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Thu 20 Dec 2018 10:22AM

Ways Forward 7

MSC Mark Simmonds (Co-op Culture) Public Seen by 47

Note: This thread was "forked" from the noticeboard to encourage more discussion.

CMI

##Ways Forward 7, April 2019
CBC are seeking co-operators/co-operative organisations to partner in the organisation of Ways Forward 7 (working title: Co-operatives For The Many) conference on either 5th or 12th April 2019. This is with a view to those partner(s) taking ‘ownership’ of Ways Forward in future years.

Ways Forward conferences started in 2014, addressing the crises at the Co-operative Bank and Group. The annual event consistently addresses and influences the key topical issues for the wider UK co-operative movement, with strong international co-operative input. High profile key note speakers have included Shadow Ministers John McDonnell, Rebecca Long Bailey and Angela Rayner, former CEO of the Co-operative Group Sir Graham Melmoth, and International Co-operative Alliance leaders Ariel Guarco, Iain Macdonald and Gabriella Buffa.
The conference is affordable and accessible to a range of intergenerational co-operators, through relevant programme and early bird tickets less than £50 and some free subsidised places. Sponsorship from a range of organisations ensures more freedom of speech with no single corporate agenda. Previous conference outputs may be found at www.cbc.coop

Conference organisers are paid reasonable fees and expenses for their work, and co-ordinate volunteer advisors, speakers and helpers.
CBC have already had constructive talks with Co-op Culture and are seeking additonal expressions of interest from those interested in taking an active role in the delivery of Ways Forward 7 – a real opportunity to shape the future of UK co-operative development.
To express an interest, please contact [email protected] with a view to taking part in an on-line Zoom call of potential partners in mid-January Doodle poll link.

MSC

Mark Simmonds (Co-op Culture) Thu 20 Dec 2018 10:25AM

From discussions with P6 directors, I think that we'd be interested in being a partner to WF7, especially with a focus on co-operative development. Let's chat about it at the Zoom meeting tomorrow.

MSC

Mark Simmonds (Co-op Culture) Thu 20 Dec 2018 10:30AM

I think that P6 should facilitate a workshop on novel methods of crowsourcing/crowdfunding co-operative development.

AA

adrian ashton Thu 20 Dec 2018 12:02PM

maybe also how crowdfunding can be used to grow/engage Members too..? (interesting research stats from Nesta show people who financially give through such platforms also want to find ways to actively engage on an ongoing basis) - I was also involved in the world's first collective crowdfunding campaign (a temporary consortia co-op in effect)

MSC

Mark Simmonds (Co-op Culture) Fri 21 Dec 2018 10:54AM

Definitely @adrian - you can do that bit ;)

G

Graham Thu 20 Dec 2018 12:45PM

Is there yet a focus on the theme/purpose of the event for 2019, or is that yet to be agreed? I've been to a couple of them over the years, and the impression I get is that it is at least in part about bringing the three legs of the labour movement together? If it has that political angle to it, and we can get someone like McDonnell or Long-Bailey along then I guess the obvious focus is the whole thing about doubling the size of the cooperative economy, which could include a critique of the 'unleashed' paper, and setting out some alternative approaches that might stand a better chance of success.

MSC

Mark Simmonds (Co-op Culture) Fri 21 Dec 2018 10:43AM

@graham from my conversations with CBC, the focus for WF7 will be around how can we (as the CD sector) ensure that UK co-operative development has the capacity and skills to meet the challenges coming from the NCDS and the Labour Party around significantly growing the co-operative economy. We should also ensure that the CD sector has agency in any wider process.

G

Graham Fri 21 Dec 2018 11:30AM

NCDS = ?

MSC

Mark Simmonds (Co-op Culture) Fri 21 Dec 2018 11:42AM

Sorry @graham2 National Co-operative Development Strategy https://www.uk.coop/tag/national-co-operative-development-strategy

BC

bob cannell Thu 20 Dec 2018 4:19PM

Im being invited to the Coops Unleashed implementation group by the Coop Party (along with Jo Bird, Alex Bird and a selection of other coop enthusiasts). Mark is right. We realised we had a serious problem with coop development but Im not sure this is properly realised, just how bad it is. We said that a national CDA is not the answer.

We also noted that the report included nothing about people. It was all finance and legal. We got 'Creating Cooperators' added to the list of working groups. This now changed to Education and Training which is not the same but ... the Coop College are now involved to push it. Basically not enough people know of the coop economic alternative. Coop loan funds sit unused because they lack applicants. Making more money available and making it easier to start a coop wont solve the problem.

John McDonnell is being informed by the process. He attended the first meeting and his political adviser attends. It isnt party policy so its a suggestion. He was an economic development worker at the GLC a long time ago, the GLC that did a lot for coop development in London and it's legacy is still there. So McD unlike many politicians has experience of doing the work.

Do please tell us what you want to happen in the Coop Unleashed process before WF7 and we can do our best to influence the political process.

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