Worker Co-op Knowledge-Sharing Session 2025
Sam Toland
Public
Seen by 10
Current Status:
Proposal for 500euro budget for session with network for consideration (decision by 3rd February 2025)
Current Proposal with network:
Context
The Chicken Coop Animation Co-Op, an emerging worker co-operative in the creative sector, has recently reached out to our network seeking guidance on their path to incorporation. They've developed their 2025 strategy and are at a crucial stage where peer learning could make a significant difference to their development.
This micro-initiative responds directly to their request for an in-person knowledge-sharing session. The group has specifically expressed interest in learning from experienced co-operators about the practical roadmap to incorporation, and they've indicated a strong preference for face-to-face connection with the wider co-op community.
Their timing aligns well with our network's recent decision to invest our remaining budget in practical, focused projects that create value for our members and the wider co-op ecosystem.
What is the decision you need to make?
To approve funding of €500 from our micro-initiatives budget for a structured knowledge-sharing session between experienced worker co-operators and a group looking to form a new worker co-op.
Why is this important?
This initiative directly supports our network's core purpose by:
Facilitating direct knowledge transfer between experienced and emerging co-operators
Supporting the development of new worker co-ops
Creating valuable connections within our wider co-op ecosystem
Documenting practical insights that can benefit future co-op developers
Project Details
Format
2-hour in-person session in Dublin (where majority of potential participants are based)
Focused sharing of start-up stories and lessons learned
Practical Q&A and discussion
Documentation of key insights for network sharing
Venue
Free venue to be confirmed (options include):
Phibsborough Co-op Space
SIPTU
Unite
GCC office (Dalkey)
Budget Breakdown
Total requested: €500
Direct Session Costs (€240):
4 experienced worker co-operators × 2 hours × €20/hr = €160
2 facilitators × 2 hours × €20/hr = €80
Organisating (€120):
2 facilitators × 3 hours × €20/hr = €120
(Covering session planning, participant coordination, and documentation)
Travel Expenses (€140):
Travel costs for participants (up to €140 total) - a number of participants may travel from Belfast.
Timeline
Session to be held in February/March 2025
Full report back to network by March/April 2025
Expected Outcomes
Direct support for an emerging worker co-op
Documented insights and lessons learned to share with network
Strengthened connections between existing and emerging co-ops
Practical template for future peer-learning sessions
How will this be documented?
Session notes and key takeaways will be shared on Loomio
Brief case study of the emerging co-op's journey
Practical checklist based on experienced co-operators' insights
What happens if this is approved?
Confirm venue and date
Finalise experienced co-operator participants (Great Care Co-op, Creative Workers Co-op)
Create session structure and materials
Hold session
Document and share learnings
What are you asking of people in this proposal?
To approve €500 from our micro-initiatives budget to support this knowledge-sharing session.
Alice McLarnon Mon 10 Feb 2025 7:32PM
Hi Sam,
Can't speak for Creative workers, I'll have chat with them this week.
Happy to help in anyway I can, would prefer Zoom or some other online way to chat and assist if possible. Just thinking about the 5 hours extra travel time and at present flat out with deadlines etc. So if can help and cut down on travel time I'm happy to do so.
AliceÂ
aoife Thu 13 Feb 2025 12:09PM
Hi Sam, probably a Friday afternoon would work best to get a few of the team onboard and available. Sorry for the delay folks.Â
Aoife Smith (She/her)
CEO
Direct Line: 01 2336195
Main Office Phone: 01 2336194
I do not work on Friday
My working day may not be your working day. Please do not feel obliged to reply to this email outside of your normal working hours.
Â
Winner 'New Business Entrepreneurs Award' 2022 DLR Chamber
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email and any attachments sent with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or company to whom they are addressed. This message contains confidential information and is intended only for the individual or company named. If you are not the named addressee you should not disseminate, distribute, disclose, publish or copy information contained in this e-mail. Please notify the sender immediately by e-mail if you have received this e-mail by mistake and delete this e-mail from your system. If you are not the intended recipient you are notified that disseminating, distributing, disclosing, publishing, copying or taking any action in relation to the content of this email is strictly prohibited.
Registered Address: 13 Lower Dorset Street, Dublin 1, D01 Y893
Elisa Beli Borrelli Thu 20 Feb 2025 5:48PM
Hello all,
I'm Eli, the creative director from the chicke coop --any day and time is fine for us, can either be online or at the fsu building. If Friday is the best option for everyone we can schedule for then, just let us know!
Sam Toland Fri 21 Feb 2025 2:54PM
@gregjwayne94
It looks like the Belfast folks would prefer a Zoom-in option, and Great Care Co-op people are generally available Friday evening.
What do you think about going hybrid - this would mean we could bring in a speaker from GB and maybe US as well.
Can you confirm:
- sounds good to you?
- propose a few Friday afternoons in March that suit your group, and room is available
- confirm that the room in FSU is well set up for hybrid (big screen and good sound/mic)
We can then confirm a date with the GCC people, and we'll build around that date?
Item removed
Sam Toland Tue 25 Feb 2025 5:15PM
@aoife3
Hi Aoife, yeh the idea is that care workers are in attendance. Do you think a Wednesday early evening might work?
isabel power Mon 24 Feb 2025 1:34PM
I'll probably have to join hybrid but will know closer to the time :)
Greta Spitczok von Brisinski Tue 25 Feb 2025 5:47PM
Thank you for getting this going!
I just saw that the day might be changing, should we hold off on voting for the current time options?
Also, would it be helpful if the meeting was fully digital, given many participants won't be able to join in person or have restricted time windows? It might help to find a time slot that works for everybody if the commute is no longer a factor.
We're happy to adjust to whatever is easiest for everyone, what do you think?
isabel power Wed 26 Feb 2025 1:09PM
@Greta Spitczok von Brisinski Agreed. I think an online meeting would be the easiest for everyone to join.
Gregory Wayne Wed 26 Feb 2025 2:36PM
Hi so sorry I've been a little MIA, some union negotiations have gone underway with some studios and it's been eating my time.
I'm having a call with Gareth tomorrow I'll see if during work hours is grand (3pm etc) or if it needs to be 5pm onward. The room sits 20 people and has conference call hardware. We host our union meetings this way with minimal tech hiccups.
If we're picking a new date the week after the 13th would work better for me but I can make anything work, especially if there's a remote option.
I'd say settle on a date, I'll see if the office is available, and if it isn't, we just do full remote?
Poll Created Fri 28 Feb 2025 1:31PM
Set date for Worker Co-op Knowledge-Sharing - Take Two Closed Mon 3 Mar 2025 8:00AM
I am proposing soft start of 17:30 on either 18th or 19th March - we'll arrange some food for 17:30 and then kick off around 18:00 for 1:30 hour discussion.
Aoife has linked me in with GCC workers, and I am confirming which of the two dates works for them, and we can then book venue.
What is the meeting or event?
Worker Co-op Knowledge-Sharing Session 2025 - see the thread.
What are you asking people to do?
Based on feedback so far, it looks like event will need to be Tuesday or Wednesday late afternoon.
We have two potential venues - @Gregory Wayne and Leo McConnell - please confirm as a comment which dates the FSU offices and Co-op Space in Phisborough respectively are free.
I am thinking we will organise some sort of meal, given the proposed timings.
Everyone else, please share your availability ASAP (you can comment if you are only available to join online).
Mark the timeslots you are available with the green 'thumbs up' icon or leave the red 'thumbs down' in place when unavailable.
Use the 'thumbs sideways' icon to say you are available 'if need be'.
Results
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Tue 11 Mar 2025 2:00PM |
1.5 |
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Tue 11 Mar 2025 3:00PM |
1.5 |
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Tue 11 Mar 2025 4:00PM |
2 |
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Tue 11 Mar 2025 5:00PM |
2 |
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Wed 12 Mar 2025 2:00PM |
1.5 |
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Wed 12 Mar 2025 3:00PM |
2 |
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Wed 12 Mar 2025 4:00PM |
2 |
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Wed 12 Mar 2025 5:00PM |
2 |
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Tue 18 Mar 2025 4:00PM |
3 |
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Tue 18 Mar 2025 5:00PM |
4.5 |
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Wed 19 Mar 2025 4:00PM |
4.5 |
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Wed 19 Mar 2025 5:00PM |
5.5 |
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Wed 26 Mar 2025 2:00PM |
4 |
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Wed 26 Mar 2025 3:00PM |
5 |
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Wed 26 Mar 2025 4:00PM |
5 |
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Wed 26 Mar 2025 5:00PM |
4.5 |
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6 of 12 people have participated (50%)
isabel power Fri 28 Feb 2025 1:31PM
Hybrid only for me if it suits :)
Alice McLarnon Fri 28 Feb 2025 1:31PM
Available online if needs be.
aoife Mon 3 Mar 2025 2:16PM
Sam, there has been an update, GCCÂ board have board training on Tuesday 18th March so the carers IÂ linked in for this will not be available on Tuesday 18th. Apologies.Â
Aoife Smith (She/her)
CEO
Direct Line: 01 2336195
Main Office Phone: 01 2336194
I do not work on Friday
My working day may not be your working day. Please do not feel obliged to reply to this email outside of your normal working hours.
Â
Winner 'New Business Entrepreneurs Award' 2022 DLR Chamber
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email and any attachments sent with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or company to whom they are addressed. This message contains confidential information and is intended only for the individual or company named. If you are not the named addressee you should not disseminate, distribute, disclose, publish or copy information contained in this e-mail. Please notify the sender immediately by e-mail if you have received this e-mail by mistake and delete this e-mail from your system. If you are not the intended recipient you are notified that disseminating, distributing, disclosing, publishing, copying or taking any action in relation to the content of this email is strictly prohibited.
Registered Address: 13 Lower Dorset Street, Dublin 1, D01 Y893
Gregory Wayne Fri 28 Feb 2025 1:45PM
Looks great, any date 18th - onward is workable for me. FSU is most easy to book from 5pm onwards but I can negotiate earlier if one of the other times suits much better.
Sam Toland Mon 3 Mar 2025 11:06AM
@gregjwayne94 thanks Greg - can you confirm we can bring people in hybrid in the FSU room. @alice07 from Belfast Cleaning Society can only attend virtually, but her experience with setting up BCS will be valuable to you all.
Gregory Wayne Mon 3 Mar 2025 7:03PM
@Sam Toland yes hybrid is no issue. The only issue we have sometimes is when we share our screen in the room sometimes PowerPoint has to be reopened. Takes two seconds and I'm familiar with the glitch so can fix it in a second if it happens.
But there are mics and speakers and a tv etc etc. it's been great for our union work.
Gregory Wayne Mon 10 Mar 2025 10:07AM
Got confirmation we have the room at FSU booked for March 19th 5PM. If another day / place is more suitable I can re arrange :)
Greta Spitczok von Brisinski Wed 12 Mar 2025 4:38PM
Awesome, thanks for sorting this Greg!
Greta Spitczok von Brisinski Sun 16 Mar 2025 8:37PM
Hiya everyone, we're looking forward to meeting everyone at the seminar on Wednesday!
For the people joining hybrid, @Sam Toland do you have a preferred platform for the digital side of the meeting? Zoom, Google meet and Microsoft Teams all seem to have a 40/60 minute time limit for free meetings, would one of the co-ops happen to have a paid service or an alternative available?
Worst case we can probably split it into 2 free meetings right after each other, we just need to know what to organise. Thank you!
Gregory Wayne Sun 16 Mar 2025 10:21PM
@Greta Spitczok von Brisinski I believe FSU have a paid Zoom account which allows for hosting meetings without time limits, I can confirm Tuesday morning.
Greta Spitczok von Brisinski Mon 17 Mar 2025 9:44AM
That would be awesome, thank you!
Gregory Wayne Tue 18 Mar 2025 12:34PM
Confirmed: FSU Offices Booked 5-7:30 Tomorrow, March 19th.
I will arrive earlier to set up the room and send out a Zoom Link for hybrid attendees. There is a large table set up outside the conference room that will be appropriate for catered food. I can also try and wrangle up some coffee and tea in the boilers.
See you all tomorrow! :D
Sam Toland · Mon 10 Feb 2025 6:31PM
@gregjwayne94
@aoife3 - if yourself and a few GCC workers were to attend on a paid basis - what time / day would suit them best.
@alice07 - what about creative workers and Belfast cleaning on the same basis?