Folk Cooperatives

Subject: Folk Cooperatives
From: SPB-Cooperator
Date: 16 Jun 10 - 03:34 PM

19th June to 3rd July has been designated as International Co-operative Fortnight.

What folk groups, clubs, venues successfully operate on a co-operative basis? Is this an informal or formal arrangement, and if the latter, what co-operative model has been adopted.

And finally, how ar eyou planning to celebrate the fortnight and/or Internation Co-op Day on 3rd July?

Steve

Subject: RE: Folk Cooperatives
From: GUEST,PeterC
Date: 16 Jun 10 - 05:48 PM

International Co-op day? never heard of it until I read this post.

The definition of a cooperative in Wikipedia is a legal entity owned and democratically controlled by its members

I have never seen one formally set up as a cooperative. Most, while technically unincorporated societies with a constitution and officers to satisfy the requirements of a bank account, seem to be run by a largely self appointed formal or informal group consisting of the very few who can be bothered to get involved with day to day organisation.

If the club works, most people seem happy to let the organisers get on with it.

Subject: RE: Folk Cooperatives
From: SPB-Cooperator
Date: 17 Jun 10 - 01:32 AM

International co-op day has been celebrated every year since 1923. See link http://www.ica.coop/activities/idc.html

Subject: RE: Folk Cooperatives
From: GUEST,Georgina Boyes
Date: 17 Jun 10 - 05:20 AM

No Masters Co-operative will be celebrating its 20th Birthday with a concert at Saltaire in West Yorkshire on the 9th July (outside Co-operative Fortnight but the nearest time we could get the venue and members' availability to coincide). If you'd like more details, check out the No Masters and Saltaire Live websites.

For those interested in the technicalities, No Masters is a not-for-profit, Members' Co-op.

Georgina

Subject: RE: Folk Cooperatives
From: Leadfingers
Date: 17 Jun 10 - 07:50 AM

What about forming a Co Operative to buy the Seegar Banjo ?? I'd hate to think it was going into someone's collection and NOT getting played !