About the event
The Autumn Assembly brings together worker co-ops from across the UK to build on liberating work, celebrate what we've achieved and identify future opportunities.
Join us on Wednesday 30 October in Sheffield for this one day event.
Directions:
Important to note that Victoria Hall is a building with entrances on 3 sides - so please do make sure you go to the Chapel Walk entrance - S1 2PD - we are right next door to Samaritan's Charity Shop.
Please see programme in your emails or pick up a programme on the day.
It's a day of discovering and sharing as we continue to create our collaborative, democratic systems within and beyond the worker co-op federation.
The workers.coop Autumn Assembly will be an opportunity for members and supporters to take stock together, since we were conceived at 2022's Worker Co-op Weekend. We created something new, that we owned, and that we alone were responsible for. Now it's time to reflect on how things have been going in order to shed light on our future direction.
Come along to:
- Find out about the practical activities workers.coop is doing
- Strengthen worker co-op networking regionally, nationally and between industries
- Share your thoughts on what support and advice your co-op needs
- Discuss co-op working challenges with other co-ops in a supportive environment
- Learn and gain new co-op relevant skills through skill-sharing and training
- Meet and get to know other worker co-ops
- Have a say on the future direction of workers.coop
Tickets
Based on feedback from last year, we are doing things a bit differently and we are subsidising tickets. This means the event is mostly free apart from a minimal sliding scale ticket price to book a place and recoup a tiny bit of the cost.
This event is open to members and non-members of workers.coop. If you're interested, come along.
There are three ticket prices: Standard, Bursary aimed at members facing financial constraints and Solidarity aimed at members who can afford to pay a bit extra or for non members attending.
Non-members of workers.coop : If you are not a member please buy a Solidarity ticket, or if you would like to attend at the Bursary or Standard rate, Join us.
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Bursary - £10+VAT
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Standard - £15+VAT
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Solidarity - £ 30+VAT
After you've registered you'll be invited to tell us about any topics you'd like included as part of peer learning, workshops and skills sharing.
You'll also be asked if you'd like to book a workers.coop induction. This is for members new and old who want a 10 minute run-through of the current set up of workers.coop, or help logging in.
Bursary fund
There is a bursary available to cover the cost of attending the event for those otherwise unable to attend. This can cover up to your ticket, accommodation and/or transport and it will repay the cost to you. To apply, email sam@workers.coop.
Young Co-operators Network also offer a bursary to those 30 years and under to attend co-op events so this is an alternative fund you can apply to, for more info email solidarity@workers.coop.
The ticket includes:
- Day event
- Delicious vegetarian/vegan lunch
- Tea & coffee
- Opportunity to take home a pile of worker co-op materials
- Opportunity for 1 to 1 induction
- Evening social with food
Programme
The programme is being co-designed by members. To submit a programme suggestion, click here.
The programme will be a blend of short presentations or talks with Q & As; workshops; peer learning; plenty of space for questions; ample networking opportunities; and a delicious vegan lunch. There will be open spaces on the day for last minute sessions.
If you'd like to get involved with organising the Autumn Assembly, there is an open Autumn Assembly working group you're welcome to attend, drop-in, or leave comments. The next meeting date is: Friday 4 October, 12-1pm, join here.
Schedule
For those who will be around the evening before, join us for a meal or just a drink at this lovely pub. Find us in the upstairs Function room, or ask for workers.coop. The room is booked from 6.30pm but people may arrive later than this.
Day event with full programme
Had enough with work? Come along to let your hair down at this evening worker co-op social in Sheffield City Centre. We will head along after the Autumn Assembly event. The social is open so anyone is welcome, bring along your co-opy friends. There will be food, a bar and a sound system for some later night music (if you want to DJ let us know). The venue fits 40 seated or 70 standing and we have the cosy upstairs room all to ourselves, there is also a ground floor outside space and upstairs terrace.
An optional coffee or breakfast together on Thursday morning in a cafe near to the train station.
Accessibility
Please let us know about any accessibility requirements when you register.
The main venue, Victoria Hall, is fully accessible and the upper floors are accessible by lift. The breakout rooms are on the same floor (and corridor) as the main room. A floor plan can be shared if helpful.
The Rutland Arms and the Hagglers' Corner venue are both partly accessible to the rear on the ground floors. If you intend to come and you have accessibility requirements let us know and we can accommodate this as a group.
Accomodation
Accomodation is not included but we will share info on budget options and organising beds.
Here is a Forum thread on low cost budget options near to the venue. Check it out, make suggestions or offer up a place for someone to stay https://forum.workers.coop/t/accommodation-thread-autumn-assembly-2024/922.
workers.coop events
In contrast to the Autumn Assembly, the workers.coop AGM is the online meeting for decision-making and all member forum where members come together to vote on proposals and hear formal updates from the Board. Nor is the Autumn Assembly a replacement for the usual Worker Co-op Weekend in May.
This event has some similarities to the Worker Co-op Weekend:
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Self-organising, member led session - Share ideas for sessions here
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Great Vegan and Vegetarian Food
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Learn from and connect with other worker co-ops
Some differences:
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Is not self-catered, so no potato peeling
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No accomodation, you need to sort yourself out
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Is more focused on workers.coop, getting value out of meeting in person, as well as developing the federation
This event has a limited capacity. To ensure your place, book now on a first come, first serve basis.