Cooperatives NorthWest

Co-operatives North West Newsletter February 2009

Inaugural General Meeting
Friday 13 March, 10.30am-2.30pm, GHS, South Meadow Lane, Preston PR1 8JN
In the last 12 months, co-operative enterprises have shown significant advantages in surviving and thriving, compared to their capitalist counterparts. This event will promote success stories from the co-operative sector in the North West region. Co-operative North West Ltd will hold its inaugural general meeting at which members will have the chance to ask questions,have their say,stand for and elect a board of directors. Free lunch [Indian vegetarian] will be provided to all those who let us know they are coming by Thursday 26 February. Please email names of delegates and names of organisations to jo[at]cooperatives-nw.coop or phone 07970075704
http://www.cooperatives-nw-coop/documents/inaugural-general-meeting-info...

Community Share Issues
Seminar, Wednesday 29 April, Manchester
Co-operatives UK and the Development Trusts Association are running an awareness raising seminar about the Community Shares action research project led by Jim Brown, Baker Brown Associates. Seminars include input by the Financial Services Authority. To register a place contact Petra Morris, Co-operatives UK 0161 246 2960 or petra.morris[at]cooperatives-uk.coop.
http://.communityshares.org.uk

Co-operative Excellence Awards
Nominations now open
Co-operatives UK has launched Co-operative Excellence: the national awards recognising excellence in co-operatives. If you are - or know - an individual or co-operative business in the UK that deserves greater recognition for the work
that they do to promote co-operatives and the values of co-operation, now is your opportunity to put them forward for a Co-operative Excellence award. Nominations close on 30 April 2009 and will then be reviewed by an independent
judging panel. The awards will be presented on 27 June at Co-operatives 2009 in Old Windsor, Berkshire. Contact Joe Robinson on 0161 2462906. www.cooperatives-uk.coop

InterAct 09
8th Co-operative Education Conference, 10-11 July, Northampton
Participative conference on co-operative contributions to social cohesion. The theme of social cohesion touches all our lives - in our schools, in our communities and in the third sector. East of England Co-op look forward to spending this time with you to share experiences and explore strategies to address the agenda. Some bursaries are available. Contact 01473 280316 or education@eastofengland.coop.www.eastofengland.coop

Making Local Food Work
Governance and Legal Structures training; November 25th Lancaster
Throughout this year the Co-operatives UK team are offering regional one day training days on Governance and Legal Structures so to improve the knowledge of good governance and its critical role in the sustainability of organisations. The training is from 10am-4pm and will cover: Typical legal and organisational structures for community based local food initiatives; Good governance - common problems and good practice; How to facilitate groups in choosing the correct structures - interactive select-a-structure workshop. £50+VAT per person inc lunch. Contact Making Local Food work team on 0161 246 2953 or
mlfw[at]cooperatives-uk.coop.www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/about/gs/Regional_training.cfm

Rugby League Supporters Trust Development Officer
Job vacancy, £25,000 pa
Supporters Direct is looking for a dynamic, committed and highly skilled individual to help establish, develop and support supporters’ trusts in rugby league. This includes the Engage Super League and the Cooperative Championship Competition clubs. Supporters Direct is the national umbrella body for over 150 supporters’ trusts across the United Kingdom. This exciting new opportunity is a result of a partnership with the RFL and the Co-operative Group. The ideal candidate must be prepared to travel to meetings throughout the country, although the majority of work is expected to be in Yorkshire and the North West. Contact jobs[at]supporters-direct.org or call 020 7273 1576. Applications should be received as a CV with covering letter by 20th February 2009. www.supporters-direct.org/news/item.asp?n=3821&cat=sd_eng

EDM Bill
Lobby your MP
The Building Societies Association and the Ecology Building Society are encouraging MPs to sign the Early day motion (no 426) on Building Societies and the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. The bills faced by building societies are disproportionately high because the government compensation levy relates to the level of the customer deposits held (which tend to be higher for mutual organisations), rather than the risk each institution poses to the financial system. More at http://www.ecology.co.uk/html/news/latestnews.htm including draft text for a letter to MP

North West Social Enterprise trade fair
16th June Aintree race course, Equestrian Centre, Liverpool
Social Enterprise North West[SENW] present: IN BUSINESS FOR GOOD.
A showcase and celebration of North West social enterprises. Join us for the first ever North West social enterprise trade fair. This is your opportunity to find out more about the increasing opportunities for social enterprises and participate in the learning and trading experience. To register your interest email info@senw.org.uk

Recycle IT
Recycle IT is a new worker co-operative based in Hulme, Manchester which recycles computer and ICT equipment. They are looking for new customers from which to collect computer equipment for recycling. If you social enterprise or any of your clients are in the process of upgrading your computers and/or ICT you can contact Recycle IT on the e-mail above or on 0161 226 0637.

Supporters trusts seminars
Funded by Co-operatives North West, November 2008 and January 2009
Both events were attended by 11 delegates from a wide range of supporters’ trusts in the North West , supporting both football clubs and rugby league clubs. The day was split into various group and individual activities which honed the knowledge and skills required to be a supporters’ trust board member. Topics included shareholding, planning, IPS legislation, the history and background of Supporters Direct and of course the values and principles of Co-operatives. Each delegate received a workbook and USB stick containing lots of information and guidance to take away and use practically at their own trusts. The course is now being presented around England and Wales throughout 2009

Co-operatives Exchange
Manchester, January 2009
Over 60 people attended this networking event, funded by Co-operatives North West. Speaker presentations and some workshop notes are on www.lowwintersun.info/coopsexchange.zip. Photos from the day are on www.flickr.com/photos/34806694@N04/ including peoples' index cards, listing what they offer and require. Please look through them to see if there's anything you would like or you can help with. Contact jonathan[at]lowwintersun.info or jo[at]cbc.coop

Our Co-operative Advantage
25 people attending this networking event in January at Penrith Co-operative Society. Excellent line up of speakers included the award winning Moody Baker, Carlisle Credit Union and Hugh Donnelly from Co-operative Development Scotland. The event was funded by Co-operatives NW and organised by Social Enterprise & Co-operative Development (SECOD).

Co-operatives North West
Objectives and e-newsletter
As the network of co-operative enterprise in the region, Co-operatives North West aims to:
1. raise the profile of the co-operative sector
2. represent the interests of co-operatives
3. encourage mutual support, inter-trading and networking; and share best practice, training and development opportunities
4. strengthen co-operative endeavour by working with local, regional and national organisations.

This is the e-newsletter of Co-operatives North West. Please forward this
newsletter to people that may be interested. To subscribe or unsubscribe to this
newsletter please go to www.cooperatives-nw.coop/user/register. To e-mail
contributions, please contact jo[at]cooperatives-nw.coop. Co-operatives North
West is supported by the Co-operative Development Fund and the North West
Development Agency.