Aizlewood’s Mill

Notice from the organisers of Sheffield’s Festival of Debate

We have spent the last six months planning and programming the Festival of Debate 2020, working with over 70 partners to confirm 130 events to take place from 14 April to 31 May in Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley and Doncaster. To our knowledge, it would have been the biggest festival of non-partisan politics and civic engagement in the UK.

It is with great regret that we have concluded that none of these events can go ahead safely due to the coronavirus outbreak and we need to postpone the 2020 Festival of Debate programme. This is not a cancellation – at this time more than ever we need to discuss how we can come together to make change.

For the full announcement see:

https://www.festivalofdebate.com/festival-of-debate

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Co-operative identity, values & principles

A co-operative is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise.

Values

Co-operatives are based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity. In the tradition of their founders, co-operative members believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility and caring for others.

Principles

The co-operative principles are guidelines by which co-operatives put their values into practice.

Principle 1: Voluntary and Open Membership

Co-operatives are voluntary organisations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination.

Principle 2: Democratic Member Control

Co-operatives are democratic organisations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions. Men and women serving as elected representatives are accountable to the membership. In primary co-operatives members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote) and co-operatives at other levels are also organised in a democratic manner.

Principle 3: Member Economic Participation

Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their co-operative. At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the co-operative. Members usually receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a condition of membership. Members allocate surpluses for any or all of the following purposes: developing their co-operative, possibly by setting up reserves, part of which at least would be indivisible; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the co-operative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership.

Principle 4: Autonomy and Independence

Co-operatives are autonomous, self-help organisations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organisations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their co-operative autonomy.

Principle 5: Education, Training and Information

Co-operatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their co-operatives. They inform the general public – particularly young people and opinion leaders – about the nature and benefits of co-operation.

Principle 6: Co-operation among Co-operatives

Co-operatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the co-operative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures.

Principle 7: Concern for Community

Co-operatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies approved by their members.

More information about the values and principles can be found at: www.ica.coop

The Principle 5 Collection

The Principle 5 Collection is now fully catalogued. The archive material is recorded on 12 spreadsheets which you will find on the Archives page:

https://www.principle5.coop/archives

For the Library book spreadsheet click on the link below: