Events

Sociocracy in Co-operatives - second annual conference

Call for workshop proposals is live for our second annual Sociocracy in Co-operatives on-line conference. 23rd June 2022

We're looking for 45 and 90 minute sessions suitable for the following formats:

1. Learn – introductory training sessions (interactive, practical) focusing on particular sociocratic (or complementary) tools or skills (suitable for beginners)

2. Showcase – Adventures in Sociocracy, showcase your co-op’s implementation (suitable for any level of familiarity with sociocracy)

3. Topic Talks – Exploring issues in sociocracy in co-ops, particularly any exploration of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (Intermediate – assumes familiarity with sociocracy and co-ops)

https://www.sociocracyforall.org/sociocracy-in-cooperatives-conference-2022/

Ideas that sparkle, spark discussion, spark interest Graham!

"all about the strength of the idea, not the speaker" + "two sparkling 15 minute talks" = contradiction.

Our Co-op Connections Ideas Generator is happening this year. This is all about a resource, an idea, a practice you've seen or some research worth spreading among our lively co-op community. We're looking for strong but simple co-op-related ideas worth a share. It's all about the strength of the idea, and not the speaker, so if you have something up your co-op sleeve, let's hear it. Use the chat on the day to gauge its spreadability! 😀 We're looking for two SPARKLING 🌠 15-min talks with two slots available on Wed 30 Mar and 27 Apr 3:30pm. Keen to share, or want to know more, email me at [email protected]

Global Forum on Democratising Work

Guessing many people have heard about this, but just in case...

https://democratizingwork.org/global-forum

People Support Co-op are hosting a series of one hour taster events online.

Please join us for:

• An Introduction to Sociocracy, Monday 19th July 1-2pm

• Introduction to Consent Decision Making, Monday 13th September 1-2pm

• Introduction to Talking about Power Dynamics at Work, Monday 18th Oct 1-2pm

• Co-creating Proposals in Groups, Monday 15th November 1-2pm

Our first session is a one-hour introduction to sociocracy. Come along to learn more about sociocratic governance and the benefits it could offer to your co-op.  We’ll cover:

• What is sociocracy? A very brief history

• The four main elements of sociocratic governance

• Benefits of sociocracy - including better meetings and clearer decision making

• How to get started

Each session costs just £30 per person (£20 low income). More details and booking info on our website: https://peoplesupport.coop/events/

union-coops:uk are working to bring the common interests of worker co-operators and trade unionists together to create decent work.

Read our Manifesto here https://union-coops.uk/a-manifesto-for-decent-work/

Our first Conference will be on Oct 1st/2nd at Wortley Hall, itself a worker co-op, and bookings are open for day delegates or the full 24 hour package. Early bird prices finish on June 30th. Full details here https://union-coops.uk/conference-21/

We have a small number of bursary places available for individuals under 30 who are unwaged or in insecure low paid employment thanks to sponsorship from Co-operative Ways Forward. Applications for bursary places must be completed by July 31st. Apply here https://union-coops.uk/bursaries-2/

CECOP Mutual Learning Session on Cooperatives' Social Impact Measurement - 14 July from 10:00 to 12:00 (Brussels time), online. Link to register

The session will be based on the toolkit that was published last year., Measuring Social Impact of Industrial and Services cooperatives in Europe 
During the session our members from Italy, Spain, and Poland will be able to share their experiences on the topic . During the discussion we will answer questions such as: What is cooperative social impact? And why is it important? Participants will also be able to learn and exchanges on the challenges and opportunities related to the use and application of measurement tools.
 
All members that are interested on the topic are welcome to join, as well as those members who are approaching the topic for the first time. 

Participants are welcome to contribute to the discussion. During the meeting we will provide an interactive tool to do so, and via the registration form it is already possible to ask the speakers your questions in advance.

The meeting will take place in English, but we can provide interpretation on demand. For this or any additional question, do not hesitate to email [email protected].

People Support Co-op Launch Event - Wednesday 23rd June, 1-2pm (zoom)

Register here.

Earlier this year we created a new sociocratic workers’ co-op called People Support. Our purpose is to provide a broad range of advice and support services around human relationships in the workplace and to support the co-operative movement in its role as a key player of economic and social change.

We are currently three founder member directors, all graduates of the first Barefoot Co-op and Community Business Development training programme and between us bringing 30 years of experience in the co-op sector. We are all women based in the North West of England, although we offer services nationally. We can provide hands-on support for your HR function as well as around governance and workplace culture.

We’re officially launching our services during Co-ops Fortnight and we’d like to invite you to  join us for our lunchtime event which will take place live on Zoom, 1-2pm GMT on Wednesday 23rd June. The event will provide the chance for you to hear a little more about us and for us to answer some of your HR and governance related questions.

We’re delighted to be joined by Nathan Brown and Mark Simmonds from Co-op Culture and by Kate Whittle from Cooperantics who will co-host the event with us. They will also be able to tell you a little about the Barefoot Co-op and Community Development training programme from which we recently graduated.

As a big thank you for supporting us we’re offering a 10% discount on our workshops and selected services to anyone who comes along to our launch.

To register for the event, just click here. You’ll have the option to submit a question to us when you register and if we don’t get a chance to answer it during the event, we’ll be in touch afterwards to help out. 

If you can’t make it to our launch event and you’re interested in hearing more about our services, please contact us at [email protected]

MAIS (Mutual Aid in Sussex) is trying to re-establish itself and has just oganised this free event on Care Coops, online on the 10th June - https://maisnetwork.net/

Come along, tell other folk ... and if any one wants to help regrow MAIS it could do with more engagement as myself and other core-members are standing down for various reasons...