We are a self-managed project, meaning that each and every single one of us is expected to contribute working hours to maintaining and running the coop by taking on some responsibility in the form of a role. With 106 members, the co-operative is a great place to learn new skills! There are chances for business training, practical skills training, the chance to lead workshops and learn organisational skills and about processes like consensus decision-making.
We organise our work horizontally (i.e. we strive to eliminate hierarchies) in Working Groups (WGs) with various roles. Each WG meets once a week; proposals from WGs are brought to a bi-weekly General Meeting (GM) for wider co-op discussion and approval. The Working Groups are:
Places
Putting the ‘operation’ in ‘co-operation’. Find out in this WG why the building looks as good as it does and how all the appliances are still working. If you’re good with your hands or keen to learn, this is for you.
Places WG Co-convenor: Convene the weekly working group meetings
28 Basement Coordinator: Overlook the use of the basement of building 28 Wright’s Houses
Flat and Communal Cleanliness Coordinator: Perform flat cleanliness checks and pest control education and organise the cleaning of communal spaces
Courtyard Manager: Maintain the courtyard and garden
Places and Maintenance Budgeteer: Manage the Maintenance and Places WG budget and reimbursements
Supplies Stock Liaison: Manage stock of communal supplies
Librarian: Care for the ESHC Library
Fire Warden and HMO Coordinator: Ensure fire safety and HMO standards are met and ensure security of coop buildings
Master Key Holder: Hold the Master Key
Maintentance
Working Closely with the Places WG. This Group keeps the buildings safe and efficient and ensures a good amount of money is being given to the upkeep of the flats.
Membership WG Co-convenor: Convene the weekly working group meetings
ESHC & Membership Emailer: Manage the coop’s general email inbox
Website Manager: Manage the ESHC website from a logistical and administrative standpoint
Applications Coordinator: Manage the application process
Move-In/Out Coordinator: Coordinate members moving in and out
Flat Allocator: Allocate new members to flats and assist with shuffles
Subletting Coordinator: Manage approval and registration of subletters
Welcome Coordinator: Ensure that new members have a smooth transition into the co-op by organising welcome events and coordinating the buddy system.
Finance
Money money money! The Finance WG makes sure we’ve got the bucks to continue existing and flourishing, and that bills are paid on time. Artfully balancing budget sheets and dealing with invoices is your thing? You’ll fit right in here.
Finance Co-convenor: Convene the weekly working group meetings
Rent Manager: Manage members’ rent payments
Deposit, Share and Inventory Manager: Manage deposits and shares
ESHC Budgeteer: Plan and keep track of the overall ESHC budget
FCA and HMRC liason: Submit mandatory filings such as Annual Returns to FCA on behalf of ESHC as a mutual society
Rent Reductions Manager: Manage the rent reductions process, liaising with rent managers, rent reductions taskforce, and members applying for rent reductions.
Energy Manager: Manage our electricity consumption
Bank Signatory: Manage ESHC’s bank account & do reimbursements
Participation
This WG is pretty self-reflective and addresses the democratic structures of the co-op to help make getting involved and having your voice heard more effective. If equality ticks your box, get to this WG.
Participation WG Co-convenor: Convene the weekly working group meetings
General Meeting Co-convenor: Organise bi-weekly general meetings
Policy Manager and Archivist: Document all active policies passed at GMs
Work Share Plan Coordinators: Coordinate the work sharing plan for each Working group
Training Coordinator: Facilitate training for new role-holders
Internet Specialist: Maintain the coop’s internet & intranet
Communication and Outreach
This group deals with all things social and community orientated. From outreach to parties, and event planning to documenting our lives. If people and their welfare are your jam, this is the WG for you.
C+O WG Co-convenor: Convene the weekly working group meetings
Communal Space Coordinator: Coordinate the use of the basement and garden
Website Manager: Manage the ESHC website from an outreach standpoint
C+O Emailer: the C+O emailer is responsible for reaching out to other organizations and staying in touch with them over email
Partner Organisation Laison: Liaise with organisations the coop engages with and would like to stay in touch with
Cooperative Outreach Coordinator: Coordinate outreach efforts to other co-ops.
Property Developer: Search for new properties
PfP and Advisory group Coordinator: Coordinate Advisory group and our relationship with the building owners
Social Media Manager: Maintain ESHC’s social media accounts
Alumni Member Networker: Maintain a network of coop alumni
Grants Application Coordinator and Taskforce: Research and apply to grant opportunities to secure funding for the co-op
Welfare
Conflict resolution, upholding the Safer Spaces Policy and supporting members is their realm. So if you’re concerned for the welfare of others and have a knack for mediation and peer-counselling, Welfare WG might be your place.