Community sharesTiziana O’HaraCo-operative Alternatives

Community Shares, Ready! Project is commissioned by the Building Change Trust and delivered by Co-operative

Alternatives

Consider this…Bath and West Community Energy

Also this...A former primary school in the centre of Headingley, Leeds, now a community art centre

Down to Earth NI

https://www.facebook.com/DownToEarthNI

Drumlin Wind Energy Co-operative

https://www.facebook.com/drumlincoop

Co-operatives – a historical overview

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYPe5xJAm5w

Rochdale Pioneers 1844

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Co-operative Definition

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.”

ICA definition

Co-operatives Values

Co-operatives – technical stuff

• Can be incorporated under the Industrial and Provident Society Act (NI)

• Limited liability

• Governing documents are called Rules

• Registration in DETI

• Support available

CO-OP QUIZ

Community Shares - what for?

Community shares explained in less than two minutes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6w-311GBIM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6w-311GBIM&feature=player_detailpage

What are community shares?• A unique form of capital

• Only Cooperatives and Community Benefit Societies (IPS societies)

• £20,000 maximum holding of withdrawable shares

• Withdrawable shares cannot increase in value, but can decrease

• Withdrawable under certain conditions

• Non -transferable

• Interest can be paid on shares

• Mostly outside remit of FSMA 2000

Key elements

CommunityShares

Community shares increase membership and co-ownership: the project is a shared venture

• Investors become your customers/volunteers/champions

• Share investment gives a VOTE and a voice

• People can invest as much or as little as they can afford

• They attract good publicity

• Share investment can be used as leverage – attracts investment from lenders and grant-givers

Not just a financial investment...

Members

Social investors in the community

Activist

CustomerVolunteer

Investor

Service user

Worker

SupplierDirector

Expert

Communities with community shares potential

• Discussion

Community Shares, Ready ! programme

• Building Change Trust & Co-operative Alternatives

• 2013 – 2016

• Promote community shares in Northern Ireland

• Support 5 communities with community shares potentials

• Resource the Third Sector

Resources available now in NI

• Cooperative Alternatives helps and supports groups to set up co-operatives and community benefit societies

• Cooperative Alternatives run a support programme for communities interested in using community shares

Any questions?

Co-operative AlternativesUnit 40a North City Business Centre2 Duncairn GardensBelfast BT15 2GG

Contact Tiziana O’HaraTel. 07858317634tiziana@coopalternatives.coop

www.coopalternatives.coop@commshares and Facebook

Community Shares, Ready! Project is commissioned by the Building Change Trust and delivered by Co-operative

Alternatives