Cooperatives Yorkshire and Humber

Fast Forward and AGM

Wednesday 26 November, Round Foundry, Leeds

A major date for your diary! This is the annual opportunity to network with all kinds of co-operative from across the region and beyond. Key note speakers will include Dave Thornett, Social Enterprise Yorkshire and John Goodman, Co-operatives UK. Workshops will include funding for co-ops, tools for co-operative development, worker co-op code of governance, Italian co-ops, international co-ops in conflict areas, key issues for credit unions and more. Stalls will also be available. A brief Annual General Meeting of Co-operatives Yorkshire & the Humber will be held at the end of Fast Forward to elect a Steering Group. Please find attached more information and a booking form. www.cooperatives-uk.coop/live/dynamic/News2ShowArticle.asp?article_id=59CE861B-2F1E-4D77-BE52-85FF9DD7E2D7. 

Footsey 100 Success

Well received stall at Footsey, York

Co-operatives Yorkshire and the Humber promoted co-operatives in October at Footsey 100: the social economy trade fair. Co-operators from the Co-operative Group staffed a busy co-op stall. Over 30 people signed up for more information on co-operatives in the Region. 

Suma to supply Greenpeace's Rainbow Warrior

Halifax co-operative wins major contract

Suma, the UK's largest independent wholefood wholesaler and distributor, has won the contract to re-supply The Rainbow Warrior, Greenpeace's famous floating environmental flagship. Paul Collins of Suma said, "We are absolutely delighted to have been chosen to supply a considerable range of our ethically sourced products to Rainbow Warrior to re-stock her prior to another voyage. As well as offering a vast range of excellent products, Suma believes in conducting its business affairs in an environmentally sound and ethical way. From the way we heat and light our premises, to the structure of our workforce and the wages paid to our aduki bean growers in Brazil, ethical trading is a recurring theme in every aspect of the Suma brand. I'm sure this will have struck a cord with the Greenpeace team as there is clearly a great deal of synergy in the way we both operate." Suma is a worker co-operative based in a purpose built factory in Halifax. Formed in 1975 it has grown to nearly 150 employees who all receive equal pay and democratically own and control the business together. www.suma.coop 

Organic delivery co-op launches online service

Arthur Street Trading Company responds to increased demand

Increased demand has pushed Hull based worker co-operative, Arthur St Trading Company, into launching an on-line payment and ordering service for their popular organic vegetable box delivery scheme. The co-operative, has been operating in Hull for over nine years, delivering organic fresh produce and groceries to homes within a fifteen mile radius of the city, the majority of which are delivered by a converted milk float that is recharged by solar power. Director Graham Brooks said "We have seen an increased demand for our products recently. Feedback from our customers shows that in addition to paying online via debit and credit card, people also want an increased variety of organic produce to choose from. We have now introduced individual fruit and vegetable lines in addition to the mixed boxes, giving flexibility to customers." Arthur Street Trading Company gets its name from its premises - it is based in 23 Arthur Street, Hull which it shares with a number of co-operatives including Humberside Co-operative Development Agency and Giroscope. www.arthursorganics.com 

Free Co-op Advice and Training

Support for emerging and developing cooperatives

Co-operatives can benefit from a programme run by the Co-operative Group, providing support to other co-operatives in the Yorkshire & Humber region and beyond. The Advice and Training (C-Change) programme enables new and existing co-operatives to receive expert support to develop as successful co-operative businesses. Several co-ops in the region are already benefiting, including Growing With Grace in Settle and The Health Food Store in Leeds. The programme is managed by based Co-operative and Mutual Solutions, a leading British consultancy co-operative, and involves several other experienced co-operative consultancies including Co-operative Business Consultants. Co-ops can apply to receive up to five days of support which could include business planning, feasibility studies or legal and governance advice. www.co-operative.coop/ourcampaigns/modernco-operation/c-change/

Social Enterprise Funding

Key Fund Yorkshire

Funds are available to support the development and growth of social enterprises across the whole of Yorkshire and the Humber. If you are an existing social enterprise, they have a flexible grant and loan fund to help you to write your own future. Up to £10,000 for the early stage development of social enterprises; £10,000 to £30,000 for the on-going development and growth of social enterprises; up to £100,000 for social enterprises with an established track record. www.keyfundyorks.org.uk/neighbourhood_stories Tel 0845 140 1400. 

Co-operative Group Membership

A series of open events for all co-operators, organised by Co-operative Group Membership.  For more information contact Hazel.Remeika[at]co-operative.coop or on 0161 827 6451.

• Co-operative Art Exhibition. Monday 10 to Saturday 22 November, Huddersfield. Official Opening event Monday 10 November from 7pm at Huddersfield Parish Church, St Peter.
• International Co-operative Development Seminars. These evening seminars are open to everyone with an interest in co-operative development overseas. Monday 24 November, Sheffield Hallam University; Tuesday 25 November, Holiday Inn, Hull Marina; and Thursday 27 November, Barnsley Library.
• Fairtrade Tasting. Tuesday 2 December, Thorne Old People's Centre. The Co-operative Group membership invite co-operators to free fair trade tasting event.
• Charity Christmas Concerts. Saturday 6 December, Hull; Thursday 11 December, Barnsley and Saturday 13 December, Doncaster. 

Co-operative Group Nominations Open

All out membership elections in the Co-operative Group, the world's largest consumer co-op

As a result of the merger between United Co-operatives and the Co-operative Group, all out membership elections are being held across the UK. Nominations are now open for candidates for the most local democratic tier, and new Area Committee members are welcome from all walks of life. More details, podcasts and full information pack is available at www.co-operative.coop/yourmembership/becomeanactivemember/

Urban Forum

8 and 9 December, Manchester

Urban Forum is a network of organisations interested in urban and regional policy, especially regeneration. Co-operatives Yorkshire & the Humber, together with Co-operatives UK and Co-operatives North West, will be having a presence at Urban Forum's annual conference on 8th and 9th December in Manchester. www.urbanforum.org.uk. If you would like more information and/or to be part of this presence, please contact Jo 0797 007 5704 or jo[at]cbc.coop. 

Events.coop

New coop events site launched

Co-operatives UK have launched an on line events diary for the co-operative movement. The diary can be accessed at www.events.coop. It has set itself simple objectives for the diary - that it should become the web site that people in co-operatives and credit unions go to find out what's on, check that an event that they are organising does not clash with another event and post information about their events. Over 150 events provided for and by co-operatives and credit unions have already been posted on the site. They range from annual general meetings and conferences to training courses and trade fairs. Co-operatives and credit unions can also post basic information about private events such as board and committee meetings.