Ash Co-op Policies
Education Policy Agreed General Meeting 12.5.99
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Aims
- Increase expertise available to Co-op in housing and related matters.
- Support the expansion of the Co-op movement.
- Enhance cooperation amongst cooperatives.
Function of Co-op Education Group
- Identify areas where education would be necessary to enhance the running and/or expansion of the Co-op.
- Disseminate up-to-date course information to Co-op members.
- Promote uptake of Co-op Education budget - subject to ASH Co-op rules.(see appendix)
Members Responsibilities
- Complete concise, simple statement describing (as CM/ AGM proposal attachment):
- ‘Why they want to attend this particular course/ seminar/ conference.’
- ‘How ASH Co-op will benefit from this.’
- Requirement of completing of Co-op funded courses is to pass on acquired skills/experience to other Co-op members - where practical.
- Complete post-course evaluation form after attending Co-op funded training courses.
- Utilise acquired skills to benefit of Co-op.
Funding for Members and Staff
- Training sessions must relate to rules 2 & 3 of ASH Co-op rules. (see appendix)
- Members not allowed to vote for their own applications.
- Allocations require agreement, of GM or CM, that course will benefit ASH Co-op.
- 4.4 Allocation subject to approval of GM or CM - decision must take into account education budget reserves and other priorities.
Funding for Members of General Public
- Total funding allocation not to exceed 10% of overall education budget.
- Preference must be given to ASH Co-op’s needs and allocations.
- Benefit to ASH Co-op members must be provided in exchange for funding.
- Allocation subject to approval of GM - decision must take into account education budget reserves and other priorities.
Guidelines for Education Group Coordinator
- Monitor relevant training courses available from local schools, colleges and other organisations (e.g. general skills courses: computing, book-keeping etc.).
- Monitor relevant training courses available from specialist housing organisations such as the NFHA, Housing Corporation etc.
- Maintain easily accessible records on available courses.
- Monitor and identify ASH Co-op’s training needs.
- Liase with other Group Coordinators and members about Co-op training needs
- Encourage other Co-op members to attend training courses.
- Organise the payment of reasonable sundry course expenses. This includes the following:
- Travel
- Remind Co-op members to retain all travel tickets for reimbursement.
- Co-op members are encouraged to utilise public transport where practical.
- Petrol expenses + vehicle wear & tear paid at current ASH Co-op rate.
- Food
- Remind Co-op members to retain all receipts for reimbursement.
- Limit for day course:
- £5 (outside Cambridge City). * Limit for course with overnight stay: £15 / day (accommodation costs exclusive of meal costs); £5 / day (accommodation costs inclusive of meal costs).
- Accommodation
- Encourage Co-op members to use accommodation facilities if offered with course.
- Contact event organisers for advice on reasonably priced local accommodation if required.
- Limit for daily accommodation costs: £50 / night (if no cheaper alternative available).
- Ensure that applications are made for bursaries (grants) where available.
- Liaise with Finance Group to ensure that all payments for courses are made promptly.
- Report at least quarterly to Committee meetings.
- Prepare a summary of the previous year’s educational activities for the Annual Report-to be presented at the AGM.
- Review the policy at least annually.
- Cooperate with Allocations Group to ensure production of members handbook.
- By provision for development of the business of the cooperative;
- By provision of common services; or
- By distribution among the members in proportion to their transactions with the society.
appendix 1
from ASH CO-OP RULESRule 2 The object of the society shall be:- (a) the construction, improvement and management, on the Cooperative principles (as set out in the appendix of these rules), of houses for occupation by the members of the society. and (b) the provision and improvement, on the Cooperative principles, of land or buildings for purposes connected with the requirements of the members occupying the houses provided by the society. Rule 3 The society shall have the power to do all things necessary or expedient for the fulfillment of its objects.
Appendix 2
Cooperative Principles 1. … 2. … 3. …4. The economic results arising out of the operations of a society belong to the members of that society and should be distributed in such a manner as would avoid one member gaining at the expense of others. This may be done as follows:
