Allow GreenNet to join CoTech
Chris Lowis (Go Free Range)
Public
Seen by 104
GreenNet have contacted us and wish to join CoTech. Are we happy for them to join?
> GreenNet http://greennet.org.uk is a collective that has been operating for 30 years doing a variety of internet related activities. We have recently been investigating (with www.hced.co.uk) about whether to formally become a coop, and have mapped out the next steps.
> I believe that we were approached to join when the group was starting up, andit certainly looks like we'd be a good fit. We're working with Wave at the moment, and have been in contact with other members like Calverts and Outlandish over the years...
> What would we need to do to join up now? and what would our obligations as members be?
Poll Created Wed 12 Jul 2017 9:53AM
Allow GreenNet to join CoTech Closed Wed 19 Jul 2017 9:01AM
Thank you everyone for taking part in this disussion and proposal. Of the 26 member co-operatives, 13 (50%) cast a vote. 9 agreed with the proposal as written, 3 disagreed and 1 abstained.
There was a strong sentiment raised that GreenNet would "make a great addition to the CoTech network". Ed Maw from GreenNet very articulately and generously explained the process they are going through to become a cooperative and expressed a public commitment to adopting the Co-operative principles as part of this transition.
This proposal raised two principle objections:
- The membership criteria for joining CoTech is not clear
- Related to this, concern that GreenNet are not currently a "formal" co-op
In addition while writing up this summary I realised that it is not clear to me:
- What rules apply to a proposal of this nature in terms of voting basis (majority, unanimity, something else?) and quorum.
I'm sure that everyone would wish to join me in thanking Ed and GreenNet for showing such enthusiasm in CoTech and for kicking off this discussion.
Given that there are objections to this proposal, and ambiguity over the membership criteria, may I suggest that we do not carry GreenNet's application immediately but move rapidly to clarifying what our criteria should be for accepting new members?
Please vote once on behalf of your cooperative.
Results
| Results | Option | % of points | Voters | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Agree | 61.5% | 8 |
|
| Abstain | 15.4% | 2 |
|
|
| Disagree | 23.1% | 3 |
|
|
| Block | 0.0% | 0 | ||
| Undecided | 0% | 84 |
|
13 of 97 people have participated (13%)
Sion Whellens (Principle Six)
Wed 12 Jul 2017 9:59AM
Greennet will make a great addition to the CoTech network
Shaun Fensom
Wed 12 Jul 2017 12:43PM
Changed my mind. They need to become a coop first.
Simon Grant
Wed 12 Jul 2017 1:02PM
Voting for Cetis LLP. After seeing the discussion on this, then I think whether they should join before actually constituting as a co-op should be down to their reputation with those who know them.
Jack Thorp
Wed 12 Jul 2017 3:58PM
[fairmondo] - I trust GreenNets word they are following the seven principles. This makes them a coop for us. Would be handy if they joined Coops UK. Shouldn't this be fairly straight forward if an organisation already 'operates as a coop'?
Aaron Hirtenstein
Wed 12 Jul 2017 7:00PM
(Agile Collective) Thanks, Ed, for responding so thoroughly but will abstain for now in line with what Simon said.
Thomas Parisot (dtc innovation)
Thu 13 Jul 2017 6:01AM
[dtc innovation] so far, the only thing which does not make GreenNet a co-op per se is not having the "co-op sticker" on their face — acting as is, working as is, and co-operating as is seems way enough to me.
Graham
Thu 13 Jul 2017 10:20AM
Voting against (on behalf of MC3 LLP) because GreenNet is not a coop. Happy to vote in favour the moment they formally become a cooperative, and will celebrate that day.
Harry "Outlandish" Robbins
Thu 13 Jul 2017 3:54PM
I'm personally in favour as they're in the process of becoming a co-op but need to check with Outlandish
Chris Croome (Webarchitects Co-operative)
Fri 14 Jul 2017 2:00PM
GreenNet need to first agree and follow the Co-operative Principals.