Cooperatives Yorkshire and Humber

International Year of the Co-operatives Launch - 'How can Local Authorities act more co-operatively'

Co-operatives Yorkshire and the Humber and Cllr Kevin Rodgers (Doncaster, Labour and Co-operative) invite you to a special launch event for International Year of the Co-operatives - 'How can Local Authorities act more co-operatively'.

The event will have keynote addresses from Cllr James Alexander, leader of York Council, and Anna Turley, co-ordinator of the national co-operative councils network. There will be contributions from across the co-operative movement including Alex Sobel, Manager of Co-operatives Yorkshire and the Humber, and Cllr Kevin Rodgers of Doncaster Council.

The event will explore how the International Year of the Co-operatives can take forward closer co-operation between co-operatives, councillors and local authorities to make our communities a more co-operative place to live.

All welcome and the event is free, to attend please register at http://iyclaunch2012.eventbrite.com/

Co-operatives Yorkshire and the Humber Conference and AGM 2012

The Co-operative Yorkshire and the Humber Conference and AGM will feature a range of regional and national co-operative speakers including Dr Paul Chatterton, of pioneering Eco Housing Co-op LILAC as our keynote speaker. We will have a panel debate on the question 'What does Co-operation in the age of the Big Society mean?' as well as workshops and networking sessions. To register visit http://cyhconfagm2012.eventbrite.com/.

We will also have our AGM and elect new directors. If you wish to become a director of CYH please email alex@co-operatives-yh.coop for a nomination form

Co-operatives UK 2011 Impact Report

The newly launched 2011 Impact Report is a record of impact we have achieved with our members, for our members over 2011.
Co-operatives UK mission is to promote develop and unite co-operative enterprises. Working closely with our members and partners, the Impact Report 2011 relates twenty-nine impacts to date against the mission in 2011.

Some highlights from our Develop impact are:
• We gave co-operative legal and governance advice to 300 enterprises in the last year
• We published three new titles to the 'Simply' series resources
• We helped more than double the number of societies by means of the Community Shares form of finance.

A summary and the full report are available on our website http://www.uk.coop/impact2011.

Mutuals Information Service

Co-operatives UK has been successful in a consortium with PA Consulting, Employee Ownership Association, Baxi Partnership,, Office of Public Management and Social Enterprise UK to deliver the Mutuals Information Service.

The service will have three elements:
• A web portal
• An enquiry phone line
• A triage system

The web portal was launched on 5th December. It provides access to a number of key documents, http://mutuals.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/. Co-operatives UK was not involved in preparing the specification, design or content of the documents on the portal.

More information will follow in the New Year about this service.
 

SEYH Survey

Social Enterprise Yorkshire and the Humber is undertaking a survey of co-operatives and social enterprises in Yorkshire and the Humber following it's first succesful survey (the report can be downloaded here) . If you have 5 minutes it would be great if you could fill in the survey at http://www.viewpoint-research.co.uk/seyh_survey2012web.htm so co-operatives are represented in the results as they were last year when 10% of those who responded were co-operatives.

Co-operatives Yorkshire and the Humber has moved

Co-operatives Yorkshire and the Humber is now based with sister organisation Involve Yorkshire and the Humber in Central Leeds, our new address is:

c/o Involve Yorkshire and the Humber
Floor 5, Gallery House
131 The Headrow
Leeds
LS1 5RD

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

Co-operatives Yorkshire and the Humber 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