Loomio
Fri 6 May 2022 9:45AM

Online session to present/explain/discuss plans for new federation?

CMI Cath M in Bentley (A Commune in the North/Radical Routes/Platform6) Public Seen by 192

Hi all

The Worker co-op Council brought our plans for a new Worker Co-ops Federation to the worker co-op weekend and got full buy-in from those present, as well as starting to make plans for how to get the thing off the ground in a participative way.

I think this needs complementing with an online session for people who weren't there to be brought up to speed and be able to get involved.

If there are 3 or 4 people who want that session to happen, I'll set a date - it can be out of hours next week or working hours/out of hours w/b 16th, so do express a preference for how soon you'd like it. Maybe we should run it twice...

If this is something you feel strongly about, please also use that motivation to get your fellow co-operators to come along and to sign up to this Loomio group

Sessions

  • Monday 25th July - 11-12 - with me & Caleb of Principle 6 and John Atherton (project coordinator)

  • Tue 26th - 3-4 - with me & Debbie from Unicorn Grocery

  • Wed 27th - 6-7 - with me & Matt from Bartleby's Brewery

  • Fri 29th - 1-2 - with me & someone else tbc

They will all take place on meet.coop - if you haven't used it before, it's probably wise to turn up a little bit early to get your audio set up. It is a bit easier to use on a computer than on a phone. I'll be there 10 minutes early to help.

Meeting link: https://rr.meet.coop/cat-ka3-vob-ti3

We'll be referencing both this guide/handbook: https://office.workers.coop/s/LybkjyBdop9eC8x and the Heads of Terms between CUK and the Worker Co-op Council.

If you can RSVP beforehand by email to [email protected] that will be very helpful.

Please note also that we're moving discussion of this project away from Loomio and over to the new federation's new forum: forum.workers.coop

LMH

Liam MacLeod (MediaBlaze Hosts) Fri 6 May 2022 9:49AM

Count me in (Liam)

KW

Kate Whittle Fri 6 May 2022 10:20AM

Excellent news Cath. I'm happy to support/help if I can be of any use. But on holiday now for a couple of weeks, back on 20th May.

NBC

Nathan Brown (Co-op Culture) Fri 6 May 2022 10:47AM

If you video it, it can be watched by others too who are unable to make it.

G

Graham Fri 6 May 2022 11:53AM

Any documentation as to the plans that you presented at the event? I'd be interested in a call.

BC

bob cannell Fri 6 May 2022 12:30PM

Yes please. More than one session please. Late May early June.Bob

JLD

Jack Lord (Open Data Services Co-op) Fri 6 May 2022 3:00PM

Thanks, yes please - and second the request for multiple sessions and a recording. @Tim Blanc has requested some written documentation in this comment - I think that would be very helpful.

I wasn't at the Co-op Worker's Weekend but the informal feedback I have heard is different from "full buy-in" and that, in reality, the question of whether a federation is actually a good idea or not wasn't really addressed.

TB

Tim Blanc Fri 6 May 2022 3:42PM

I do not think that the Worker Co-op Weekend delivered a "Full Buy-In". Rather there was enthusiasm for a "possibility".... as yet to be defined, named or measured in terms of benefits/costs. Whatever happens with this project, proper engagement is needed. The worker co-op movement in the UK is a very different beast from when ICOM was formed. Previous "networks" have come & gone (or weakened), such as 1980's Network of Wholefood Co-ops (remember Beechwood House) or the vibrancy of Radical Roots in the 1990's.... we need to learn & do better. Yes... Coops UK has become too corporate & has pushed the worker co-op movement to a far way corner of their playing field with "Employee Buyouts" being promoted as being more corporate sexy. But the Solidfund has shown the potential for worker co-op principle six inter-cooperation. Let's build on that !!!

What is the rush to set up a Worker Co-op Federation & take it to the Co-ops UK Board ? Please, let's do this right.

SWS

Sion Whellens (Principle Six) Wed 29 Jun 2022 6:05PM

Hi @Tim Blanc not a rush at all. The WCC deliberated long and hard before coming to its collective view, taking soundings and opening discussion, so the process has been going on a while, even if we couldn't go 'public' with it until this spring; the discussions with Co-ops UK and its board started last summer.

We're now in a phase of formal consultation with worker co-op members of Co-ops UK and others, including the dedicated session at Congress, and so far the feedback has been very positive. There are different ways to get involved, and to engage, but it's appreciated that not everyone has the capacity to do so very actively, hence reaching out through all channels - WCW, Congress, these meetings, and a joint WCC/CUK survey which will be coming to you shortly.

DCM

Debbie Clarke (Unicorn, Mcr) Sun 8 May 2022 4:08PM

This would be great Cath, I'd like to be able to share it with folk at Unicorn, either live or recorded

BW

Beanies Wholefoods Tue 10 May 2022 1:33PM

Hi Cath

Here at Beanies in Sheffield, we would be interested in hearing about the plans.

I am away until Tuesday 17th, but sometime from then would be great.

Best wishes

Isabella

( https://www.beanieswholefoods.co.uk/ )
( https://www.soilassociation.org/ )
( https://www.livingwage.org.uk/ )

Sheffield Wholefoods Ltd t/a Beanies

A Co-operative Society. Registration Number: 4591

Registered Office:

1 Barber Road

Sheffield

S10 1EA

VAT No. 471 0025 91

Beanies is a busy wholefoods shop and greengrocer in Walkley. A
workers co-operative, Beanies has been selling wholesome, fresh produce since 1986.

www.beanieswholefoods.co.uk ( https://www.beanieswholefoods.co.uk/ )

0114 268 1662

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