Save SkateMCR Co-op Meeting - March 3rd
| March 3, 2008 | ||
| 7:00 pm | to | 9:00 pm |
As you may know, SkateMCR needs to become a Co-operative to keep going. The poll on this page currently suggests that 85% of you want SkateMCR to continue. So it’s time to do something about it.
On Monday March 3rd we’ve got an open meeting for you to come and find out more about becoming a member of a SkateMCR Co-operative. The meeting will be upstairs at Central Skatepark at 7pm - put it in your diary or online calendar or phone now!
We’ll talk about what being a member will involve, what you would like SkateMCR to carry on doing or start doing, and what the next steps will be. Just to remind you, here are SkateMCR’s current aims:
CELEBRATE
SkateMCR celebrates skateboarding in Manchester. We aim to to this by creating skate competitions and jams, organising a skate film festival and a Manchester skate festival.OPPOSE
SkateMCR opposes the byelaws banning skateboarding in Manchester’s City Centre. We will oppose the byelaws by public protest, petitions and efforts to educate the council and public about the true positive nature of skateboarding. We believe skateboarders have an equal right to use public spaces responsibly, along with other citizens.DEMAND
We demand that any Council in Greater Manchester consults with us whenever they attempt to create future skate facilities. Too often has public money been wasted on badly designed and un-usable skateparks. We will form advisory groups consisting of skaters to design and oversee the building of any skate facility.ENHANCE
We want to see the skate scene in Manchester enhanced by gaining a concrete skate plaza and an extension to the Pump Cage under the Mancunian Way. We will lobby the relevant groups or people to get such a plaza built either at the gasworks, or at the new media city development at salford quays. We will also support efforts to get funding for the extension to the Pump Cage.
If any of that stokes your heart or imagination, and if any of this following information about Co-operatives gets you excited, please, please, please come to the meeting!
A co-operative is defined as 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.
The co-operative movement is based on a set of values and principles:
Values
Co-operatives are based on the values of:
- self-help
- self-responsibility
- democracy
- equality
- equity
- 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:
1. Voluntary and Open Membership
Co-operatives are voluntary organisations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political, or religious discrimination.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
7. Concern for Community
Co-operatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies approved by their members.
Last…
Topics include the city, public space and consumerism. 
Projekts is hosting a preview of the latest exhibition from skater and artist Axel Bottenburg tomorrow from 7pm. The exhibitions opens to the public from Friday 8th Feb until 6th April.
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