Food Work

Governance and Legal Structures training; 10am-4 pm October 28th in Sheffield

Throughout this year the Co-operatives UK team are offering regional one day training days on Governance and Legal Structures to improve the knowledge of good governance and its critical role in the sustainability of organisations. The training includes typical legal and organisational structures for community based local food initiatives; good governance; and interactive select-a-structure workshop. Contact 0161 246 2953 or mlfw[at]cooperatives-uk.coop. www.cooperatives-uk.coop/Home/miniwebs/miniwebsA-z/makingLocalFoodWork/trainingEvents

Watch your Waste!

4 November in Sheffield, 5 November in Hull, 10 November in Huddersfield, 11 November in Harrogate

Make the most of your food. The Co-operative believes there are a few quick and easy things we can all do to reduce the amount of food we throw away. Join the Co-operative and their community chefs at one of their Watch your Waste events to fund out what you can do. rebekah.watson@co-operative.coop 0191 411 2347.

Transition North

Friday 6 November, 10.30am - 5pm, Slaithwaite Civic Hall

A free conference bringing together the co-operative and transition movements to explore synergies and challenges for the future. Followed by optional evening entertainment, food and real ale 7pm - 10pm. Keynote speakers: Rob Hopkins - Founder of Transition network; Peter Couchman - CEO Plunket Foundation; Christine Tacon - CEO Co-operative Farms. Conference organised by the Co-operative, working in partnership with Co-operatives Yorkshire & the Humber and others.The essence of the transition movement is to develop a bottom-up, participatory process in order to build resilient communities in response to climate and peak oil. This chimes in closely with the co-operative approach of communities working together to meet their needs and aspirations. The two movements have much in common, with transition thinking offering some very real challenges and opportunities to the Co-operative. This event considers both, and aims to chart a positive path for the future. Workshops and open spaces include: • Change makers • Governance and legal structures for food enterprises • Community supported agriculture • Community buy out of food shops: the ins and outs • Permaculture: here and now • Transition in the Colne Valley • Introduction to Transition for co-operators • Bread matters: case study from the Handmade Bakery • Co-operatives Yorkshire & the Humber: An introduction to co-operatives for Transitioners • Food Futures: Making Local Food Work • A co-operative response to the climate threat. To book, contact nicola.wylde@co-operative.coop or phone 0191 411 2346. www.transitionnorth.net

Accountants Forum

Thursday 19 November, Windmill Village Hotel, Coventry CV5 9AL

Now in its third year, the Accountants Forum provides a much needed opportunity for discussion of the important and demanding challenges faced by accounting professionals within the co-operative movement. The forum is aimed at all senior and middle ranking accountants to address issues that uniquely face co-operatives and their finance functions. In addition, the forum provides ideal networking opportunities throughout the day. The event is also suitable for accountants dealing with co-operative businesses or those looking to learn more about accounting for co-operative enterprises. www.events.coop

Community Builders Fund

Community builders is a new £70m investment fund which takes forward a government commitment to build more cohesive, empowered and active communities. Community builders invests in the sustainability of multi-purpose, inclusive, community-led organisations (sometimes known as Community Anchors). These organisations can be the platform to support empowered communities by:• providing a place for community activities to take place• providing and running local services• stimulating community involvement and enterprise• generating independent sources of income .There are three elements to the Community builders programme: Feasibility which provides grants and business support; Development which provides grants, one-to-one mentoring and business support; and Investment which provides loans and grants and business support.www.communitybuildersfund.org.uk

There are a series of regional one day seminars to provide more in-depth information about the Community builders Fund, including one to one surgeries with Community builders staff. Leeds, 7 October, Tiger11, Hillside , LS11 8ND . www.regonline.co.uk/communitybuilders_seminars. April Tapping 020 7842 7721 or email events@futurebuilders-england.org.uk.

New food co-ops: The People's Supermarket

The People's Supermarket is being set up by innovative chef Arthur Potts Dawson. This is a supermarket that is run by the people, for the people, selling the best food at the lowest possible prices. The People's Supermarket is designed to offer an alternative use for the thousands of empty retail units on our high streets and counter the belief that you can only have either cheap or good food - and never both. The supermarket is inspired by the Park Slope Food Coop in Brooklyn that was started in 1973 and now has 17,000 members, offers them a saving of 20%-40% off their weekly grocery bill and enjoys a turnover of $32m. www.peoplessupermarket.org

Funding: Empty shops

The Government has made £3m available to help areas hit hardest by the recession find creative ways to reduce the negative impact empty shops are having on the high street. Many high streets in areas of high deprivation are seeing empty shops boarded up because of the downturn, which is impacting on consumer and business confidence. The Government is determined to help ensure town centres remain vibrant places for people to meet and shop. Funding has been awarded to the 57 most deprived local authority areas to find creative ways to use their empty shops and re-open them as facilities for communities. Each council will receive a grant of more than £50,000 to use as they see fit on ideas to boost town centres and transform empty shops into something useful such as a meeting place, a learning centre or a even a showroom for local artists. If you are interested in opening a community-run shop you may be able to access some of this funding. www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/1311364

Co-operative Group news

The Co-operative's campaigns this year include: Plan Bee, focusing on decline of the honeybee; Free the VJs, human right abuses in Burma; Marine Reserves Now, marine conservation; Toxic Fuels, tar sands development. To join your local co-operative - www.co-operative.coop/takeaction

Did you know? There are nearly 800 million co-operative members worldwide and the United Nations estimates that the livelihood of nearly three billion
people, or half the world's population, is supported through co-operative enterprise and provides over 100 million jobs around the world, 20% more than multinational enterprise. How far has the co-operative movement travelled since the Rochdale Pioneers of 1844!