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.
Procedures WG Co-convenor: Convene the weekly working group meetings
ESHC & Procedures Emailer: Manage the coop’s general email inbox
Website Manager: Manage the ESHC website
CRE Coordinator: Coordinate our relationship with the building owners
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
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 Finance WG 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
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 convenor: Organise bi-weekly general meetings
Policy Manager: Document all active policies passed at GMs
Work Share Plan Coordinator: Coordinate the work sharing plan
Weekly Digest Writer: Write the weekly coop newsletter
Training Coordinator: Facilitate training for new role-holders
People
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.
People WG Co-convenor: Convene the weekly working group meetings
Communal Space Coordinator: Coordinate the use of the basement and garden
Event Coordinator: Organise regular coop events
Social Media Manager: Maintain ESHC’s social media accounts
Alumni Member Networker: Maintain a network of coop alumni
Filmmaker and Documentarian: Produce films and documentaries of the coop
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.
Welfare Coordinator: Support the welfare of coop members
Principle 6
The obscure name for this group comes from the 6th of the 7 cooperative principles: cooperation among cooperatives. The members in this group are in touch with our umbrella organisations – Student Coop Homes (SCH) and Students for Cooperation (SfC) – to contribute to the wider coop movement. Keen on more housing coops elsewhere? This is the working group for you!