"The People's Forum"
– sharing ideas that work. Over 30 info zones.
WELCOME!
Membership of EMPOWERus - "The People's Forum" and information platform is free!
Join or log in using the top menu bar.
Use the Info Zone Box (above) to move direct to information zones - or use the 'search' option on the top menu bar.
Please scroll down the main page to view news feeds, grants news, blogs and recent forum postings.
EMPOWERus is operated by Community Empowerment Ltd - a democratic charitable society for the benefit of the community....
.....in order to provide shared information and support to co-operators and community activists.
To maximise the benefits of this forum please invite others to join in and share information.
Groups can also create their own zones - either to promote their activities to others, or as private pages accessable only by their invited members....
Click on GROUPS/ZONES in the main Zone Box and then click on ADD....
Enter all of your chosen details to create your own free zone...
We recommend that you upload a photo or graphic to illustrate your zone....
REMEMBER TO ADD A LINK TO EMPOWERUS.CO FROM YOUR OWN WEBSITE...
You can then use your zone for communicating up-to-date information. Most users find that editing information in their zone is much quicker and easier than updating their website....
This is an easy and free way for you to keep people informed.
Please support our advertisers. Each click earns income to support the EMPOWERus forum:-
Just Visiting?
WELCOME!
Membership of
EMPOWERus -
"The People's Forum" and information platform is free!
NOTE: To see the full range of information zones including free support for social enterprises, volunteer exchange, c2c (co-operation between cooperatives, community organisations and charities), grants, projects, videos and photos, and to be able to post your adverts & general notices, join groups, access support and much more you need to be signed in.
The EMPOWERus platform includes a range of over 30 information zones accessed from the main menu/zone bar (or use the search facility at the top of the page).
Groups can also create their own zones - either to promote their activities to others, or as private pages accessable only by their invited members....
Click on GROUPS/ZONES in the main Zone Box and then click on ADD....
Enter all of your chosen details to create your own free zone...
We recommend that you upload a photo or graphic to illustrate your zone....
REMEMBER TO ADD A LINK TO EMPOWERUS.CO FROM YOUR OWN WEBSITE...
You can then use your zone for communicating up-to-date information. Most users find that editing information in their zone is much quicker and easier than updating their website....
This is an easy and free way for you to keep people informed.
EMPOWERus -
a mutual-self-help platform for co-operators and community activists.
What do we mean by
Mutual-Self-Help?
Download a pdf document:
Please join in....
UNLOCK the power of "The People's Forum" - register and log-in to see more information zones and to add your news & views!
PLEASE JOIN IN-
Your thoughts are important to others. This forum relies upon mutual-self-help.
NOT SURE WHERE TO POST YOUR ADVERT?
Please go straight to 'adverts & gen notices' zone >>>
and post your contribution there. (You will need to sign in first).
It is impotant not to post your messages into any of the other information zones (UNLESS you are replying directly to a subject in that area).
If you place adverts anywhere other than in the Adverts & General Notices zone you will have ALL of your postings removed and will have wasted your opportunity.
DO YOU WANT TO ADVERTISE YOUR PRODUCTS OR SERVICES?
To promote your products or services to other Co-ops, charities or community organisations, use the C2C zone option on the menu bar.
To promote your products or services in general, use the Products & Services zone option.
To advertise to the general public or post notices, use the adverts & general notices zone option.
DON'T FORGET! to maximise the benefit of your free adverts, you should both invite your existing contacts to join EMPOWERus and include links to your EMPOWERus content on your own website and in marketing emails that you circulate to prospective new customers.
GETTING INVOLVED IN GROUPS:
We have setup a few groups that we felt might interest some of our Members/visitors. Most of these are created with just the one (founder) member. The idea is that you join these and encourage others to do the same in order to get useful exchanges underway. However if you have additional ideas for new groups then please feel free to create them. Organisations can create 'groups' zones for their own members or supporters. You can choose whether your zones are open for public viewing or only available for your members.
This forum is for mutual-self-help purposes.
ADDING YOUR WEBSITE OR OTHER DETAILS (including photos, videos etc) FOR YOUR ORGANISATION.
You should see 'My Page' as an option on the menu bar (zone bar).
Go to your (or your organisation's) 'My Page' and click to enter a blog or a discussion. When the box opens for you to start typing you will also see icons which enable you to insert web links, photos, videos, etc.
In case of difficulty please email forum@empower.coop
YOU WRITE THE NEWS!
This is an interactive dynamic website!
Rather than passively reading what editors have chosen to provide to you, go ahead and add your own content to share with others.
Enter your news, comments, blogs, events, into the "Latest Activity" box.
Did you know that you also have your own "My Page" and that you can redesign it to your own taste?
GLOBAL NEWS HUB.
You can also add news about your Co-operative to the Co-operative News Global News Hub...
EMPOWER - MOBILE
The EMPOWERus platform is optimised for use with ipads - giving you access to news, views, directories and a range of information zones whilst on the move.
There is also a version of EMPOWERus available for users of smaller mobile devices such as iphones.
You will find this at:
Users of iphone can add a shortcut to the mobile site by using Safari to navigate to www.empowerus.co/m then tapping the arrow symbol (as if to make a bookmark), then choose add to homescreen, name the link as EMPOWERus and tap "Add".
Users of other mobile devices should refer to their user manuals.
The above creates a display optimised for smaller mobile devices but you can still obtain a full page view and access to the range of zones by choice from the menu at the foot of the page.
Mutual Self-help.
The intention of this forum is to offer the facility for people to exchange ideas, problems and solutions and to help each other through mutual self -help.
The success of this forum DEPENDS UPON YOU.
Please post your thoughts or questions for others to read.
Please respond to posts from other users - especially where you can add advice or information.
Please apply to join any of the on-line groups that interest you- although you are asked to accept that some zones (such as the Community Empowerment Ltd Members' Forum) are only available to those in membership.
If you are involved in a community organisation, social enterprise, charity, or special project - and would like a zone for your organisation, create a new user group and invite others to participate.
If you have problems using this site email forum@empower.coop
Join Community Empowerment
Community Empowerment Ltd is a democratic charitable society for the benefit of the community.
Membership costs just £5 per year.
Building a sustainable community of members is very important to us.
Please join today.
Further information is available at:
Help to support the EMPOWERus forum. DONATE (GB£)
The EMPOWERus forum is operated by Community Empowerment Ltd
- a charitable society for the benefit of the community.
To make either a one-off or regular donation towards our charitable activities, with the option of Gift Aid if applicable,
You can also find out more about our funding and charitable activities by visiting our website via:
http://www.empower.coop/emp/donate.html
The Peoples' Forum
Network fully functional.
If you encounter any problems using this network please email
Shared Ideas.
This information zone is for sharing ideas that really work!
Go direct to SHARED IDEAS.
We will be posting examples from our contacts and partners around the globe.
IN THE SHARED IDEAS ZONE...
you will find success stories, perhaps from other countries, that you can adapt for your own groups, co-ops or social enterprises.
* Perhaps it will be a new way of adding value to a service that you provide?
* Maybe a great social enterprise idea that you can copy or adapt?
* A source of inspiration?
Remember that if you are UK based and want to create or adapt a cooperative enterprise then we want to hear from you.
Contact us using our on-line enquiry form:
GO DIRECT to Examples of groups receiving free support via the Co-operative Enterprise Hub:
Advice & Training via the Co-operative Enterprise Hub.
Go direct to SHARED IDEAS.
For fast access to our support services and the latest shared ideas -
The People's Forum.
Mutual-Self-Help
Community Empowerment Ltd operates
to provide shared information and support to co-operators and community activists using the Co-operative Value of
"mutual-self-help".
Membership of the EMPOWERus mutual-self-help information platform and "The People's Forum" is free!
Just join or log in using the top menu bar on the Empowerus.co main page. (You will NOT see most of the content until you log in).
Use the Zone Box to move direct to over 30 information zones - or use the 'search' option on the top menu bar.
Within the information zones you will find news of Grants, Volunteer Exchange, Government Projects, and loads of other support.
You will be able to communicate and share information with thousands of other users.
Community Organisations and Social Enterprises can create their own (free) Group Zones.
On the main page you will find news feeds, grants news, blogs and recent forum postings.
We’re pleased to announce that the theme for the 91st ICA International Co-operative Day and 19th UN International Day of Co-operatives on 6th July 2013 has been decided:
“Cooperative enterprise remains strong in time of crisis”.
“La coopérative, une entreprise qui reste forte en temps de crise”
“La empresa cooperativa se mantiene fuerte en tiempos de crisis”
The International Day provides a great opportunity to celebrate the co-operative difference and will be the first time since the end of the International Year of Co-operatives to share best practice and really involve the world’s one billion co-operative members.
Latest Activity
rsgoldyouyou posted a blog postYou need to understand that game exams are a career
You will need to realize that computer game tests are a career. Sure, it's actually a actually fun job, yet it's nonetheless work nevertheless. Which means that you must address it as such as well as take every part of it seriously. Don't merely take a moment along with play in the game to get a good time. Sit down and also have fun playing the game to be able to acquire a new paycheck when you find yourself by means of. Many "wanna-be" writers feel that like a skilled video game tester can be…See More
Group Zones
-
New South Wales Co-opera…
2 members
-
Southsea Greenhouse.
1 member
-
Save Fox and Hounds Pub …
5 members
-
Co-operatives UK Members…
5 members
-
Liberia Youth WASH Coali…
1 member
-
Consolidated Youth for P…
1 member
-
Fat Club Mumbai
4 members
-
Co-op Enterprise Hub
1 member
-
Member's Websites
2 members
-
Belfast Cleaning Coopera…
1 member
-
ias point
1 member
-
ias pointias point
1 member
-
Kotsonit Solutions
1 member
-
Support Safe Water Suppl…
2 members
-
Crown Capital Management…
1 member
-
govind
1 member
-
The Adventure Capital Fu…
2 members
-
Tech Mentro-The Java Tra…
1 member
-
Drop The Tag
2 members
-
Travel Adventure Group
2 members
Events
December 29
Saturday
-
ias point
December 29, 2012 at 6am to November 30, 2013 at 11pm – jaipur, rajasthan
May 22
Wednesday
-
Seshendra Sharma's 6th Anniversary
May 22, 2013 at 6pm to May 31, 2013 at 7pm – Thyagaraya Gana Sabha
May 29
Wednesday
-
Family fun day
May 29, 2013 from 11am to 4pm – Rochdale pioneers museum
June 11
Tuesday
-
First Steps In Social Enterprise launch event
June 11, 2013 from 12pm to 4:15pm – Karibu Centre, Lambeth
June 13
Thursday
June 17
Monday
-
Evolve 2013
June 17, 2013 from 9:30am to 5:30pm – Brewey, London
June 22
Saturday
October 30
Wednesday
Forum
Co-op Bank unveils talking ATMs
Started by Geoff Wade in Co-operatives 12 minutes ago.
Nationwide mortgage lending share at record high
Started by Geoff Wade in Co-operatives 23 hours ago.
How to get ahead in ... becoming an activism co-ordinator
Started by Geoff Wade in Everything Else yesterday.
Young and dynamic: social entrepreneurship in Austria
Started by Geoff Wade in Co-operatives yesterday.
Co-operative myths: all co-operatives rotate jobs
Started by Geoff Wade in Co-operatives yesterday.
How community groups can find small companies to link with
Started by Geoff Wade in Community on Tuesday.
New Store for Willy Street Co-op?
Started by Geoff Wade in Co-operatives on Tuesday.
Bicycle co-op helps local enthusiasts learn to do repairs
Started by Geoff Wade in Co-operatives on Sunday.
Co-op Turns The Corner
Started by Geoff Wade in Co-operatives on Sunday.
Targets 'risk pupil well-being'
Started by Geoff Wade in Community on Sunday.
Blog Posts
You need to understand that game exams are a career
Posted by rsgoldyouyou on May 23, 2013 at 9:23
Weight Elimination Daily Diet Foods - Do.
Posted by Cherie Willson on May 23, 2013 at 8:39
YZTracker.
Posted by Darrel Harness on May 23, 2013 at 8:02
Co-op News
Let's Co-operate
Bears Damaging Virginia Co-op Poles - Electric Co-op Today
 Electric Co-op Today |
Bears Damaging Virginia Co-op Poles
Electric Co-op Today From what I understand, it's typically the males that do this.” What results is some of the toughest work assignments co-op crews are likely to encounter. “Replacing a pole by hand is not a pleasant experience,” said Beard. In some cases, co-op crews ... |
Co-op Insurer Denied Spot on Vt. Exchange - Valley News
 vtdigger.org |
Co-op Insurer Denied Spot on Vt. Exchange
Valley News The Vermont Health Co-op sought a certificate of public good to sell health insurance in the new state exchange under the federal Affordable Care Act. The nonprofit, mutual member-owned health insurance company failed to show the Department of ... State denies license to Vermont Health CO-OP Vt. denies license to Vt. Health Co-op State Denies License For Health CO-OP |
Co-op Bank unveils talking ATMs - Belfast Telegraph
 Your Money |
Co-op Bank unveils talking ATMs
Belfast Telegraph More than 400 ATMs, which give spoken instructions, went live yesterday and over 2,000 machines should have the facility by the end of 2014, the Co-op said. People can use the machines by plugging a headset into the ATM and the service will be open to ... Co-op rolls out 'talking ATMs' |
State drops theft charge in Spruce Head lobster co-op case - Bangor Daily News
State drops theft charge in Spruce Head lobster co-op case
Bangor Daily News State drops theft charge in Spruce Head lobster co-op case. Print this Print · E-mail this Email · Facebook this Share · Tweet this Tweet. By Stephen Betts, BDN Staff. Find on Facebook. Posted May 22, 2013, at 6:38 p.m.. ROCKLAND, Maine — The district ... |
New Pioneer Food Co-op starts expansion discussion - The Gazette: Eastern Iowa Breaking News and Headlines (blog)
 The Gazette: Eastern Iowa Breaking News and Headlines (blog) |
New Pioneer Food Co-op starts expansion discussion
The Gazette: Eastern Iowa Breaking News and Headlines (blog) The first phase on New Pioneer Food Co-op's possible expansion is in the works with several member forums scheduled to discuss the opening of a third location or the relocation of its Iowa City venue. A New Pioneer Co-op employee stocks groceries at ... |
News from Societies
Communities
Community News
Community Organisation
Community Support
Grants
Grants News
Community Activists
BUsiness News
French court questions IMF chief
IMF chief Christine Lagarde arrives at a Paris court for questioning over a payout to a tycoon when she was French finance minister.Halfords reports big drop in profits
Profits at the car parts and bicycle retailer Halfords have fallen by almost 25%, after what the company described as a "demanding" trading environment.Nissan recalls over 800,000 vehicles
Nissan says it plans to recall about 841,000 vehicles worldwide due to a faulty steering wheel.Ford to shut Australian production
Ford Motor says it will shut all its Australian manufacturing plants by October 2016, after more than 85 years making cars in the country.Twitter boosts security after hacks
Micro-blogging site Twitter says it is bringing in a two-step login for users to beef up security following recent high-profile breaches.BBC News
Flybe ends Belfast-London flights
The airline Flybe is dropping its direct flights from Belfast City Airport to London Gatwick from April 2014.Attack victim was 'in armed forces'
The man killed in south-east London on Wednesday afternoon was a member of the armed forces, senior Whitehall sources have confirmed.Victim's sister meets SDLP leader
The sister of an IRA victim is to meet the SDLP leader later over his party's decision to block a bill that would prevent former prisoners, guilty of serious offences, from becoming Stormont special advisors.Nissan recalls over 800,000 vehicles
Nissan says it plans to recall about 841,000 vehicles worldwide due to a faulty steering wheel.A&E downgrade is 'not guaranteed'
Radical NHS changes that could see an A&E unit downgraded at a south Wales hospital are not guaranteed to go ahead, a health watchdog says.Support 4 Nonprofits
Co-operatives UK.
Community Empowerment Ltd.
are members of Co-operativesUK.
Community Empowerment
EMPOWERus.co
"The People's Forum"
is operated by
Community Empowerment Ltd
- a democratic charitable society for the benefit of the community.
Visit our portal page at www.empower.coop/
More on EMPOWERus
Don't forget!
You are only seeing a part of the total content of the EMPOWERus platform.
A lot of the content is 'private' to user groups and their invited members. To see that material you would need to join the specific group(s) as applicable. Invitations are controlled by the groups themselves.
These private areas include membership communication, training courses, access to resources provided by organisations for their own membership.
You can create a zone on the EMPOWERus platform for your community organisation, charity or social enterprise
(NOT 'for profit' organisations).
Go to "groups/zones" on the main menu and then click "add" when the page displays. You will need to invite your members and/or supporters to join. Remember to publicise your group area on your own website (with a link) and in newsletters, emails etc. Inform your contacts that they will need to register on empowerus.co in order to access your pages.
JOIN Community Empowerment - a charitable society for the benefit of the community.
MEMBERSHIP of Community Empowerment costs £1 share and £5 per annum subscription.
The Co-operative Economy 2012. - the alternative to austerity!
How significant are Co-ops and Mutuals in the UK?
The Co-operative Economy 2012 - the alternatives to austerity.
The UK’s co-operative economy has outperformed the UK economy for the fourth consecutive year, with a growth of 1.5% in 2011 compared with 0.7% in the UK economy, twice the rate of the UK economy.
Annual figures released by Co-operatives UK, the trade body for co-operative businesses, show that while the real level of GDP in the UK in 2011 is 1.7% lower than in 2008, the turnover of the co-operative sector has grown by 19.5% over the same period.
‘The co-operative economy 2012 - alternatives to austerity’ details how a member-owned economy with a turnover of £35.6bn, has experienced an 8.9% rise in the number of co-operative enterprises from 5,450 in 2010 to 5,933 in 2011 and a 5.5% rise in the number of memberships from 12.8m in 2010 to 13.5m in 2011.
You can download the report and evidence:
The mutual revolution: global statistics revealed.
The scale and impact of the UK’s mutual sector is revealed in the recently published Mutuals Yearbook, launched by campaigning group Mutuo at its annual conference in London.
Despite the recession, mutual businesses and organisations are set to achieve record revenue figures of £116 billion – a £4bn increase on last year’s total. Mutuo calculates that there are 17,897 mutuals in the country – a small drop on the 2011 figure – and over a million people employed in the sector.
Altogether, according to the Yearbook, there are 5,933 co-ops in the UK; 338 Co-operative Trust schools; 9,006 clubs and societies; 184 football and rugby supporters trusts; 250 employee-owned businesses; 55 mutual insurers and friendly societies; 47 mutual building societies; 424 credit unions; 144 NHS Foundation Trusts and 1,516 housing associations.
If you are considering setting up a new Co-operative within the UK (or if you would like support in expanding your existing UK Co-operative) then use the enquiry form here:
GO DIRECT to Examples of groups receiving free support via the Co-operative Enterprise Hub:
Co-operative Enterprise Hub
To date, around 700 new and existing co-operatives have received free advice and training from The Co-operative Enterprise Hub.
Whether it’s a chalet park or a social research company, co-operatives from Cumbria to Cornwall have all benefitted from the tailored support that the Enterprise Hub offers. We are working together to grow the co-operative economy in the UK.
The Co-operative Enterprise hub runs a programme to provide support to other co-operatives across the UK. The Advice and Training programme enables new and existing co-operatives to receive expert support to develop as successful co-operative businesses.
The programme is delivered at a regional level through co-operative consortia of Co-operative Development Bodies and other partners.
The aim of the programme is to provide a range of expertise for emerging and developing co operatives. Co-ops can apply to receive up to four days of support, which could include business planning, feasibility studies or legal and governance advice. It might be sector specific advice in fields such as community services, credit unions or retail.
There are many forms and structures that Co-operatives might take. We can help you to decide which suits your organisation. We may help with Industrial & Provident Society structures or Company structures.
To find out more or to apply for free support, please visit our group website using the following link:
GO DIRECT to Examples of groups receiving free support via the Co-operative Enterprise Hub:
Advice & Training via the Co-operative Enterprise Hub.
Community Empowerment Ltd
Community Empowerment Ltd is a charitable society for the benefit of the community.
It brings together individuals and groups that strive to place power into communities, giving people the tools to take control of their destiny and the destiny of their communities. It is for people that want to 'do something' for the good of society.
To this end it champions Mutual self-help which is people supporting each other to achieve shared aims.
WE ARE A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY - based upon One Member - One Vote.
MEMBERSHIPcosts just £5 per year.
We support those that are prepared to support themselves and others.
We are involved in 'welfare-to-work' helping people to improve their employability, primarily through our "Community Routes into Employment" project which seconds unemployed volunteers to community organisations.
There is a similar project, operated by our associated Community Interest Company "Co-operative Admin Solutions" for enterprises.
We specialise in co-operative and mutual structures and governance, NOT only for social enterprises but also for community development needs.
For further information visit our WEBSITE.
If you support our aims and objectives then please become a MEMBER.
Co-operative Admin Solutions CIC
Co-operative Admin Solutions CIC is part of The Community Empowerment Group.
It offers a range of "back-office" support solutions to social enterprises and charities, removing admin 'chores' so that you can concentrate upon your core activities whether that be service or product delivery, or fund raising.
Trading 'profits' from Co-operative Admin Solutions CIC support the charitable society.
We also offer the "Enterprise Routes into Employment" project
(in partnership with Co-operative Education Solutions CIC) which seconds work experience voluteers and personnel into enterprise.
For an indicative pricelist (PDF) of our core services please click on the following link:
For details of our payroll services please click on the following link:
For details of our low cost Web page and E-Newsletter services please click on the following link:
To obtain a template to estimate "back office" and admin support please click on the following link:
For a no-obligation enquiry form please click on the following link:
You can also email us at:
Co-operative Education Solutions CIC
Co-operative Education Solutions CIC
Our aim is to help people take control over their destiny through:
* mutual-self-help (helping yourself through helping others)
* citizenship education (training to take a full part in society)
* co-operation (applying the established and proven benefits of co-operation to a range of issues)
* community empowerment (helping communities to take control of services that matter to them).
To this end we encourage and support UK citizens in:
* Volunteering
* The creation of employment
* The retention of employment
* Developing and governing co-operative organisations
* Conflict Regulation.
We offer:
* A free mutual-self-help forum ("The People's Forum") at www.EMPOWERus.co
* Pre-designed and bespoke training courses
* Enterprise Clubs (in partnership with JCP)
* Community Routes into emplyment placements (in partnership with JCP).
We also offer:
* A range of informative and educational documents, for schools & colleges, for free download in PDF format.
Co-operative Education Solutions CIC
Co-operative Service Solutions CIC
Co-operative Service Solutions CIC
We provide services to established enterprises as well as incubation and social laboratory support to new and potential social enterprises.
Support for Co-operatives, mutuals and social enterprises within the UK.
© 2013 Created by Geoff Wade.
INFORMATION and USEFUL LINKS:
APPLY HERE: Support for Co-operatives, mutuals and social enterprises within the UK.
The Community Empowerment Group have worked with Formstack for several years to ensure consistent and reliable data collection and storage.
If you would benefit from a similar service then check out Formstack for a Free Trial.
Charities/non-profits also receive discounts on their chargeable services.
A Lifetime of support for Co-operative Values...
Would you like your support to continue in memory of you?
Are you planning to start a new Co-operative?
Or convert/expand an existing enterprise into a Co-operative?
You may qualify for free support from the Co-operative Enterprise Hub.
Community Empowerment Ltd and a number of other Co-operative Development Bodies deliver Advice & Training within this scheme.
Please use the link to the enquiry form (below).
Work Together - E magazine for Co-operatives.
ADVERTS BY GOOGLE.
